Sunny Side Up #16: Unlucky!
Get out your brolly, I'm about to rain on your parade ☔️
I got a message recently about toxic positivity and it really got me thinking. I find the term “toxic positivity” quite conflicting - I don’t think every problem can be solved with a happy thought and blaming people for when bad things happen to them because they weren’t feeling great is just plain wrong. However, I also think that choosing to look at things in a positive light is - more often than not - a good way to go. I’ve had my fair share of doing the opposite, and it only made me feel worse.
I’m wary of promoting toxic positivity with my Sunny Side Up posts. Initially, they were a way to help me cope with a really bad bout of anxiety. It felt impossible to find anything good - my first joy list only had four bullet points, and they were taken from the past month rather than just the previous week. I can honestly say that sixteen weeks in, writing these little pieces has genuinely helped shift my perspective and finding the good in things is second nature.
But, just to keep everything balanced, I thought I’d include a new segment on here, for one week only! I present to you, the ✨Sad List✨. Here’s a list of all the shitty things that happened this week, because I’d hate for you to think my life is all sunshine and rainbows! I don’t even mean this in a trendy frazzled English woman way, it is genuine chaos in a not-fun way. It does make me laugh though because as I write this, my neck stuck at a 45 degree angle, my hair greasy, and my tea cold, I am absolutely elated that it’s given me a bit of content for this issue of SSU.
Got home from work after a 12 hour shift on Sunday to find my toes were bleeding from all the steps I’d done.
A grand total of three blisters on my feet.
I have bruised fingers from blowing up balloons.
Poured myself some cereal for it to only be the dusty remnants left in the box.
Woke up on Tuesday with a chip in my front tooth - still don’t know how this happened.
Washed my face then dried with towel. Only realised when it was too late that there was a spider on said towel.
For no reason at all I have cricked my neck and now cannot move.
Got tooth fixed. Same tooth then chipped AGAIN?! (Any dental experts reading, can you tell me why this might be happening?! I didn’t even eat anything crunchy!! I didn't break off tape with my mouth!! I’m following the rules!!)
Missed Pilates due to aforementioned cricked neck.
Due to cricked neck, and thus being unable to move, my hair has become a greasy mess. Am I getting all my bad karma at once? Whatever I did, I promise I’m really, really sorry.
That’s right - woe is me. I’m going to park it there because otherwise this will just be boring. I also hate to be positive in a toxic way but despite this week being the definition of awful, there were still plenty of good things to add to a joy list. Frankly, this newsletter’s got a little bleak so we’ll move quickly on.
My point is, when people say you can’t be happy all the time, they’re right. We all know that! But even if it’s a miniscule moment of glimmery goodness that makes the day a little easier, is that not worth embracing? I think it is.
Secured tickets for Josh Widdecombe next year! Is it just me or are things on sale really far in advance now? Some of these dates were on sale for mid 2026 which my brain cannot compute. Here’s hoping that my sister doesn’t have other plans by the time the gig rolls around.
It’s been a week for hot chocolates. I only like them with mini marshmallows though because I have a fear of bigger marshmallows. Don’t ask.
Read Tim Minchin’s new book and loooovvvveeed it. One of those ones that you buy for everyone you know. V much recommend. If I know you personally, don’t buy it because I’m getting it you for Christmas.
On the table: this week’s essentials. Hot water bottle for neck, hot cup of tea for my sanity.
Obsessed with the new GANNI x New Balance collab.
My sister cracked out the pumpkin spice candle because it’s officially autumn!
Went to see Graham Norton with my sister. 10/10.
Unlocking a great throwback for you: Scooby-Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed. Rewatched this when I was stuck and it was SO nostalgic. What phenomenal casting!
The 2024 Great British Bake Off Contestants, Ranked by Stuart Heritage - okay, not a Substack post but it made me really laugh!
The Magic of Magical Realism by
Deep Thoughts on Creative Ideas You Just Can’t Quit by
Why I Won’t Use Dating Apps by
The good news is it’s now Tuesday and I’m editing this piece with full neck mobility. Honestly, to every single one of you reading this piece, appreciate your neck. You don’t know what you’ve got until it’s gone, and you’re lying in bed with greasy hair because you can’t move your arms to wash it, and you can only wear button up pyjamas. Here’s to a much better week for all of us! 🥂
i agree, it’s good to focus on the positives but we shouldn’t negate the negatives, they’re just as important. i love the addition of the sad list, ella! ♥️
I loved having the sad list too and that it wasn’t SO depressing,, just normal woes.
Also a few years ago, in a park, and with a still 15 min drive home, I somehow pulled my neck so bad I couldn’t move it for days. All I did was…I don’t even know. Roll it to get the stress out? And somehow that messed it up.
Then last year I pulled my neck PUTTING ON A SWEATER. So I feel your pain 😆