Episode Details

Are your days filled with problems rather than positivity and sunshine? Discover the simple keys to happiness because life is too short to be grumpy!

On this week’s episode of the Breathe Love & Magic podcast, I had the pleasure of hosting Deborah Mallow, a.k.a. your personal ray of sunshine. Deborah spent years cracking the code on how to inspire positivity and end self-sabotage, which she details in her book, Six Steps to Fewer Days That Suck.

Trust me, this is not just fluffy, feel-good advice—her methods are practical, doable, and shockingly effective. Let’s dig into some of the wisdom she shared.

Get Deborah’s Free Gift – You can join her Positive Energy Club and download her Motivational Checklist, Happiness Worksheets, and Feel-Good Activities that will help you build a life that’s lighter, brighter, and way more fun!

Your Brain Loves the Drama

Ever wonder why your brain clings to that one annoying comment someone made five years ago instead of the dozens of compliments you’ve received since? Blame it on your ancestors.

As Deborah explains, negativity bias is an ancient survival mechanism. Back when our biggest problem was not getting eaten by a saber-toothed tiger, focusing on danger kept us alive.

But in today’s world, there are no saber-toothed tigers lurking around the corner. Yet, our brains still act like every inconvenience is a life-threatening crisis.

The good news? You can rewire your brain to focus on the positive. With conscious effort, you can boost the feel-good neurotransmitters—dopamine and serotonin—while lowering stress-related hormones like cortisol.

And no, this doesn’t mean forcing yourself to be toxically positive. It’s about making small, conscious shifts that add up over time to help you feel more optimistic and uplifted.

Here’s what my honeysuckle vine told me about joy.

Break the Habit of Misery

Deborah introduced me to a concept I absolutely love: being personally considerate. It’s about treating yourself with the same level of patience and kindness that you (hopefully) extend to others. In other words, stop being so mean to yourself.

Many people get stuck in a loop of negative self-talk, replaying their failures like a bad highlight reel. But here’s the trick that has worked like a charm for me. The moment you catch yourself spiraling, ask, “What would I rather be thinking right now?

That one powerful question can redirect your focus and stop negativity in its tracks. It’s simple, but incredibly impactful.

Turn Annoyance into Laughter

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