Yes, my dears, welcome back to another glimpse into the wonderful world of self-optimization. Today, we’re diving deep into a topic as ubiquitous as annoying influencers on Instagram: positive thinking and affirmations.

Auto-generated description: A woman with blonde hair gives a thumbs-up and smiles at herself in the mirror.

“I am rich, I am beautiful, I am irresistible…” – And I wake up in reality every morning

Let’s be honest. Who among us hasn’t stood in front of the mirror and recited mantras that today is going to be a fantastic day? And who hasn’t then spilled their coffee, missed the bus, and received an email from the boss that was as friendly as a stingray?

Affirmations are all well and good. But I wonder if my bank account also accepts affirmations when I can’t pay the rent. “I am rich, I am rich, I am rich…” – maybe I should try that sometime.

Positive Thinking: Rose-Colored Glasses for Reality Deniers?

I don’t want to be a spoilsport, but sometimes I feel like positive thinking is like covering mold with paint. Sure, it looks better at first, but the problem is still there. And at some point, the facade crumbles, and the mold laughs at you.

It’s not that I’m against good vibes. But this compulsive “Everything is great” attitude sometimes gets on my nerves. Can’t you just be in a bad mood without being labeled a negative nagger?

My Conclusion: A Little Realism Never Hurt Anyone

Don’t get me wrong. I do believe that a positive basic attitude is important. But I also believe that it’s important not to lose sight of reality. Sometimes life is just crap. And that’s okay. You don’t have to walk around with a forced smile every day.

So, let’s spice up the affirmations and positive thinking with a healthy dose of realism. And if all else fails, maybe a big piece of chocolate will help. Or two. Or that bottle of wine that’s been sitting on the shelf for a long time. Cheers! To honesty!