DrBAE - Dr Bartons Aural Elixirs (Iain Barton Shorts)

identify the things that you're worrying about identify the open loops associated with those things set up a simple plan, where you will start closing those loops stop in worrying is that easy! best wishes Iain

DON'T WORRY SO MUCH!You; Hey man that sounds easier said than done?Me: Okay! I am not saying don't worry, I am saying don't worry so much! I don't want you to worry about how much you are worrying.You: so how can say don't worry so much? it's not something you can control it happens naturally.Me: there are things you can CHOOSE not to worry about, there are things you can DECIDE you will not worry about, and finally active, motion, meditation and doing things can all be ways to reduce your worries.best blessings Iain

DON'T WORRY SO MUCH!You; Hey man that sounds easier said than done?Me: Okay! I am not saying don't worry, I am saying don't worry so much! I don't you to worry about how much you are worrying.You: so how can say don't worry so much? it's not something you can control it happens naturally.Me: there are things you can CHOOSE to worry about, there are things you can DECIDE you will not worry about, and finally active, motion, meditation and doing things can all be ways to reduce your worries.best blessings Iain

This is my attempt to get my essay under 3 minutes ...How can we achieve a positive mindset without falling into the trap of toxic positivity?Follow these seven steps ...1. Start with the truth“How do I feel today?”“What one thing would make today feel lighter?”Honesty first.Positivity second.Should help to avoid the toxic stuff.2. Pick a Few Essential TasksJust 2 to 4 Essentials, things that actually matter.Choose tasks leading to completion.3. Set-up a Refrain ListThese are going to be your boundaries for right now ... Things like:doom‑scrolling,over‑planning,laying in bed,watching TV,online computer games.The Refrain List is to protect your state of mind.4. Add One Bonus TaskA tiny “if energy allows” win.Take a brisk walk.Tidy up something.Do a bit of outstanding admin.Small wins build momentum.5. Use Supportive Self‑TalkSay things like:“This might be hard, but I can handle it.”“It doesn’t have to be perfect.”“Let’s just make a start.”These are healthy positivity mantras.6. Have at least one moment of presence.A sunset.A slow drink.A short meditation.A short stretch.Presence resets the nervous system.7. End the day with three questions“What went well?”“What can I let go?"“What did I enjoy?”That’s enough to close the day with clarity.Final wordYes, toxic positivity exists but cynicism won’t help you either.Choose supportive, realistic and grounded positivity.Best wishes, my friend.#drbae #positivity #selfimprovement

I tried to reduce my long essay into a 3-minute short, but the recording is 3 minutes 44 seconds. I will try again! How can we achieve a positive mindset without falling into the trap of toxic positivity?We want to avoid the “everything is amazing” and “good vibes only baby” nonsense.So if you want supportive realistic positivity, follow these seven steps ...1. Start with the truth“How do I feel today?”“What one thing would make today feel lighter?”Honesty first.Positivity second.That’s how you avoid the fake toxic stuff.2. Pick a Few Essential TasksJust 2 to 4 Essentials, things that actually matter.Choose tasks leading to completion over yet more chaos.3. Set-up a Refrain ListThese are going to be your boundaries for right now ... Things like:doom‑scrolling,over‑planning,laying in bed,watching TV,online computer games.This isn’t punishment by denial, or to make you a good person, it's simply to protect your state of mind.4. Add One Bonus TaskA tiny “if energy allows” win.Take a brisk walk.Tidy up something.Do a bit of admin you’ve avoided for awhile.A small win builds momentum.5. Use Supportive Self‑TalkSay things like:“This might be hard, but I can handle it.”“It doesn’t have to be perfect.”“Let’s just make a start.”These are really good healthy positivity mantras.6. Have at least one moment of presence.A sunset.A slow drink.A short meditation.A short stretch.Presence resets the nervous system.7. End the day with three questions“What went well?”“What can I let go?"“What did I enjoy?”That’s enough to close the day with clarity.Final wordYes, toxic positivity exists but cynicism won’t help you either.Choose optimistic supportive realistic, safe and grounded positivity.Best wishes, my friend.#drbae #selfimprovement #positivity

