Being optimistic is good, but don't let it turn toxic
Plus two quick tutorials and a great event in the U.S.
Hey everyone,
There’s some big news in the sketchnoting community plus some useful tutorials from around the web.
Let’s dive in.
Interesting links
The International sketchnote camp is back! August 2-4, 2024 in San Antonio Texas. Check out more details here. I’ve been fortunate to attend 3 sketchnote camps and every one has been a fantastic experience. I highly recommend going if you can.
Want to improve your handwriting? Check out this carousel.
Add some more spice to your speech bubbles! Check out these options from Sketchnote School. (Make sure you go to Instagram to see the full reel).
Not everything happens for a reason
Being optimistic and positive is a good thing. As long as it’s genuine.
When you’re optimistic, you’re more likely to see opportunities, persevere through challenges and have better outcomes. But forcing yourself to look positive when you don’t feel that way isn’t good. In fact, it’s so harmful it’s known as “toxic”.
Toxic positivity is the idea that you should always be positive, no matter what the situation is and if you feel difficult emotions (like sadness, anger, or disappointment) you should reject them.
The problem is that it’s all a façade. And by suppressing how you feel, you don’t deal with those emotions. Worst still, you’re more likely to amplify them and make them feel worse.
Helping not harming
When someone is going through a tough time, we typically want to offer words of comfort.
Every cloud has a silver lining
What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger
Your greatest challenge will become your greatest achievement
None of these statements are necessarily bad and can have their place, but rarely straight away.
We need space to acknowledge how we are feeling, accept those feelings (and what they reveal) and then we can focus on a redemptive view of hard times.
Victor Frankl was right that finding meaning behind our pain and suffering can help us to endure any situation, but we shouldn’t deny when times are tough.
Start by listening and validating a person’s struggles, offer support and then point to meaning.
Thank you
A final note, at some point in the last month I passed 200 subscribers.
I really appreciate everyone who had signed up for this little newsletter.
Thank you,
Chris