All of us go through ups and downs in our lives. Some negative experiences, illnesses, injuries and breakups might even have long-term effects on our behaviour and thought process. But is there any way to neutralise past negative experiences and turn them into meaningful life lessons so that they could have a positive effect on our future decisions? A new research published by VanEpps and Truncellito in Current Opinion in Psychology has revealed two methods through which individuals can be prepared to view past negative events through a positive lens.
First method: Cognitive reappraisal
For example, if you went through a heart-breaking break-up with your partner and you believe you might never recover from that.
Through cognitive reappraisal, you would get the opportunity to learn more about the positive aspects of your negative event. In this case, more emphasis can be placed on aspects like self-discovery, growth, and a more committed and fulfilling romantic relationship in the future.
This is the first way to reduce the negative emotional impact of a stressful past event.
Second method: Redeeming the past with storytelling
The other method to neutralise a negative past event is through the art of storytelling. This method involves repackaging the unfavourable experiences and “redeem the past.”
Well, if you incorporate your negative events in a wider story, it can help you build a larger, more positive narrative overall.
After all, not all stories are pleasant, without pain and embarrassment. But all of them carry a great story-telling value. A good story involves tension and conflicts.
Some stories inform people while some warn or persuade. All of them have some value, whether negative or positive.
In storytelling, one can consider the past negative events as a small section in the large positive story.
The above two methods can help people overcome the trauma of the past and move ahead in future with a more positive attitude towards life.
