Staying positive: How do you do it?

Walking or other exercise, Netflix, seeing people (I actually didn't see many but....) and Klonopin or similar on hand (I got a few and didn't use it much but it was there, mainly for sleep). Maybe avoid research until you know what you are dealing with!

It is a good question, and I'm sorry you are going through this. My honest answer is--I don't try to stay positive. My emotions change all the time, like the weather, and I'm used to that. I do, however, manage my anxiety (I was an anxious person before breast cancer and remain so after!). Try to see what helps--exercise. medication if needed, even just relaxing in ways you enjoy. Can you just accept that your ups and downs are inevitable as you are a feeling and caring human being? I will be thinking of you. Check in here any time you feel like it--I think most oral of us have experienced what you describe.

Sorry--OF us!

@mir123 as I drove away after posting previously, I had the same thought. There is so much pressure for us to "stay positive." That said, if "staying positive" for @mjmac means lowering stress and distress, distraction (and maybe meds) really help!

Yes--I really agree. I'm all for self-care that can help with anxiety and sadness. But I haven't found a way to be upbeat all the time. And I don't want to be! Often "negative" emotions are an authentic response, realistic, or just honest. I don't think that trying to force myself to be upbeat helps me at all. I do wonder where this pressure comes from--but I feel it in every encounter with breast cancer treatment and culture.

Hi!
You don't have to be positive all the time. Life just isn't that way sometimes. What would help is to talk to God about your concerns. Pray and tell him what is bothering you. Ask for his help and have faith. You will receive his help. God knows of all your needs and he's in control. So, just leave it up to him. I'll say a prayer for you also.
PML

This thread is so helpful. I'm 4 months past mastectomy, 2 months past radiation, and 3 months into anaprozole. The initial diagnosis in March was a shock, the whirlwind of confirmation, biopsis, surgery, radiation, etc. was so crazy and fast, it was over almost before I knew what hit me. Now I'm settling in to the "new normal" of fatigue, growing aches and pains, all coupled with the enormous gratitude that I have access to all this treatment and a good prognosis. (And subtle pressure to stay positive!) To the outside world, I'm supposed to be "over it", and outwardly, it would certainly appear so. Inside, though, I face days of fear and concern. Will I ever feel good again? Will I live to see my grandbabies grow up? Will things ever feel like they did before? Well......probably not. I AM an optimist by nature, so I am counting on today, and tomorrow, and the future. That said, I am so, so grateful for this portal where I hear from the brave people going through this, and how you all manage. From that, I've learned to give myself the grace to just be a little sad, or worried, or whatever, if I need to from time to time. It's OK. It's part of being human. We've all been through something that's very, very scarey.
The nice thing about emotions, is that they are always changing. If you're feeling shaky today, tomorrow just might turn out to be the best day of your life - who knows? Stay open to the possibility! Hugs to everyone on this thread.

What a lovely post. Thank you!

I never strived for "Positive Attitude" during my treatment - just an active mind and body that kept me from going down a dark rabbit hole that is hard to get out of. Fortunately I worked throughout my treatment so at least from 8 to 5 I had something else to occupy my mind. I did a lot of fun reading and knitting - things to keep my mind engaged. At night when trying to get to sleep when my mind was idle - I practiced counting slow breathing so again my mind was occupied. There were times when I fell into the rabbit hole and sometimes I was able to get out easily other times it took a while. Even now over 1 year passed all treatment, I sometimes focus or wonder about every new ache. I have a small note pad and make note of them so I can bring them to my oncologist the next time I see her. I'm TNBC BRCA2+ and what I've read is I have a higher recurrence during the first 5 years. Maybe once I pass the 5 years I can start to relax more - only time will tell. I hope you find something that works for you even if it's to vent about your worries to people who understand what you're going through. There have been many posts that I've made here that were emotional "vents" to others that understood my journey.

Thank you, I have been walking, stationary biking, playing games with friends, meditation. Research for sure can send us into a tizzy!
Thank you for reiterating that I am not alone! 💕