The Positive Practice: Karen's Writing Journey
This month marks the launch of The Positive Practice: A Positive Handbook for Life, Karen's brand new self-help book, designed as a supportive and empowering guide to navigate the many and varied challenges of life.
In this special feature article, hear from Karen on the origins of the book, her writing journey, and what she hopes it will bring to reader's lives.
Writing as a life-long sanctuary
For as long as I can remember, writing has been my sanctuary. As a child, I poured my heart into stories and diary entries, finding comfort and solace in the written word. It became a way for me to process my thoughts, especially during times of anxiety.
I was always in the midst of writing a short story, beginning a new novel, or documenting my travel experiences. However, it never really crossed my mind to share my work with others.
Launching the blog
Surprisingly, I didn’t start sharing my writing until I turned 50. That’s when I decided to venture into blogging - though I must admit, I had to Google what a blog actually was to get started! Initially, I lacked a clear direction and wrote about a variety of topics: coffee, travel, amusing mishaps, and most importantly, life lessons I had learned over my 50 years on this planet. Thus, my blog, SomeKindof50, was born.
As time went on, my focus began to shift. I felt inspired to write about the experiences that had truly shaped me - worry, anxiety, panic attacks, and the ongoing battle to maintain a positive outlook. It was during this period that I found my authentic voice. Writing about positivity and the ways it had supported me through challenging times proved to be not only therapeutic, but also, it seemed it resonated strongly with others. During the COVID lockdown, some of my posts about coping with fear, isolation, and loneliness garnered thousands of hits.
The power of positivity
Positivity has always served as a guiding force throughout my life, shaping my experiences and perspective. Embracing a positive mindset empowers us to confront challenges with resilience and determination. By consciously nurturing positive thoughts and beliefs, we create a mental environment where hope and optimism can flourish. This shift in perspective allows us to anticipate good outcomes, fostering a sense of openness that attracts favourable experiences into our lives.
In contrast, dwelling on negative thoughts can drag us into darkness. When we focus on pessimism and expect the worst, we invite a cycle of negativity that can suffocate our spirits. Recognising this tendency enables us to take proactive steps to reinforce positivity and break free from the grip of despair, ultimately leading to a more fulfilling and joyful existence.
Writing about positivity deepened my understanding of its essence. It reminded me that positive thinking isn't about ignoring life's challenges; rather, it’s about facing them with hope and resilience. It's about seeking solutions rather than fixating on problems and believing that brighter days are ahead.
From blog to book
Eventually, my family and work life demanded more of my time, and my blogging took a backseat. In 2022, I made the difficult decision to close my blog. However, the thought of deleting those cherished posts forever felt wrong, so I saved them, uncertain of their future.
Fast forward to now: while collaborating with my daughter on The Positive Label, our positive clothing brand, I realised I wanted to breathe new life into those saved posts. This led me to wonder if it may be possible to turn them into a book, and what I initially thought would take a couple of weeks, turned into over a year of carefully crafting and reorganising them into cohesive chapters focused on positive thinking, self-awareness, and managing complex emotions like anxiety and fear.
Introducing The Positive Practice
This month marks a significant milestone in my journey as I am proud to announce The Positive Practice: A Positive Handbook for Life, is now out there for all to read!
Throughout the book, I address a range of difficult emotions that many experience, including worry, anger, fear, anxiety, sadness, guilt, and shame. Each chapter provides practical advice and strategies to confront and overcome these emotional hurdles. I want the book to inspire personal growth and transformative change, encouraging readers to see their struggles as opportunities for development.
I also delve into coping mechanisms for pivotal life moments: whether it’s struggling with grief and loss, managing the highs and lows of parenting, adjusting to empty nest syndrome, dealing with job loss, or facing the heartache of a relationship ending, this resource seeks to offer comprehensive support.
A labour of love and hope
Writing about positivity has emerged as one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. It has carried me through my darkest days and connected me with others on their paths of self-discovery.
Crafting this book has been an incredibly emotional journey for me; I have infused every page with my heart and soul, drawing from personal experiences to create genuine and relatable content.
I take immense pride in what The Positive Practice has become: a resource that empowers others to embrace positivity and resilience at every stage of life, regardless of the challenges they may face. My hope is that this book serves not only as a guide, but as a beacon of hope for anyone striving to transform their struggles into strength.
The Positive Practice: A Positive Handbook for Life is available to shop now in paperback via our store for £12.00 or as an e-book for £4.99 at https://amzn.eu/d/ja988AE