Toxic Positivity

In recent years, the concept of positivity has made a great impact by being the foundation for personal growth and emotional well-being. From social media to self-help books, we are bombarded with messages that incite us to “stay positive” and “carry on smiling”. However, underneath the surface, these seemingly harmless pieces of advice hide a toxic subterranean current known as “toxic positivity”.

Toxic positivity could be defined as the extreme and dishonest hype of positive thinking and the negative emotions’ rejection, minimization, or cancellation. It pressures the individual to maintain a blissful façade of optimism, even in front of real struggle, pain, and adversities. Even though positivity, in moderation, could be a valuable coping mechanism, toxic positivity rejects the human emotions’ complexity, suppresses authentic experiences, and creates an unrealistic expectation of continuous happiness.

The dangers of suppressed emotions:

• Emotional disdain: Toxic positivity rejects negative emotions and this can leave people feeling scorned and silenced. Whenever someone is being told to “just be positive” or “look on the bright side”, his genuine feelings are not recognized and as a result, he doesn’t feel like he is heard and misunderstandings occur.

• Emotional suppression: Continuous feelings suppression can lead to long-term negative consequences. Research has shown that it can lead to increased stress, anxiety, and even physical health problems. Emotions should be processed and expressed healthily for the whole well-being to be maintained.

• Undermining authenticity: Being authentic and vulnerable is required to build genuine connections and promote personal growth. Toxic positivity prevents people from being their authentic selves, creating a façade that can be an obstacle to their personal relations and self-awareness.

Mental health impact:

• Emotional impairment: When people feel pressured to suppress their genuine emotions, they may end up feeling guilty or ashamed for the fact that they experience something else but positivity. This emotional disdain can worsen mental problems, creating feelings of isolation, increased stress, or depression.

• Neglected therapeutic process: Processing and navigating through difficult feelings is a vital part of the therapeutic process. Promoting the mindset that advocates “just be positive”, toxic positivity neglects the importance of confronting and comprehending someone’s feelings. This way, personal growth, and problem-solving are prevented.

Embracing authenticity and emotional well-being:

• Self-reflection: Dedicating time to contemplate emotions, without judgment or criticism, allows a deeper understanding of oneself. Pursuits like keeping a diary, meditating, or going to therapy could provide valuable knowledge about emotions and foster self-awareness.

• Exercising emotional intelligence: Developing emotional intelligence includes the recognition and acceptance of a wide range of emotions; both positive and negative. By recognizing and understanding their feelings people can navigate better through their experiences and respond to challenges healthily and constructively.

• Cultivating supportive relations: Surrounding yourself with supportive people that validate and respect a wide range of your feelings is of the utmost importance. Building relations that are based on empathy and understanding allows authentic emotional expression and promotes a healthier perspective of life.

Even though positivity has its benefits, toxic positivity could be proven harmful to a person’s emotional well-being and social web. Recognizing the importance of acknowledging and processing a complete range of emotions is the key to cultivating authentic relations and promoting self-growth. By embracing authenticity and understanding the value of every emotional experience, we can create a more compassionate and resilient society that’s going to celebrate the complexity of human emotions.