Understanding Toxic Positivity
Toxic positivity is the pressure to only display positive emotions while suppressing negative ones. This invalidates genuine human experiences and can lead to trauma, isolation, and unhealthy coping mechanisms.
Toxic positivity is prevalent in spiritual and Law of Attraction communities. It creates an environment where people feel wrong for experiencing negative emotions like sadness, anger, or depression, pushing these feelings down in the belief they shouldn’t exist. This suppression affects not only oneself but also how one interacts with others, leading to inauthentic relationships.
While maintaining a positive outlook can be beneficial, it’s crucial to be honest about one’s feelings. There’s a difference between maintaining a positive attitude and acknowledging genuine emotions. Authenticity in expressing both positive and negative feelings fosters deeper connections and emotional health.
As a long-time student of the Law of Attraction, I have become disillusioned with some of its teachings. Although I am all for having a positive attitude and expressing positive feelings, it’s equally important to face and process negative emotions. Authentic relationships require honest communication about one’s feelings.
When in a relationship with a narcissist, it is common to suppress emotional expression, leading to significant pain and unresolved feelings. Recovering from such relationships involves creating a safe space to express and validate these emotions. Many people struggle with emotional suppression due to their upbringing, where expressing pain was punished or discouraged.
Life naturally includes both positive and negative experiences. Suppressing negative emotions contradicts the natural balance of human experience. Authentic living involves acknowledging and expressing all emotions, not just the positive ones.
Toxic positivity denies the reality of hardships and shames people for their genuine emotions. It’s essential to validate and honor all feelings to foster deeper self-connection and more authentic relationships.
