The pursuit of all things positive is strewn with obstacles.

• The current political environment
• Daily life frustrations (like lousy customer service, stressed-out family and friends)
• Compounded by a history of bad experiences

Even the most committed Pollyanna-types buckle under the onslaught. So, how do we get our footing again?

Positive Pollyanna

As a self-professed Pollyanna, I look for the good in every situation. The past few years have been a real challenge in that regard. This post first published in 2014. It seems a lifetime ago. I added Be Positive to my 2025 goals to try to return to a time when I was better at being positive.

Even in today’s volatile, truth-defying social media world, positive exists. But the pursuit has evolved into a world-class obstacle course. When I become overwhelmed by the bombastic barrage of negative nonsense, I fall back to the most basic survival tool.

Breathe. Just breathe.

Close your eyes and listen to your truth.

Positive Truth

Remaining positive when life slaps you in the face is hard. That’s when you need to pursue the positive truths hidden in the recesses of your mind.

Let’s use an example of impending work layoffs. For U.S. federal employees and many others, that current threat is all too real. It’s frightening and made more so by the feeling of no control.

I faced more than one layoff in my past corporate life. It’s tough not to panic. It’s much easier said than done, but I tried to follow my path to the positive truth that I would be okay.

Accept the Emotions

The assault of emotions can be crippling – anger, fear, sadness – and in some cases, relief. Finally escaping a toxic environment (even if I was pushed out the door) was like a giant exhale. I could breathe – just breathe.

Give yourself time. Rushing to apply for work everywhere often feeds into your most negative thoughts. Instead, take baby steps and focus on something that brings you comfort.

Find Comfort in Small Acts

After a company that was the poster child for toxic fired me, I was a mental and physical wreck. Stress contributed to me being ridiculously out of shape. So, I began walking – daily.

The combination of physical activity and being outside was a lifesaver (literally). I began noticing the simple pleasures of life. Green leaves, the sound of the ocean waves, and beautiful sunsets.

Find your small comfort.

REVISIT SOMETHING YOU LOVED but somehow abandoned along the way (a hobby, a sport, or reading a good book).

TAP INTO ACTIVITIES you’ve been meaning to do (writing poetry, growing your own herbs, taking a free class).

THINK SMALL AND START. Even baby steps move you forward.

There’s comfort in finishing the simplest of tasks. You’ll remind yourself that you can succeed, and you are worth the effort.

Open the Door

The shock and fear of losing a job, a loved one, or some other trauma has many of us retreating into a cave of isolation. Despite being a middle child of seven and having a huge family, I have a strong need to be alone. But there’s a difference between alone time and isolation.

Alone time is healing. Isolation shuts the door on life.

Remember that toxic job I was fired from? I was a manager and had a tight bond with my supervisory unit. We had gone through a lot.

• The loss of one of us to cancer.
• An employee who set two fires within the office (I kid you not).
• And a crushing backlog of work.

Overnight I was separated from these people who were my lifeline. The worst part was when no one called me after I was fired. Why? As one of my supervisors later told me, we didn’t know what to say and we weren’t sure how you were doing. Basically, it was uncomfortable.

It was only after I reached out and asked them to meet for drinks that we rekindled that bond. I was so glad I did. Sure, I was angry at first. Hurt. But I needed the validation that we were okay. I needed the support.

Move On

Baby steps help you get ready to move on. I took a temporary job while I looked for my next position. I had spent over 20 years in management and was surprised at the unexpected gift of that temporary job. I viewed it for what it was – a job and temporary.

• I no longer took work home (physically or mentally).
• I showed up and put in my best effort.
• Then I walked out the door and back into my life.

Positive Life

When you focus on what you’re grateful for and remember the smiles you’ve had, you awaken your inner child who believes in endless possibilities.

• See the potential of a new path.
• Embrace change to uncover something better.
• Transform your response.

Capture the possibilities of life.

Note: This February 16, 2025 post updates the original that posted on July 9, 2014.

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