Positivity is fading… and it is hated in today’s society.
By: Sarah Swift
Tags: Helping Others, Community, Negativity, Covid 19, Positivity

As a kid, I remember seeing the news in the morning as my mom was packing lunches. Although there were many fires and robbers and tragedies, they always included a segment on local heroes and moments of laughter and happiness. I remember being told to be a shining light to others, how smiling at a stranger can change their whole day. I remember my idols and my friends’ idols as people who spread joy and happiness to others. But that’s no longer the status quo, and those things are but frivolous time fillers.

Photo from Star 101.5fm Happy News (2019)

In today’s society, and especially with the onset of COVID 19, positivity is absent from people’s lives and homes. Back in March, the cabin fever set on fast, as our worlds were flipped upside down and the change was drastic. As staying at home became the new norm, the burst of creativity we saw at the beginning died down, and we began to think…

We began to think about each other, and being confined with them made our differences stick out; we noticed each others’ weaknesses and flaws.

This is the beginning of the downwards spiral of positivity.

Everyone had varying degrees of hostility towards one another, as we started to focus on the bad instead of the good. We saw everything going wrong in our lives, and found things and people to blame. Although everyone was affected differently, we were all negatively affected by the pandemic. Everyones situation got ten levels worse, and there was always someone else to blame.

However, COVID cannot be entirely blamed for this phenomenon. In the past, when extreme situations occurred, people came closer together. During the World Wars, society came together to support one another and patriotism flourished. We weren’t focused on problems inward, because they meant nothing when looking at the problems outward. We were blessed to be the USA and we were proud of it. Everyone supported their neighbors and the United States was at its peak.

During Hurricane Harvey, Texas bound together. Instead of cowering in our homes waiting for rescue, those with high vehicles trekked through the water and mud to pick up anyone and everyone. Neighbors helped each other move furniture and tear apart the houses afterwrds. For months everyone volunteered at neighborhood houses to tear up floors and remove furniture so the houses could be restored. As contractors got busy, we sheltered each other in our houses until those estranged could move back. Although we struggled, we were all thankful it wasn't worse, and actively worked towards helping each other and lifting each other up with kindness and positivity.

Now, we have a pandemic. No one is helping their neighbors, we are cowering from them. As grocery stores ran dry it was every man for himself. Stock up even if it means the next person has none. It was like a scene out of an apocalyptic movie. Spirits died and the sense of community died as people pointed fingers. First was “you’re not staying in your house” and now it’s “you’re not wearing a mask” and even, “you didn’t wipe that surface after you touched it”. Instead of a community of helping each other, everyone doing their part to protect each other, everyone is getting angry at the ones trying too hard and the ones not trying enough. Because of this, we split up. Our neighbors are our enemies, our family is a danger.

On top of all of this though, it’s election season. One of the most hostile and outspoken seasons of the decade, the craziest scenarios ensue. We have seen protests in the streets, rallies, buildings brought down in the past, and we see it again. Everyone was already on edge from the pandemic, and now we throw an election into the mix.

Unfortunately, this recipe for disaster only bakes a sour result: the descent of positivity. To be happy is to offend those who have less, to be content is to not know where you stand, and to be kind is to condescend. Personally, everytime I tell my peers to look on the bright side and see the light at the end of the tunnel, I get glares and death stares back. To be a beacon of light is to be an interrogating spotlight. The time of smiles and positivity is dead. To be a believer in happiness is a death wish.