The weather/happiness equation and negativity sells??

Spring + The Happiness Equation

At least the flowers in my yard got the memo that it’s spring, because the weather seems to have forgotten this week. My current local temp is 30 degrees, with a high of 43 today. The rest of the week looks marginally better in the low 50’s (but that means the high).

All of this sadly reinforces my long held belief that spring is my least favorite season (by a landslide). Some people love it- I do not. I know I’ve talked about this before, so I’ll try to stop whining about it. It’s fine- it’s a season, it’s temporary! Thank goodness. I am NOT A FAN of windy, (too) cool, rainy spring weather, especially when it is “supposed” to be nice outside (in my mind).

I think that’s the kicker for me. I don’t mind brisk, chilly temps in late October as the leaves fall. It fits the little narrative in my head of a typical fall day. I also don’t mind a 20 degree snowy January day, bundled up with my scarf and boots.

But I do not really enjoy a day with sunshine, birds chirping, flowers blooming….and then 43 degree temperatures with wind gusts. 🙂

It’s the classic happiness equation from Solve for Happy (one of my all time favorite books!): Happiness = when Reality > Expectations. In the back of my mind I “expect” it to be semi-nice out (based on the calendar, looking out the window, etc.), so when I step outside and get blown over by a cold wind, I’m surprised and not impressed. Hehe!!! Reality < Expectations.

Negativity Sells?

One other random thought for today. I was reading some comments on a blog the other day (a much more established/ bigger site), and the site owner made an interesting observation. She said that her posts/ articles that get the most “hits” are always the ones where she talks about BAD stuff!! Things going wrong, her problems, etc. She had actual data to back this up, so it seemed pretty legit.

I guess this isn’t totally surprising to me. (Our local news website has a Top 5 Most Popular Articles section and I swear, #1 is always something like “2 DEAD AFTER LOCAL CRASH”. It’s never something good, like “LOCAL GIRL WINS STATE SPELLING BEE!”. Haha.)

But if this is true, it does make me a bit sad. I know it’s probably not intentional or ill willed- in reality I would guess it’s mostly just human nature and curiosity? Kind of like everyone slowing down to look at the fender bender on the highway. You just do it! 😆

I try to share lots of “good stuff” on this site, as much positivity as I can. (Hmm….maybe this explains why my blog is small potatoes? 🤔 Maybe I am going about this ALL wrong. LOL! Just kidding.) I guess if my (mostly) positive vibes don’t “attract” as many people, so be it! I feel pretty passionately about wanting to spread a little light, a little love, etc. in one way that I know how.

I do share plenty of negative things too, because that is just part of real life. I’d never want to pretend everything is always hunky dory! Of course it’s not.

Anyway, just an interesting observation! I feel like there is definitely a trend/ more people out there seeking out positive vibes, the good stuff, happiness, wanting to celebrate others’ wins, too. Not everyone is only clicking on the drama-filled, crisis-laden headlines. 🙂

What do you think? Do you find yourself more drawn in to negative articles/ posts? Or do you prefer the positive ones? I definitely mostly love things that inspire me, encourage me, lift me up….but am probably guilty of succumbing to click bait sometimes, too. 🤷‍♀️

Daily Gratitude:

I am grateful for the flowering bush in the picture above! Unfortunately, it is located around the side, back corner of my house…so unless I specifically walk out to look at it, I can’t see it from anywhere in my house (or my deck). 😦