Have you ever been sad about not being able to perform so well or for having lost a job? Maybe you are down due to things didn’t go the way you expected them to be. That’s when people around you throw curveballs with statements like “ Stay Positive!”, “Everything happens for a reason” and even “Happiness is a choice”.
You might not feel anything wrong with these statements until and unless you are at the receiving end. Imagine yourselves as the person who just lost a job and someone who tells you not to be sad and be happy as everything has a brighter side to look at. Does such sympathy help you? Does it make you reflect on your mistakes?
No, it doesn’t!! Rather than doing away with the negative emotions, you just accumulate them inside of you and they just hinder your growth. In such a time, a person needs someone who can rather comfort them, calmly listen to them rather than making them feel guilty just because they are sad. That’s what toxic positivity is.
Thus to define toxic positivity in a more refined manner we can say that Toxic positivity is the assumption, either by one's self or others, that despite a person's emotional pain or difficult situation, they should only have a positive mindset or positive vibes.
While such remarks are mostly intended to be compassionate, they may often be a way to shut down something about what you are feeling that you may wish to express. While individuals also make those comments because they think they are reassuring, it is often a means of avoiding the suffering of someone else. Such comments also mean that if you feel unfavorable thoughts, then it is your own decision and your own responsibility not to "choose" to be content.
These create another whirlpool of undesirable and deconstructive thoughts in which your concise gets stuck and is constantly subjected to suffering. Such remarks are often made by our closest friends and at times by our colleagues.
Many times, it’s none other than our family members as they attempt to cheer us and bring us out from the gloomy state, but some things are needed to deal with then and there rather than ignoring them. It can also be because of your friends who keep posting about their new endeavors and how productive they have been throughout the lockdown,
Social media also plays a crucial role in spreading this phenomenon. You might have come across memes and posts that tell you to change your outlook if you want to be happy. When you are at your lowest, even the smallest of texts can have a massive impact on your life.
Toxic Positivity is thus harmful in a variety of ways. People need to know that their emotions are real when they are hurt, but they will be able to find peace in their friends and family. Yet unhealthy positivity teaches individuals that the thoughts they have are false. Moreover, it sends you over a guilt trip thus making you lose confidence as an individual. Overall, it stops your growth as a human, as emotions play a big role and in differentiating humans from many other species.
To avoid being a victim of toxic positivity, keep in mind some things. The first is to be able to manage your negative emotions. No good comes from denying them, accept it and move on, work on where you went wrong and come back stronger. Always be realistic about what you feel and don’t shy away from feeling negative feelings at times. Also, keep a check on your friends and be the one they can rely on while they are going through the same phase. Be the one to spread the change and stop this toxicity!
You would like to read about Toxic Masculinity
Also, read this article to know Why Mental Health is Important
Written By - Bhanu Jain
Edited By - Kashish Chadha
%20(1).jpg)
0 Comments