Having a Positive Mindset is not Toxic

Having a Positive Mindset is not Toxic

Emma Crockwell

“”Toxic positivity is the belief that no matter how dire or difficult a situation is, people should maintain a positive mindset. While there are benefits to being optimistic and engaging in positive thinking, toxic positivity rejects all difficult emotions in favor of a cheerful and often falsely-positive façade.””

Just like most things these days, with the power of social media, ideas can be blown up and the original message lost. Being positive is not a bad thing. Yes, I get it, it’s a blurred line in terms of managing your own feelings and allowing negative emotions be processed.

However, I felt I needed to write this, after hearing so many people talk about being positive and how it actually damages your mental health, worries me!  This attitude seems to have driven people be become constantly stuck in a negative mindset. It’s so important to process your negative emotions to avoid other things occurring later in life but that does not mean you can’t ever have a positive outlook on life. I like to look at my emotions as waves, they come and go. Some people think of them as clouds floating through the sky. It’s important to not get stuck in either mindset, but to allow them to continually change. Like everything in our make up, it is all about balance.

Being optimistic is important, don’t confuse that with toxic positivity. Life is for living and finding little glimmers throughout the day that make you smile. If you’re already in a place were this feels impossible, start small. Wake up each morning with the intention of finding something in your day that made your heart feel warm, if it didn’t happen, try again tomorrow, no pressure. You will get there. 

 

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