We all do it when we meet new people. We slap on a big smile, engage with conversation and tell jokes like we’ve got a Netflix special in the pipeline.

In short, we become the best version of ourselves.

But what about when we meet up with old people? Those who have been around for a while? Those who we owe the most to?

Too often we instinctively lean into the negatives. How tough work is. How tired we are. How frustrated we are with society.

In short, we are fun hoovers – sucking the joy out of everything.

Notice how their happiness about meeting up quickly shifts into ‘oh this again’ and they can’t wait to get away. We’ve all experienced it in reverse, but we’re in control of our own behaviours and the attitude that we project – so control it!

Adopt the glass half-full stance and put forward positives that are going on in your life and implore others to expand upon what’s going right in theirs too.

In short, treat the occasion like you do when you meet new people. Light up the conversation, engage fully and make sure to re-create the good that has caused this meeting to be a repeat one.