Ep 26 Staying Positive & Cultivating Gratitude in Adversity

Hey everyone, welcome back! Louis and Sam here, and this week we’re diving into the art of staying positive—even when things seem to fall apart. From Sam’s battles with camera issues to deeper life challenges, like job redundancies and maintaining a positive outlook, we've got a lot to unpack.

Life Throws Curveballs, But It’s Not Always That Deep

Sam’s got a new series in the works, talking about navigating redundancy. It’s not easy—life throws curveballs, and sometimes it feels like you’re three steps forward and 200 back. But Sam’s finding that maintaining a positive mindset is key. Life’s full of tough moments, but it's all about how you respond.

Louis has also had a perspective shift lately. Whether it’s a stressful work situation or a colleague freaking out, he’s learned to take a step back and realise—hey, it’s not that deep. There’s always going to be problems, but they're much better than the issues most of the world faces. The key is recognising that while your feelings are valid, putting them in perspective helps you worry less and enjoy life more.

Positivity vs. Happiness – They’re Not the Same Thing

Here’s the thing: positivity and happiness often get mixed up. Just because you’re not smiling all day doesn’t mean you’re not positive. Positivity is about maintaining an overall upward outlook, even when you're not jumping for joy. It’s about responding to life’s challenges in a way that doesn’t let the tough stuff drag you down.

Louis shared an example of a stressful moment at work—something that would've ruined his day months ago—but now, he handles it with a different mindset. Why stress over things that, in the grand scheme, are really not that deep?

Reflecting on What Matters

Sam had an eye-opening experience when a chance encounter with a stranger turned into something life-changing. It served as a reminder that sometimes, the best thing you can do is just be there for someone, even if you don’t have all the answers.

In life, we can’t predict how things will unfold, and it’s easy to get caught up in the “what-ifs.” But as Sam realised, you can't stress over what could have been—especially when it’s something you have no control over. The takeaway? Focus on what you can control and don’t rob yourself of joy by worrying about things you can’t.

Staying Grounded in a Stressful World

One major lesson we’ve both learned is that you can’t always be in control of what happens to you, but you can control how you respond. Life is full of ups and downs, but staying positive through the challenges can make a huge difference. It’s not about pretending everything is perfect—it’s about recognising the good in the midst of the bad and staying grateful for what you have.

So, if you’re in a stressful situation, take a moment to reflect. As Louis says, "You’re not going to have your Thanos moment where you watch the sunset and have no problems. You’re always going to have problems. Just try to make sure they’re better ones."