Toxic Positivity

The Perils of Toxic Positivity

What is Toxic Positivity?

Toxic positivity is the belief that no matter how bad a situation is, you should always maintain a positive attitude. It's the idea that you should always look on the bright side, even when things are tough. While it's important to be optimistic, toxic positivity can be harmful because it can lead to:

• Repression of negative emotions: Toxic positivity can lead to the suppression of negative emotions, which can be harmful to your mental health. It's important to allow yourself to feel your emotions, even if they're negative.
• Invalidation of others' experiences: When you tell someone to "just be positive" or "look on the bright side," you're invalidating their experiences. It's important to remember that everyone experiences the world differently, and what's positive for one person may not be positive for another.
• Increased stress: Trying to maintain a positive attitude all the time can be stressful. It's important to give yourself permission to have bad days and to not always be happy.

How to Avoid Toxic Positivity

If you find yourself engaging in toxic positivity, there are a few things you can do to stop:

• Allow yourself to feel your emotions: It's important to allow yourself to feel your emotions, even if they're negative. Don't try to suppress or ignore your feelings.
• Validate others' experiences: When someone is sharing their experiences with you, listen to them without judgment. Don't try to tell them to "just be positive" or "look on the bright side." Let them know that you understand how they're feeling and that their experience is valid.
• Give yourself permission to have bad days: Not every day is going to be good. It's important to give yourself permission to have bad days and to not always be happy.
• Seek professional help: If you're struggling with toxic positivity, it's important to seek professional help. A therapist can help you understand the causes of your toxic positivity and develop healthier coping mechanisms.

Conclusion

Toxic positivity is a harmful belief that can lead to a number of negative consequences. It's important to be aware of the dangers of toxic positivity and to take steps to avoid it. If you find yourself engaging in toxic positivity, there are a number of things you can do to stop. Remember, it's okay to not always be positive and it's important to allow yourself to feel your emotions.