A short post this week and something of a recap. I wrote about the importance of trying to maintain a positive outlook on life back in June ( link here ), a fairly lengthy post in which I referenced my something which made me smile today daily list, motivational images I keep, a desire to achieve, a passion for writing, and prioritising. I also recently wrote about the importance of family and friends in my life ( link here ). However, without going into detail, a few things I’ve seen or heard lately have prompted me to revisit these themes.

I’m typing this post following the clocks going back earlier this morning, which means that we are careering headlong toward the end of the year and it will soon be dark here in the UK at around 5pm. I can fully understand why SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder) is a genuine condition; I don’t know a single person who prefers it when the dark winter nights draw in and the temperature plummets.

At times like these, particularly with the weather having been as grim as it has been over the past few days, it’s very easy to get down in the dumps. The changing of the seasons isn’t the only reason either. I’m yet to meet anyone who has ‘the perfect life’ and I doubt I ever will. We all have issues which can weigh heavy on our shoulders, whether they be health, family, financial, work-based, or a myriad of other reasons. Life isn’t easy and that’s why it is vitally important to look for the positives as a way to counterbalance the bleaker element of life.

I’ve previously written about the importance of family and friends but there are other affirmations I try to remind myself of on a daily basis. As far as I’m aware, I’m relatively fit and healthy. I have a nice home which provides warmth and comfort. I have a job which allows me and my immediate family to live a comfortable life. I have a dog and she brings me love and happiness on a daily basis. I have books to read, I have guitars to play, we have good food on the table every night. I’ve even recently taken to photographing sunrises and sunsets on my phone whenever the opportunity arises and I certainly appreciate nature’s beauty much more often than I used to.

The positives will be different for everyone. Some may identify with what I’ve listed above, some may find the examples trite and irrelevant. The key is to look for whatever you’re grateful for; whatever makes you smile; whatever makes life a little easier. The facts remain stark – mental health is a huge issue, particularly in the UK. Thankfully we, as a society, are getting better at opening up and bringing these issues into the open. However, we can and must try to help ourselves as frequently as possible. We live in a pretty messed up world at the moment (in my humble opinion…) but the positives are there if we look for them. We are bombarded with negativity and bad news – it frequently appears to be the modus operandi of the printed press, TV news networks and certain social media feeds these days. Let’s try to remember the many good things in our lives – in this day and age, it is absolutely essential to do so.

Thanks for reading and please do take care.

Mick