Toxic Positivity & The Hidden Danger of Always Being “Happy”

G'Day Wellnessians! 🌟

Have you ever heard someone say, “Just think positive!” or “Good vibes only!” when you were feeling down? While these phrases sound super cheerful, they can sometimes be more harmful than helpful. Today, we’re diving into the concept of toxic positivity—and trust me, it’s a lot more interesting than it sounds!

What is Toxic Positivity?

Imagine you’re feeling sad because you didn’t get the promotion you've been waiting for. Instead of someone saying, “I’m sorry you’re feeling this way. Do you want to talk about it?” you hear, “Don’t worry! Just focus on the good stuff!” That’s toxic positivity! It’s when people only want to focus on the bright side and ignore any real feelings of sadness, anger, or frustration. Almost like covering up what happened and deliberately pushing you to ignore your feelings.

Why Is It a Problem?

Now, you might be wondering, “What’s wrong with being positive?” It’s great to be cheerful, but pretending everything is okay when it’s not can actually make things worse. Here’s why:

1. Feeling Invalidated: When you share your feelings and someone brushes them off with a positive comment, it can feel like they’re saying your emotions don’t matter. Imagine feeling sad, and instead of comfort, you get a pep talk. It’s kind of like trying to put a Band-Aid on a broken leg—totally doesn’t work!

2. Bottling Up Emotions: If everyone keeps telling you to be happy, you might start hiding your real feelings. It’s like stuffing all your emotions into a backpack until it gets too heavy to carry. Eventually, it might burst open, and all those feelings come spilling out—yikes!

3. Isolation: When you feel like you can’t talk about what’s bothering you, you might end up feeling lonely. You might think, “Nobody else feels like this, so I must be weird.” But guess what? Tough days is a part of the game of life!

The Bright Side of Authenticity

If you haven't read my blog post on authenticity, you haven't lived! Now, let’s talk about how we can be positive without falling into the trap of toxic positivity. It’s all about balance! Here are some tips:

Acknowledge Your Feelings: It’s okay to feel sad, angry, or confused. Accepting your emotions is the first step to feeling better.

Be Real with Others: When a friend shares their feelings, instead of jumping to positivity, listen and support them. Sometimes, just being there makes a huge difference.

Find the Silver Lining: It’s great to find positives in tough situations, but do it after acknowledging the tough parts. Maybe you didn’t make the team, but you could discover a new hobby or work harder for next time!

Toxic Positivity vs. Healthy Positivity

Let’s wrap this up with a little comparison to show how toxic positivity and healthy positivity can lead to different outcomes:

Toxic Positivity Outcomes

Feelings are ignored, emotions are bottled up, and friendships can suffer. People might feel alone and unworthy because they think they shouldn’t feel bad.

Healthy Positivity Outcomes

Emotions are acknowledged, creating a safe space for honest conversations. People learn to express their feelings, and friendships become stronger as you support one another through ups and downs.

In conclusion, while it’s great to be positive, it’s important to remember that all emotions are valid! Next time someone tells you to “just be happy,” remind them that it’s perfectly okay to feel sad, confused, or anything in between. Being real is where the magic happens! 💫

Thanks for joining me on this journey to understanding toxic positivity. Keep shining bright, and remember: it’s okay to not be okay sometimes! 🌈✨