How to avoid Toxic Positivity A positive mindset without toxic positivity is absolutely a good thing. I would love to make some suggestions if you're willing to hear? I don't want to be a melancholy person throwing out words like "toxic positivity", being terribly insightful and well read, bring you down, just ramble on without giving you solutions or indeed any insights. Other than, we are living in a society crumbling because of toxic positivity.Will you hear my words?There is hope.Will you listen?The key is to aim for grounded realistic optimism, not forced fake cheerfulness - yes, the latter is toxic positivity which I'm going to explain how to avoid.What we want is just plain good old positivity, we want clarity, energy and momentum,without pretending to ourselves everything is fine, when it isn’t - it's that simple! So we are going for a “supportive positive realism” approach, and we are going to avoid the “everything is great” bullshit!There's absolutely nothing "toxic" saying to yourself “I can handle this, I can make some progress, I’ll treat myself well, and take care of myself while I'm getting it done.”Step 1.Start with how do you feel today? What do I need to do to be kind to myself today?What one thing I can do that would make the day feel better, happier or lighter?This avoids the “fake positivity” trap, you start from a point of view of the truth, and then move on to a positive activity or action.Step 2. Set Today’s 2 to 4 Essentials - avoid the expression "should-dos" or “must‑dos”.3 Essentials is probably about ideal. Look for things which are tasks that will give you some sense of meaning or completion, finishing off tasks are ideal.Keep it to only 2–4 tasks refrain from chasing 20 plus things that need to be done, finishing off tasks are ideal.Step 3. Have a Refrain List (Buddhist‑style)If prefer a Christian style “don’t do” list, that's fine but we aren't being particularly moralistic here! And this could be seen perhaps as an example of toxic positivity where we are setting boundaries that, to be honest, we are likely to fail and in so doing, feel bad about ourselves. So, can I humbly suggest...Refrain From List Let Go Of ListAvoid For Today List As better titles than a "don't do" list? Anyhow, whatever your list is called, examples of things that could be on it are are:- WhatsApping people without any sense of humour, doom‑scrolling, over‑planning,overthinking, speaking too hastily without mindful thought,watching YouTubes about politics and current affairs,rushing around doing things as if I'm trying to hustle or grind.Step 4. Add one Bonus Task to your essentials.This is a “if energy and time allows” one!The Bonus Task should be something small that would feel good if if you get it done.This could be a feel good task, a brisk walk, a cycle, a swim. A clear energy task - a tidy up, organise a pile of papers, the dishes, the laundry. A close loop task - an outstanding bit of admin, an outstanding to-do that never seems to get done. Step 5. Use “supportive self‑talk,” not “toxic positive thinking” ...Toxic positivity says“Everything is fine."Supportive positivity says"All will be well."Say to yourself out loud or in your head, things like “This might be hard for me to do but I can handle it.”“I can do this.”“It doesn't have to be perfect, it doesn't have to be finished today, let's just make some progress.”“Let's just make a start.”“Whenever I need to take a break, I'm going to.”Step 6. Build in, at least, one moment of presence during your day Go see that sunset. Take a slow mindful walk. Have a mindful cup of coffee or Tea.5‑minute stretch.2 minute meditation.10 minutes of silence.Look at the sky. Count the chemtrails. (Joke)And so on ...Step 7 (final step, towards the end of the year day). When it comes to the end of the day.Ask yourself "What went well?""What can I let go?""What did I enjoy doing?"These three simple questions or something like them, should be enough to give you a good review of your day.Conclusion Yes there is toxic positivity!BUT does it really help you, to listen to people that promote these ideas? Be realistic, follow positive vibes, engage with optimistic supportive realism - do safe, harmless and helpful positivity! Best wishes my friend - 15 June 2026 #toxicpositivity #howto #drbae

if you still can go for a walk nothing quite like going for a walk with a little bit of sun on your face 😜 but if you want to go for a nice evening stroll or a fresh morning rompbest wishes Iain

A positive mindset without toxic positivity is absolutely a good thing. I would love to make some suggestions if you're willing to hear? I don't want to be a melancholy person, bring you down and just ramble on without giving you solutions. Will you hear my words? Will you listen?The key is this aim for grounded realistic optimism, not forced fake cheerfulness - yes, the latter is toxic positivity which I'm going to explain how to avoid.What we want is just plain good old positivity, we want clarity, energy and momentum,without pretending to ourselves everything is fine, when it isn’t - it's that simple! So we are going for a “supportive positive realism” approach, and we are going to avoid the “everything is great” bullshit!There's absolutely nothing "toxic" saying to yourself “I can handle this, I can make some progress, I’ll treat myself well, and take care of myself while I'm getting it done.”Step 1.Start with how do you feel today? What do I need to do to be kind to myself today?What one thing I can do that would make the day feel better, happier or lighter?This avoids the “fake positivity” trap, you start from a point of view of the truth, and then move on to a positive activity or action.Step 2. Set Today’s 2 to 4 Essentials - avoid the expression "should-dos" or “must‑dos”.3 Essentials is probably about ideal. Look for things which are tasks that will give you some sense of meaning or completion, finishing off tasks are ideal.Keep it to only 2–4 tasks refrain from chasing 20 plus things that need to be done, finishing off tasks are ideal.Step 3. Have a Refrain List (Buddhist‑style)If prefer a Christian style “don’t do” list, that's fine but we aren't being particularly moralistic here! And this could be seen perhaps as an example of toxic positivity where we are setting boundaries that, to be honest, we are likely to fail and in so doing, feel bad about ourselves. So, can I humbly suggest...Refrain From List Let Go Of ListAvoid For Today List As better titles than a "don't do" list? Anyhow, whatever your list is called, examples of things that could be on it are are:- WhatsApping people without any sense of humour, doom‑scrolling, over‑planning,overthinking, speaking too hastily without mindful thought,watching YouTubes about politics and current affairs,rushing around doing things as if I'm trying to hustle or grind.Step 4. Add one Bonus Task to your essentials.This is a “if energy and time allows” one!The Bonus Task should be something small that would feel good if if you get it done.This could be a feel good task, a brisk walk, a cycle, a swim. A clear energy task - a tidy up, organise a pile of papers, the dishes, the laundry. A close loop task - an outstanding bit of admin, an outstanding to-do that never seems to get done. Step 5. Use “supportive self‑talk,” not “toxic positive thinking” ...Toxic positivity says“Everything is fine."Supportive positivity says"All will be well."Say to yourself out loud or in your head, things like “This might be hard for me to do but I can handle it.”“I can do this.”“It doesn't have to be perfect, it doesn't have to be finished today, let's just make some progress.”“Let's just make a start.”“Whenever I need to take a break, I'm going to.”Step 6. Build in, at least, one moment of presence during your day Go see that sunset. Take a slow mindful walk. Have a mindful cup of coffee or Tea.5‑minute stretch.2 minute meditation.10 minutes of silence.Look at the sky. Count the chemtrails. (Joke)And so on ...Step 7 (final step, towards the end of the year day). When it comes to the end of the day.Ask yourself "What went well?""What can I let go?""What did I enjoy doing?"These three simple questions or something like them, should be enough to give you a good review of your day.Conclusion Yes there is toxic positivity!BUT does it really help you, to listen to people that promote these ideas? Be realistic, follow positive vibes, engage with optimistic supportive realism - do safe, harmless and helpful positivity! Best wishes my friend

