Have you ever wondered what it would be like to never have negativity in your life? I have! Imagine a life with no negative thoughts, comments, situations, relationships etc. But unfortunately, this is not realistic. 

What if we were to look for the positives in all the negative situations we face? I know what you’re thinking… that is impossible? But actually, negativity can often inspire you to make a lot of positive choices and even see beyond the negativity. 

I don’t know about you, but for me initially, COVID-19 really upset and worried me. I was upset with seeing the number of deaths rising and cried when I thought about what their families were going through. I was worried about the health and safety of my family and I was worried about the mental health of my friends... the list goes on.

I was following all the safety guidelines but felt completely powerless beyond that; it was consuming me. I needed to find some positives to counteract all the negativity for my own mental health and work productivity. COVID-19 is out of my control. There is only so much I can do for my community and to prevent my friends and family from getting the disease. So I had to put that upset to the back of my mind and focus on me. By pressing pause, I looked for the positives to focus on.

The lockdown has given me time to take stock and think about my future. I have had a chance to look at my wellbeing and write a plan to boost my health and fitness. I have looked at how I can work smarter with a daily routine and set deadlines for work task. I have also started using my free time to learn the piano and use my creativity to make resources to help others through this difficult time.

Now that I have changed my focus, I experience moments of joy and laughter; not just sadness. Sometime I feel a little guilt for these moments because of what the whole world is going through but I've just got to let that go. I am living in the moment and taking each day as it comes. 

I’m feeling a lot more at ease about COVID-19 now that I have accepted it is out of my control and that I am doing all I can do by following all the government safety guidelines. I am feeling a lot of gratitude towards the NHS for all that they have done; not just now, but my whole life! I am also feeling very grateful for the freedom and little things I took for granted before lockdown. 

Even though this has happened because of such a tragic and upsetting reason, I really believe that a lockdown is what we all needed. Time! Time to be with ourselves. Time to let our thoughts wonder. Time to rest. Time to build relationships. Time for creativity. Time to think about others. COVID-19 has brought us all together! 

Let’s find the positives in negative situations. You never know what can be achieved!