Toxic Positivity
Toxic Positivity
Toxic positivity means always saying “everything is fine,” even when it’s not. It’s like pretending to be happy all the time, even when we’re sad or angry. When someone feels sad or upset, toxic positivity tells them to just “cheer up” or “look on the bright side.” But that can make them feel like their feelings aren’t important or real. It’s like trying to cover up a big problem with a small bandage, like putting a happy mask on everything, even when things aren’t going well.
This way of thinking can hurt because it ignores the fact that it’s okay to feel different emotions. When something bad happens, like losing a job or breaking up with a partner it is natural to feel sad or upset. But toxic positivity says we shouldn’t feel that way, which can make us feel even worse.
Toxic positivity also makes us hide our true feelings. Instead of talking about what’s bothering us, we pretend everything is okay. But that doesn’t solve the problem; it just makes it harder to deal with. It’s like trying to fix a broken toy by hiding it under the bed instead of asking for help to fix it. It creates pressure to pretend everything is okay even when it’s not.
Another problem with toxic positivity is that it stops us from connecting with others. When we always pretend to be happy, we miss out on sharing our real selves with others. Real relationships are built on honesty and trust, not fake smiles and empty words.
Toxic positivity stops us from being true to ourselves. Instead of pretending to be happy all the time, it’s important to be honest about how we feel. It’s important to acknowledge and validate all emotions, including the difficult ones. That’s the first step to finding real happiness and building strong relationships. Remember, it’s okay not to be okay sometimes, and true strength lies in embracing and accepting our full range of emotions.