if we could all just unite in the belief that we should all follow a path of peace, believe in peace, and have peace in our lives ... what a wonderful world this would be? best blessings 🙏 Iain

A positive mindset without toxic positivity is absolutely a good thing. I would love to make some suggestions if you're willing to hear? I don't want to be a melancholy person, bring you down and just ramble on without giving you solutions. Will you hear my words? Will you listen?The key is this aim for grounded realistic optimism, not forced fake cheerfulness - yes, the latter is toxic positivity which I'm going to explain how to avoid.What we want is just plain good old positivity, we want clarity, energy and momentum,without pretending to ourselves everything is fine, when it isn’t - it's that simple! So we are going for a “supportive positive realism” approach, and we are going to avoid the “everything is great” bullshit!There's absolutely nothing "toxic" saying to yourself “I can handle this, I can make some progress, I’ll treat myself well, and take care of myself while I'm getting it done.”Step 1.Start with how do you feel today? What do I need to do to be kind to myself today?What one thing I can do that would make the day feel better, happier or lighter?This avoids the “fake positivity” trap, you start from a point of view of the truth, and then move on to a positive activity or action.Step 2. Set Today’s 2 to 4 Essentials - avoid the expression "should-dos" or “must‑dos”.3 Essentials is probably about ideal. Look for things which are tasks that will give you some sense of meaning or completion, finishing off tasks are ideal.Keep it to only 2–4 tasks refrain from chasing 20 plus things that need to be done, finishing off tasks are ideal.Step 3. Have a Refrain List (Buddhist‑style)If prefer a Christian style “don’t do” list, that's fine but we aren't being particularly moralistic here! And this could be seen perhaps as an example of toxic positivity where we are setting boundaries that, to be honest, we are likely to fail and in so doing, feel bad about ourselves. So, can I humbly suggest...Refrain From List Let Go Of ListAvoid For Today List As better titles than a "don't do" list? Anyhow, whatever your list is called, examples of things that could be on it are are:- WhatsApping people without any sense of humour, doom‑scrolling, over‑planning,overthinking, speaking too hastily without mindful thought,watching YouTubes about politics and current affairs,rushing around doing things as if I'm trying to hustle or grind.Step 4. Add one Bonus Task to your essentials.This is a “if energy and time allows” one!The Bonus Task should be something small that would feel good if if you get it done.This could be a feel good task, a brisk walk, a cycle, a swim. A clear energy task - a tidy up, organise a pile of papers, the dishes, the laundry. A close loop task - an outstanding bit of admin, an outstanding to-do that never seems to get done. Step 5. Use “supportive self‑talk,” not “toxic positive thinking” ...Toxic positivity says“Everything is fine."Supportive positivity says"All will be well."Say to yourself out loud or in your head, things like “This might be hard for me to do but I can handle it.”“I can do this.”“It doesn't have to be perfect, it doesn't have to be finished today, let's just make some progress.”“Let's just make a start.”“Whenever I need to take a break, I'm going to.”Step 6. Build in, at least, one moment of presence during your day Go see that sunset. Take a slow mindful walk. Have a mindful cup of coffee or Tea.5‑minute stretch.2 minute meditation.10 minutes of silence.Look at the sky. Count the chemtrails. (Joke)And so on ...Step 7 (final step, towards the end of the year day). When it comes to the end of the day.Ask yourself "What went well?""What can I let go?""What did I enjoy doing?"These three simple questions or something like them, should be enough to give you a good review of your day.Conclusion Yes there is toxic positivity!BUT does it really help you, to listen to people that promote these ideas? Be realistic, follow positive vibes, engage with optimistic supportive realism - do safe, harmless and helpful positivity! Best wishes my friend