When people think of displacement, they often picture those who are forced to leave their homes due to war, natural disasters, or economic hardship. Yet, displacement is not always about physical destitution or immediate survival. For many who possess the ‘right’ passport and, or financial means to travel and choose where they live, the feeling of not belonging—of being mentally and emotionally unmoored—can be equally poignant and complex.

Positivity, when used to cover up real emotions, becomes counterproductive. To be genuinely positive, we must also acknowledge and process the full spectrum of our feelings. By moving away from toxic positivity, we open the door to genuine connections, authentic emotional expression, and a healthier approach to well-being.

In 2013, the term “hypochondriasis/ hypochondria, was replaced by “somatic symptom disorder”…

We all have the ability to have an agile mindset: from an early age, we demonstrated determination and resilience in learning new skills such as walking and talking. Persistence enabled us to master these and achieve our goal without even realizing.

Absorbing negative news can have a damaging impact on our mental health- especially if we are choosing to rely on non-trustworthy sources. Reports of an increase in feelings of stress and anxiety since the beginning of the Coronavirus are rife, with Graham Davey, Professor of Psychology at the University of Sussex suggesting that when negative events such as a pandemic are presented visually and emotively they can ‘trigger acute stress reactions and even post-traumatic stress symptoms in vulnerable news consumers.’[1]