Challenge toxic positivity from "summary" of Unfuck Your Brain by Faith G. Harper, PhD, LPC-S, ACS, ACN
Toxic positivity is the idea that we should only focus on positive emotions and thoughts while ignoring anything negative. It's the belief that we should always be happy and upbeat, and that any other emotions are bad or unacceptable. This can be incredibly harmful because it dismisses and invalidates our real feelings and experiences. It can make us feel like there's something wrong with us for feeling sad, angry, or anxious.
Challenging toxic positivity means rejecting the idea that we have to plaster on a fake smile and pretend everything is okay when it's not. It means allowing ourselves to feel our feelings, even the difficult ones, without judgment. It means recognizing that all of our emotions are valid and important, even the ones that don't feel good.
When we challenge toxic positivity, we give ourselves permission to be human. We allow ourselves to experience the full range of emotions that make us who we are. We understand that it's okay to feel sad, angry, or scared sometimes, and that those emotions don't make us weak or flawed. In fact, allowing ourselves to feel our feelings can be incredibly empowering and healing.
By challenging toxic positivity, we can cultivate a deeper sense of self-awareness and self-acceptance. We can learn to embrace our emotions as a natural part of the human experience, rather than something to be feared or avoided. This can help us build resilience and emotional strength, enabling us to navigate life's challenges with greater ease and authenticity.
So, the next time you feel pressured to slap on a smile and pretend everything is fine, remember that it's okay to not be okay. Give yourself the space and compassion to feel whatever it is you're feeling, without judgment. And know that by challenging toxic positivity, you're taking a powerful step towards true emotional well-being and self-empowerment.
