Thoughts on Positivity and Stress

“Life’s too short to worry about anything for more than 30 seconds.”

– Tony Robbins

I love a good Tony Robbins quote, but this one has stuck with me for over a year since hearing him discussing well-being on Tim Ferris’ podcast.

He talks about how we can choose to be in either a ‘beautiful’ mental state (where you feel love and gratitude, and like you’re in harmony with the world) , or a ‘suffering’ mental state (where you feel stressed, worried and overwhelmed).

^ Hunter boots*

We’re all prone to getting ourselves stuck in a ‘suffering’ state every now and then (if not permanently!), and I loved how Tony went on to say that everyone has their own favourite ‘flavours’ of suffering (ie. self pity, jealousy, anxiety). Like for example, I don’t usually find myself feeling anger or frustration – but I’ll often feel jealousy or worry.

There’s no magic way to transform your ‘suffering’ state into a ‘beautiful one, I’m sure. But I do agree that a lot of your mental and emotional state is based upon your own decisions, and how you decide to react to situations.

This is why I loved the quote at the top of this blog post so much. I know it’s cliche to say but life is short; too short to spend time suffering and NOT being in a beautiful state where you feel joy about the world around.

How can you justify worrying about something, or being angry or jealous or sad about something, for more than 30 seconds when life is so temporary?

^ Bracelet from Tideline Treasure (use code ANNA10 for 10% off!)*

Yes I get it, sometimes you need to feel these emotions – of stress or sadness or heartbreak – in order to move forward. It’s what makes us human, BUT it’s definitely worth remembering how precious your time is, and how each of us deserves to spend our waking moments in a state of harmony and peace.

Tony Robbins said that he sets a 30 second timer on things he is worried about or angry about or sad about, and concerns himself with them for only that length of time. Then, he stops worrying about them altogether, and moves on.

^ Jumper from AllSaints (still in the sale with 50% off!!)*

I love this idea, and I think it’s a great way to make sure your mindset is always light and free; and that you’re not bogged down in a constant ‘suffering’ state.

I want to be happy and enjoy life, not waste moments feeling sorry for myself of envious of others, or entertaining negative thoughts and suffocating feelings of stress. But the only way to do that is to consciously push those feelings away and move on, while remembering to treasure your time.

^ Jacket from Trespass*

What do you do to shake off feelings of stress and other ‘suffering’ states? Is there a strategy you have to make you feel more positive?

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