Lately, the term "toxic positivity" has been making the rounds, but what does it mean? Toxic positivity occurs when someone constantly tries to maintain a positive outlook, voluntarily or under pressure from others. While positivity is generally good, if the sole purpose is to suppress negative emotions, it becomes toxic. Toxic positivity can be detrimental to mental health.
Individuals trapped in toxic positivity often attempt to evade negative thoughts or emotions they experience. However, sometimes, facing and acknowledging these negative feelings is necessary. Prolonged engagement in toxic positivity can pose serious risks to mental well-being and may even lead to depression.
Toxic positivity can also stem from well-intentioned advice from others. Instead of offering genuine support, overly positive statements can burden us and exacerbate the negative emotions we're going through. Phrases like "Just learn from it; many people have bigger problems" or "Don't be sad; this is just a minor issue" may sound like helpful advice but are examples of toxic positivity we often encounter.
In today's digital age, we frequently hear quotes and messages promoting toxic positivity on social media. These quotes can be distressing for someone dealing with problems.
Toxic positivity may compel us to constantly strive for perfection, whether in problem-solving or when experiencing sadness. We don't always need to be flawless, especially to meet others' expectations. We should confront and accept sadness as a natural part of life without the pressure to handle it in a "heroic" manner, characteristic of toxic positivity.
How to Avoid Toxic Positivity
Here are some ways to steer clear of toxic positivity, as suggested by Fitie:
1. Embrace Negative Emotions
Negative emotions such as sadness, disappointment, and anger are a part of life and should not be suppressed. Everyone experiences a mix of positive and negative emotions. Allow yourself to feel and express these emotions without resorting to toxic positivity. You can confide in trusted individuals or engage in activities like listening to music, watching movies, or reading books to release negative energy.
2. Understand Your Feelings
Instead of hiding behind toxic positivity, try to understand the negative emotions you're experiencing. Avoiding or denying these emotions only leads to further issues and increased sadness. Be honest with yourself and strive to comprehend your feelings. Remember that acknowledging sadness is not a sign of weakness or something to be ashamed of.
3. Limit Social Media Use
When going through a difficult time or experiencing negative emotions, consider reducing your use of social media. Social media platforms are often rife with toxic positivity in the digital age. You'll come across inspirational quotes, well-meaning advice, and more. However, you don't need to strive for perfection when you're feeling down. Social media tends to highlight everyone's best moments, creating unrealistic standards. It's not the ideal space to be in during moments of sadness.
In conclusion, toxic positivity may provide temporary relief, but it ultimately hinders personal growth and emotional well-being. Instead of striving for an unattainable ideal, we should embrace our authentic positive and negative emotions as part of our human experience. Self-love means accepting yourself, whatever emotional state you're in.
Thank you for reading, and we hope this article helps shed light on toxic positivity!