WHAT I'VE LEARNT ABOUT...

negative opinions

- CHRISSIE SWAN

I've come to believe that when someone hurts you, says something untrue or asserts they know about your character in a way that doesn't feel right, they might actually be doing you a favour. Not intentionally of course - their motivations are almost always nasty and designed to make you rage-clean while muttering obscenities under your breath - but the power is yours to make their small-mindedness work in your favour.

Something I read recently on a Google deep dive resonated with me: “There is no such thing as a negative experience, only opportunities to grow.” And after we’ve expressed our outrage and dissent via aforementioned rage-cleaning - I recommend a thin grout brush and VERY vigorous scrubbing - I reckon this is the energy we should be taking into 2026.

Ten years ago I was away from my kids for six weeks while I filmed a TV show. To those watching on screen I’m sure it looked like a fun thing to do and in many ways, it was. I was meeting new people, testing the limits of my physical and mental capabilities, and eating insect smoothies. Well, maybe the last one wasn’t so fun.