Toxic Positivity ... A Real Problem

Toxic Positivity The idea that people should always have an optimistic outlook, regardless of how bad or challenging things may seem, is known as toxic positivity. While optimism and positive thinking have their advantages, poisonous positivity rejects any negative feelings in favor of a cheery, frequently deceptively positive exterior. Being optimistic about life is beneficial to your mental health. The issue is that things aren't always good in life. Everybody has gone through difficult times and feelings. Even though they are frequently unpleasant, those feelings must be experienced and handled honestly and freely in order to gain acceptance and improve psychological well-being.

?"It's Okay to be Not Okay"

Positive thinking is taken to an overly broad extreme by toxic positivism. This mindset suppresses and even rejects any hint of human emotions that are not entirely pleasant or positive, in addition to emphasizing the value of optimism. A "good vibes only" mentality that eliminates all ostensibly bad emotions is toxic optimism. It deprives people of the genuine assistance they require to deal with their circumstances. There are many different ways that toxic optimism manifests. You may have personally experienced some of these instances:?

? When something unfortunate occurs, like losing your job, people can advise you to "keep a positive attitude" or "see the bright side." Even while these remarks are frequently intended to be compassionate, they have the power to silence anyone else who may wish to express their feelings about what they are going through.

? Following a loss of any kind, people may assert that "everything happens for a reason." People will say things like this because they think it will soothe them, but it's also a strategy to avoid feeling sorry for the other person.

These words can occasionally be inadequately phrased while having good intentions or coming from a good place. In other situations, people could be at a loss for words or incapable of showing empathy. Nevertheless, it's critical to understand that poisonous optimism can have negative effects. Excessive Positivity vs Hope In spite of trying circumstances and obstacles, optimism is achievable. However, those who are experiencing trauma don't need to be told to be optimistic or made to feel bad about not keeping a cheerful attitude.

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Being overly optimistic can be harmful to those who are going through terrible situations, which makes it toxic. In contrast to receiving unconditional support and sharing authentic human emotions, those exposed to toxic positivity can feel as though their emotions are invalidated, disregarded, or both. Toxic optimism is even regarded by some as a type of gaslighting. This is because it fabricates a story about reality that frequently makes you doubt your thoughts and emotions.

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Adopt the mindset that "it's okay to not be OK." Rather than holding the belief that it is improper to have unpleasant emotions, acknowledge that it isn't possible to be happy all the time. Always remember that it's acceptable for someone to not feel okay. Being upbeat, grateful, and optimistic is perfectly acceptable since these qualities promote human flourishing. When someone responds to someone who discloses that they are distressed, for example, with "It's all for the best," "Just try to be positive," or "Good vibes only," then positivity is only troublesome when it serves to reject negative emotions. The belief that someone should only have a positive outlook despite experiencing emotional distress or being in a challenging circumstance is known as toxic positivity, and it can come from oneself or others.

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