Pokémon and positive emotions

Remember the Pokémon Go craze a few years back? When kids (and adults) were running around with their phones trying to “catch em all”? While life might not be a contest of collecting shape shifting baby monsters, there are some lessons that convey.

In our path towards happiness it can be beneficial to build up a collection of our own. A collection of positive emotions. It’s easy to get caught up in the monotony of daily life, to be worn down by the struggles and to instead close off from the outside world. We can get trapped in this negative feedback loop and lose sight of positive life experience.

So in our quest to create a more positive life, we can develop tools to get there. Start by making a list of pleasant experiences in your daily life. Riding a bike or walking your dog or taking a bath. Anything that leads to feelings of well being.

Once we’ve made our list, let’s start collecting! Simply make a point to engage in one pleasing experience per day from your list. Regardless of how you’re feeling today.

At times we can feel as if we don’t want to do anything. Maybe we are sad or distracted or anxious. Here’s where we can practice opposite action and act opposite of how we feel. We avoid avoiding!

As always, practice mindfulness in your collection of positive emotions. When engaging in our daily experience be present. Don’t multitask or allow distraction. Embrace the joy of the experience and how you feel.

It’s easy to get caught up in the negative aspects of life. It can feel as if the weight of the world is ever upon our shoulders. But there are always little pockets of joy out there. Create those joyful moments by engaging in pleasing experiences and collecting positive emotions like you’re chasing a Pikachu (or whatever the goal of Pokémon is).