Here in the U.S., it's the day after Election Day.

Depending on how things went, you might be euphoric, relieved, disappointed, angry, fearful, anxious, neutral, or somewhere in between. 

I went down a bit of a rabbit hole this morning. Something didn't pass in my state that I felt was important for the future health of my daughter and granddaughters. Heavy thoughts swirled around in my mind, and I could feel them swallowing up my joy.

I wanted to move past those feelings, but I had to wrestle with a part of me that felt justified and wanted to hold on to the anger. I had to let go of an old belief that somehow my worry or anger would change things.


Silly me. I know it doesn't! It just makes me tired and can lead me to habits that don't serve me, like reaching for comfort foods loaded with carbs and sugar.

I want to enjoy my life! I want to appreciate my blessings, notice all the things that are going right, and have the energy to make positive choices and make positive things happen.

So I redirected my attention. It took effort, but it was so worth it. I felt good again and the world was no longer a dark place! I was able to do yoga, go for a hike, bask in all the positives!!!, and write this newsletter. A much more joyful way to spend my day.

But I know I'm not alone. Our brains have what's called a negativity bias. We're wired to give more attention to potential threats and problems than to positive experiences. It's why one thing going wrong can overshadow ten things going right.

But we can practice directing our attention toward the positive. By noticing and appreciating what's going right, more consistently, going to a positivity bias can become easier and may even become your default.

Sometimes I can turn things around in seconds. Other times it takes hours or even days. It's a journey, I've proven to myself, so worth taking.

I notice my negativity bias in my "Yay, BUTs..."

Yay, that problem is solved, but what about the next one?

Yay, things are working out right now, but what if they don't last?

Sound familiar?

When I feel good, I feel good!!! YAY!

And when I feel good, I can show up for my life with more positive energy for myself and the people I love.

Next time you catch yourself in a "Yay, but..." moment, take a pause, and redirect.

Don't let the BUT steal the YAY!

If you'd like help in moving past your negativity bias, sign up for my Holiday Special, a ninety-minute session at a very attractive price.

There is no better gift than feeling good in the now moment.

In joy,
Sharon