“Fasting from Negativity: A Controlled Experiment
By Jamelia R. Hand
Presented by Omni-U Virtual University
A few weeks ago, I had a conversation with my friend and colleague, Peter Bradley, that left me thinking. Peter, a therapist, shared a simple ,yet profound, concept with me: “fasting from negativity”. It wasn’t something I had heard before and, while I don’t know if he coined the phrase, he spoke about how he had seen, first-hand, the positive effects it had on his clients. The idea intrigued me, so I decided to try it myself.
Without any formal guidelines, I set out on a week-long personal experiment to see how “fasting from negativity “might impact my daily life. As someone who generally considers herself to be positive, I didn’t anticipate any major shifts in my behavior. However, I soon realized that being a positive person does not always erase negative thoughts. It became apparent that, like anyone else, I still had to contend with mental noise that didn’t align with the upbeat energy I often project.
Parenting My Brain
The most striking realization came when I understood that I would need to “parent” my brain. Just as I might lovingly redirect a child who is being unruly, I had to do the same with my thoughts. For example, when a frustrating situation arose- such as an unexpected work delay- I caught myself spiraling into irritation. Normally, I might brush this off but, during my negativity “fast”, I deliberately paused, recognized the negative feelings building up, and gently told myself, “It’s okay, you’ve got this.” It was a conscious decision to shift focus- not in an overly stern way- but ,with the same grace and patience I’d offer to someone I care about deeply.
Realizations and Challenges
What I didn’t expect was how often I had to do this throughout the week. It wasn’t that I became a different person or that I had more negative thoughts than usual; it was more about becoming aware of how frequently little frustrations, self-doubt, or small fears crept into my mind. As much as I thought I had a handle on maintaining a positive outlook, there were still these subtle moments when negativity wanted to creep in.
One day, I was preparing a presentation. I generally enjoy public speaking and have confidence in my ability but, this time, a familiar voice in my head started saying, “What if it doesn’t go well? What if people don’t connect with your message?” I paused, acknowledged the doubt, and decided to “parent” my brain by redirecting it to focus on the preparation I had made, the practice I’d put in, and the positive feedback I’ve received before. It was a conscious decision to shift the narrative.
Outcomes of the Fast
By the end of the week, I noticed something subtle -but important: my mind felt lighter. The act of catching negativity before it took root made space for me to enjoy moments more fully and with less emotional baggage. I found that I was more present with my family, quicker to let go of frustrations, and more deliberate in my responses to challenges.
The experiment wasn’t about eliminating all negative thoughts- because that’s not possible. It's rather about creating an intentional pause when those thoughts arise. Through that pause, I could decide whether to give in to them or shift my focus. In many ways, it reminded me that positivity is not an automatic state of mind or being but, a practice that requires attention in the same way we care for anything precious in our lives.
“Fasting from negativity,” even for a short time, helped me recognize the power I have to shape my own thoughts and responses. I encourage everyone to give it a try. It’s a simple, free practice with surprising benefits- and one that, with time, can lead to a more mindful and grounded way of being.
Let me know if this works for you.
Jamelia Hand MHS CADC CODP
CEO
Vantage Clinical Consulting LLC.
"Engineering Opioid Addiction Solutions for Healthcare Organizations since 2001"
Recommended Viewing:
“Spiritual Healimg:An Inside Job “ Featuring: Mystic Wayne Sebamurti Gentry
“Sisters at Work: Serving the Underserved,” Featuring: Jamelia R. Hand and Sibyl Holloway:
Recommended Readings:
Thich Nhat Hanh, The World We Have: A Buddhist Approach to Peace and Ecology.
Thich Nhat Hahn, For a Future to Be Possible.
Interbeing: Fourteen Guidelines for Engaged Buddhism.
Thich Nhat Hahn, Essential Writings.
Marc Andrus, Brothers in the Beloved Community: The Friendship of Thich Nhat Hahn and Martin Luther King, Jr.
Thomas Berry, The Sacred Universe: Earth, Spiritually, and Religion in the Twenty-first Century.
Ralph Waldo Emerson:
Emerson's Essays: The First and Second Series Complete.
Self Reliance, Nature and The American Scholar.
Henry David Thoreau:
Transcendentalism Collection.
Walden, Walking and Civil Disobedience.
Cullen Bryant, Thanatopsis.
Nathaniel Hawthorne, Artist of the Beautiful.
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