If you're anything like us, the phrase "positive mental attitude" might make you roll your eyes so hard you see your brain. But hear us out: PMA doesn’t have to be about toxic positivity, pastel journals, or pretending everything's fine when it’s not. PMA has punk roots—for real.
The concept was borrowed from the 1937 self-help book Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill, which encouraged readers to cultivate a positive mental attitude as a tool for personal success. Members of Bad Brains, took this message to heart and infused it into their music and philosophy. While many punk and hardcore bands focused on nihilism or political anger, Bad Brains stood out for their energetic performances and their message of self-empowerment and positivity through PMA.
Their song "Attitude" (1982) is one of the clearest statements of this philosophy:
“Don't care what they may say, We got that attitude, Don't care what they may doWe got that attitude - Hey, we got that P.M.A.”
Since then, PMA has pulsed through decades of hardcore music—carried by bands like Gorilla Biscuits, Youth of Today, and H2O—reminding us that positivity isn’t about ignoring the darkness, it’s about refusing to be destroyed by it.
So here’s how to build a PMA routine that works for you—one step at a time.
Start With the Anti-Routine
Forget the 5 a.m. wake-ups and green smoothies if that’s not your thing. Developing PMA isn’t about forcing perfection—it’s about finding your way through the mess. Maybe your routine starts with blasting Operation Ivy in the shower. Maybe it’s journaling, or maybe it’s just surviving another day.
Clean Body, Clear Head
A hot shower with a scent that grounds you? That’s ritual. That’s therapy. Using a bar like "Unity" or "True Grit" is more than hygiene—it’s a small act of defiance, of choosing to care for yourself even when your brain says nah. Scents like lavender, rosemary, mint, or citrus can actually help reset your nervous system. Self-care, punk style.
Pick Your Power Song
You know the one. The song that makes you feel like you could punch through drywall and hug your best friend at the same time. Start your day with that. Music has the power to shift your mindset instantly. Make a PMA playlist (or check out ours here) and treat it like sonic armor. Bad Brains, The Chats, Fugazi, Bikini Kill—whatever fuels you, use it.
Create a Micro-Ritual
This doesn’t have to be a 10-step skincare routine. Maybe it’s lighting incense. Maybe it’s stretching your arms up while screaming into a pillow. Maybe it’s applying your favorite Wulfhed Lip Balm before heading out the door. One consistent, grounding thing. That’s enough. PMA is built from these tiny, repeatable sparks.
Check In Without Checking Out
PMA doesn’t mean ignoring your feelings. Quite the opposite. It’s checking in and being real about what’s going on—without letting it swallow you. Try jotting down a single thing that doesn’t suck today. Even if it’s just your coffee, your cat, or that one clean hoodie.
Chosen Family = Chosen Energy
Surround yourself with people who get it. The ones who don’t expect you to be cheerful all the time, but still make you feel held. Text your crew. Share memes. Send a song. PMA is a group project. Hardcore scenes thrived on community—it wasn’t about being perfect, it was about showing up for each other.
End With Gratitude (Even If It’s Messy)
Gratitude isn’t about pretending everything’s amazing. It’s about finding something—anything—that gives you a little spark. Your soap smelled good. You got through the day. You’re still here. That’s something. That’s punk as hell.
Bottom Line
PMA isn't a vibe reserved for the ultra-motivated or the eternally optimistic. It’s for the rest of us—the tired, the overwhelmed, the ones trying to keep going. It’s for anyone who needs to believe that they can do better—even in small, messy ways. Build a routine that holds you up, not one that weighs you down. And when in doubt? Wash the day off, crank the music, and keep trying again tomorrow.
Ready to build a PMA routine that’s actually yours?
Start with something small. Something solid.
Like a bar of soap!