I’ll Have One Pandemic With a Side of Gratefulness Please

“I don’t have to chase extraordinary moments to find happiness - It’s right in front of me if I’m paying attention and practicing gratitude” - Brene’ Brown

Let’s face the inevitable fact: life is hard.  

Whether you’re a college student navigating the end of the semester, or an SEC football fan on a Monday morning following a disappointing loss, life is not easy. 

Society, however, has long reinforced the notion that focusing on or even acknowledging life’s many difficulties makes us weak, inadequate or ungrateful. Instead we’re told to toughen up. To rub some dirt on it. To stop our complaining. To quit the whining. Yet in the mental health and wellness realm, this narrative is beginning to take an interesting turn. 

Researchers, authors, and clinicians are all focusing more and more on the impact of toxic positivity and instead embracing sitting in negative feelings or hard times (for example, during an ongoing global pandemic).  

(source: @heyamberrae)

This article in The Atlantic, The Opposite of Toxic Positivity, offers some perspective on both “toxic positivity” and “tragic optimism.” Each may be an unfamiliar term and may be helpful for anyone who’s having a hard time.   

This doesn’t mean gratitude is useless. It’s still extremely relevant (science says so, as the article indicates). Yet in the end, we all must embrace whatever coping strategies and approaches work best for us and our lifestyle. You can choose to embrace positivity, but don’t be ashamed or afraid to spend some time sitting in negativity, either.  

For support and guidance throughout your college career as an LSU student-athlete, reach out to your resources. It’s often the hardest step, but the most rewarding.

Sport Performance & Counseling:

GeauxBeWell@lsu.edu