Positivity, activate!

October 2, 2012 11:03 AM

Feel-good poems/quotes/music/activities--basically seeking an avalanche of positive stuff!

As I've gotten older I've found that I'm more prone to being grumpy or falling into funks. I want to work on becoming a more overall positive and optimistic person. To that end, what are some reads/poems/songs that help you feel more upbeat? Are there any mental hacks you utilize when you feel yourself starting to grump up? Or from past experience, what have you done that made you feel like the best you?

posted by sprezzy to grab bag (10 answers total)

"Fruity" Rudy Reyes (as seen portraying himself in the Generation Kill miniseries or here demonstrating some body weight training) is a notoriously positive and "feely" fellow. Hence the sobriquet. You may enjoy looking into his stuff further.
posted by mr. digits at 11:39 AM on October 2, 2012

I'm not sure whether this is the same question as you are asking, or the inverse of the question you are asking, but a couple months ago we talked about Poetry for the Hard Times.
posted by gauche at 11:42 AM on October 2, 2012

Ze Frank's Chillout Song always makes me feel better.
posted by JuliaJellicoe at 11:57 AM on October 2, 2012

A couple of weeks ago, I noticed a new poster in the hallway at work. It was a crummy, blotchy photocopy stuffed into a sheet protector, with the cringe-inducing word "Kindsight" printed on it. When I looked closer, it said:

View your life with "kindsight". Stop beating yourself up about things from your past. Instead of slapping your forehead and asking, "What was I thinking?" Breathe and ask yourself the kinder question, "What was I learning?"

Honestly, it really stuck with me. Usually when I feel bummed it's about something stupid in the past, and thinking about it like that - "What was I learning?" - makes me feel better right away.

The next day, the poster was replaced with a comic about a farting bear.
posted by pocams at 12:11 PM on October 2, 2012 [2 favorites]

Life is grand!
posted by jbickers at 12:16 PM on October 2, 2012

Always liked this simple little poem to remind me that it's actually possible to be optimistic.
posted by Decani at 3:43 PM on October 2, 2012

This song and the movie that featured it never fail to lift my spirits.

It's gonna be a bright, bright, sun-shiny day!

Also, another idea: make a playlist on iTunes or (insert your music listening technology) called "Be Happy" and fill it with songs that lift your mood. I did this and I find it helps when I feel blue.
posted by tuesdayschild at 4:03 PM on October 2, 2012

There's lots of positivity at Late Bloomer.
posted by unliteral at 9:04 PM on October 2, 2012

"Are there any mental hacks you utilize when you feel yourself starting to grump up? Or from past experience, what have you done that made you feel like the best you?"

Get lots of sleep. Seriously. I never used to believe that more sleep could make me feel better and less irritable (I'm a pretty cheery person), but it really makes an amazing difference. Here's my post from a few months ago about feeling better when I got enough sleep.

As for poems and songs that make me feel more upbeat:

The Orange by Wendy Cope (scroll down)
"I Love My Life" - Todd Rundgren

Also: Happiness Life Hacks
posted by kristi at 10:42 AM on October 4, 2012

"Are there any mental hacks you utilize when you feel yourself starting to grump up? Or from past experience, what have you done that made you feel like the best you?"

Seconding the sleep, and on a somewhat contradictory note - children.
posted by Mai2k3 at 11:44 PM on October 4, 2012