Having A Positive Outlook
There seems to be a growing trend of opting for the negative lately, where people feel that it’s acceptable to go for cheap shots, cruel jabs, and uncalled-for rude comments. In the last month I’ve had comments such as ‘why didn’t you lose weight before your wedding’ and ‘your way too fat that skirt’, which was followed by a smiley face as though they were doing me a favour. It got me wondering, whatever happened to ‘if you haven’t got anything nice to say, then don’t say anything at all!’
I’ve discussed this growing trend with a number of friends and bloggers, it seems that even the most popular, prettiest and skinniest bloggers also get ‘fat’, ‘ugly’ and other cruel jibes, it is as though no one is untouched from the negativity swirling round social media and the internet. I’ve come to realise over the past five years of doing Fashionista Barbie that you can’t please everyone or even anyone at times, there will always be someone to tear you down, sadly, and you just have to remember not to let them, which isn’t as easy as it sounds. No matter how much I love social media it really has made it easier for people to be nasty, so I was thinking about ways to bring more positivity into the world.
Just think it only takes a couple of seconds to smile nicely, give out a complement via Instagram instead of just double-tapping, hold a door open for someone, and I really do go by the ethos that being a nice person brings you more joy. Another one of my live-by rules has to be that you should treat people how you wish to be treated, as I really do believe that you get back what you give out to the world, good or bad, and wouldn’t you rather that be good karma?
Positive Thoughts
Want to give out positivity, then start by thinking positively. I know this is easier said than done, I’m a worrier a lot of the time, so I understand how hard it is to shift your mindset into thinking more positively, but it really does make a difference being optimistic rather than pessimistic. Is your glass half full or half empty?
Start small, I love to write down one thing that was positive about the day, granted some days are easier than others, but I find that it really helps to end the day on a positive note and it makes it easier for me to get a good night’s sleep.
Be Kind
I’m not going to preach, but I think some people, especially on social media have forgotten how to be kind, it is as though all manners have gone out of the window. Think before you tweet, comment or post, I’m not saying sleep on it, but everything doesn’t need to be done in an instant, and also consider how your comment will make the recipient feel.
One act of kindness in this crazy world of blogging is if you love it, share it. That could be anything from retweeting or tweeting a link to a great blog, pinning pictures for inspiration, or even liking their instagram snaps. When I first started blogging I loved the community vibe, that seems to have faded in recent years and it would be nice to get it back.
Go To The Beat Of Your Own Drum
This is the most important tip of all, remembering that everyone is different, and remembering that it is OK to not be the same as everyone else. It is so easy to get wrapped up in what everyone else is doing, wonder why they were invited over you, why you didn’t get chosen for a certain press trip or campaign, and I find with Instagram it is so easy to get caught up in another blogger’s wonderful life. But I’ve also come to realise, just like I know Snapchat isn’t for me or my blog, is that everyone has their own path, their own style, and t’internet really can cope with all our different voices. So what I’m saying is embrace yourself and try not to compare, it really will help you embrace the world with a more positive focus.
I hope my musings were useful, I just wanted to try and do my bit to stop this negative cycle we seem to be in, oh and I love sharing some of my favourite inspirational quotes. I totally recommend printing them off and pinning them to a real board, but Pinterest also works just as well!!!
Stay positive guys x
