It’s easy (and understandable) to become trapped in negative thinking at times like this – stuck at home, isolated, and unsure of the future. But the smallest action, daily ritual or mantra can be a perfect and priceless antidote.
We’re asking members of our UNE community to share with us what is bringing them joy and hope.
“The cliches we are hearing, to ‘be positive’ during these difficult times, can actually do more harm than good if people deny reality; I call it engaging in toxic positivity,” says Associate Professor Navjot Bhullar, from UNE’s School of Psychology.
“I prefer to see life in its full entirety – that it has its share of difficult times, sadness, suffering and loss, along with the good experiences. This gives me a sense of perspective.
“It’s also OK not to feel OK under the current circumstances. I accept emotions as they are and focus on controlling the controllables.
“There are two key things that keep me going when the chips are down.
"Firstly, I continue to maintain my connection with nature via gardening or going for a walk and soaking up the warmth of the sun.
"My native garden is a source of immense joy and solace, and a template of what resilience actually looks like.
"It has survived the drought and is now a sea of yellow wattles and red grevilleas, and it is a pleasure to see bees, birds and other animals enjoying the garden.
“Secondly, I find comfort in listening to music.
"I have rediscovered my love for The Boss (Bruce Springsteen) among a couple of other artists.
" I play a different song depending on my mood on that particular day and it is interesting to see fluctuations in my own mood in real time. It is a great feedback loop.”
