Opinion: we need to let go of negativity, live in the moment and savour life's rich pleasures
Living life under a constant pandemic cloud has resulted in mental health and emotional issues becoming strong contenders for first place at the forefront of public health concerns worldwide. Consequently, many individuals are suffering from elevated levels of anxiety, anger, loneliness and despair. With the resilience of our nation at stake, we need to find hope, peace and contentment now more than ever. What if we could retrain our brain to shift from a negative mind-set to a positive one?
We are all acutely aware of the distinction between living a positive or negative life. However, while the desire to live a good and meaningful life generally comes naturally, the means to constantly achieve this way of being can be challenging to sustain over prolonged periods of time.
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The truth is that meaning is not something that exists outside of ourselves. It is not some cosmic universal truth waiting to be discovered. We have the power to become the master of our own destiny. Here are five simple steps that will help you to let go of negativity, live in the moment, savour life's pleasures and develop a blueprint for personal transformational change.
Decluttering
A life full of clutter increases the propensity for stress and quite frankly drains our energy. It is mentally exhausiting to be constantly looking at eye sores, chaos or repeatedly searching for items we keep on losing.
When we physically declutter our lives, we also declutter our minds. The secret to success begins by always setting yourself a task that you can achieve relatively quickly, so begin small. Pick a press in your kitchen, or a drawer in your bedroom. The key principles are to be prepared to throw away what is out of date or unsalvageable and to re-gift or donate within a very quick timeframe, whatever you find that no longer has a purpose in your life. I call this snack decluttering, as results can be achieved in a very short period of time. When the job is done, take a moment to enjoy and savour the feeling of achievement.
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From RTÉ Radio 1s Today with Claire Byrne, journalist Philip Nolan and decluttering expert Suzy Kell on decluttering your home
Relationships
One of the most significant sources of a meaningful life is a meaningful relationship and the pandemic has highlighted the vital role that deep connections play in our overall wellbeing. From acquaintances to romances, relationships have the potential to enrich our lives. Past research indicates that individuals with supportive and rewarding relationships have better mental health, higher levels of emotional wellbeing and lower rates of morbidity and mortality.
Relationships are integral to our sense of belonging. Being in a reciprocal relationship where you are valued for who you are intrinsically and where you value others should never be underestimated or taken for granted.
If we recognise our significant relationship as being a healthy partnership, nurturing it might be the most important investment we can make. While large-scale displays of love create wonderful moments, it is not the once off, large romantic demonstrations that highlight the success of a relationship, but the small acts of everyday love and kindness that bind long-term couples together.
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From RTÉ Radio 1's Ray D'Arcy Show, relationsip advice from psychologist Allison Keating and psychoanalyst Ray O'Neill
Positive emotions
Positive emotions serve as indicators of flourishing, or optimal wellbeing, which result in feelings of joy, interest, contentment and love. These emotions increase our propensity to perform better at work, boost our physical health by strengthening the immune system and increase our social connections because feeling good is contagious.
We can increase our positive emotions by opening our hearts and minds. When we lift ourselves out of the hustle and bustle of our daily grind, our sense of self fades and we begin to notice the wonders of life, so look for them, appreciate them, savour and absorb them. By expressing your gratitude daily, you open your body and soul to a more meaningful life.
The power to let go of negative emotion can help us to find inner peace
Having a purpose
There are multiple interpretations of what a life purpose is. For some people, purpose is connected to a higher calling, for others it is being involved in meaningful, satisfying work. For others, their purpose lies in their responsibilities to their family or friends. The most important thing, is to identify your life purpose. Ask yourself what motivates you, what are you passionate about? Once identified, conscious living can begin. A clear purpose can help to guide our life decisions, influence our behaviour and shape our goals.
Releasing negative emotions
The power to let go of negative emotion can help us to find inner peace. This can be a conversation or a private ritual where we acknowledge our hurt, pain and/or guilt and grant ourselves permission to release the toxic feelings that we may harbour. The poisonous effects of negativity significantly decrease when we are no longer entangled in its web. This process can support people to redefine their lives through redemption, growth and love.
The views expressed here are those of the author and do not represent or reflect the views of RTÉ
