If you read my last post, Lessons Learned, or if you’re part of the Mental Health Community on Twitter, you know there has been a debate going on about positive thinking. I think (I hope!!) it’s over now, but it has resulted in a member of our community abandoning his blog to take care of his mental health. As a member of the community, I am ashamed. The community is meant to be an outlet, a place where we are safe to be ourselves and discuss our mental health experiences. It’s place where we can ask for advice, support each other, swap stories and make friends. It’s not supposed to be a place of stress and anxiety, a place where we are afraid to express our opinions and make people feel unwelcome.
Like I said in my last post, I am not taking sides as I adore members of both parties and I am sticking to the views I expressed in Lessons Learned. I am taking part in the #positiveprotest because no member of our community should feel like they have to leave. We are all entitled to our own opinions, although I know some are more enthusiastic than others, we should respect each other and agree to disagree when it comes down to it.
So what is the #positiveprotest?
Well, it’s not really a protest, more of a project, but that hashtag was taken. It’s carrying on the work that was abruptly abandoned, but, we’re getting back to the basics of positive thinking. It is not a solution, it is not an obligation and sometimes, it’s too hard to do, but it is there. Positivity is a tool that is available for you to use to help improve your outlook. It is meant to make you stop and smell the roses, to make you and those around you smile.
How does #positiveprotest work?
- it’s about sharing one positive a day on Twitter, using the #positiveprotest hashtag.
- It’s about getting back to the basics of positive thinking.
- Use the hashtag to compare positives with others, RT and share if you want to.
- There is no obligation to post a positive everyday. Drop in and out as often as you like, its supposed to be fun!
- Hayley from Calm Kitchen has made a blog badge/twitter cover that you can use if you want to. You can contact her here or on twitter @CalmKitchen
So that’s all folks. I hope you’ll join in, but there is no obligation. Let’s get our community back to the safe haven it used to be!
Somber Scribbler 