The Impact of Toxic Positivity on Mental Health

Hello, I would be sharing with you a topic I find common among us from this part of the world. Toxic Positivity, which I call “Over Positive”. Toxic positivity is the belief that no matter how bad a situation is, people should always stay positive. So, while positive thinking is important, forcing it all the time can be harmful. It can make people feel like their real emotions don’t matter. 

When someone is sad, anxious, or frustrated, they need support, not just happy words like "Just stay positive!" Ignoring real feelings can make a person feel unheard and alone. Imagine telling a friend about a tough day at work, and instead of listening, they say, "At least you have a job!" While the intention might be good, this response dismisses real struggles and can make the person feel even worse.

Facing emotions helps people learn and grow. If we always push sadness away, we never understand how to cope with it. Negative feelings are a natural part of life, and it’s okay to feel them. For example, when a student fails an important test, telling them "Just be happy, it's not a big deal!" doesn’t help. Instead, acknowledging their disappointment and helping them find ways to improve would be more supportive.

When people feel like they must be happy all the time, they may be trying to hide their true feelings. This would usually lead to stress, anxiety, and even depression because they are pretending to be okay instead of seeking help. A mother struggling with postpartum depression might feel guilty for not feeling constant joy. If she is constantly told to "Just enjoy every moment!" without allowing her to express her struggles, she may feel ashamed to ask for help.

If a friend shares their problems and the friend is met with, "Just think happy thoughts!" they might feel dismissed. This can create distance in relationships and make people feel like they have to struggle alone. Instead, listening with empathy and saying something like, "I understand, that must be really hard. I’m here for you," makes a huge difference. Encouraging in honest conversations would help build trust and deeper connections in relationships.

It’s okay to be sad, angry, or frustrated. Accepting these emotions is the first step to healing. Positive thinking is good, but not at the cost of ignoring real struggles. Talking to a therapist, friend, or family member can help process difficult emotions in a healthy way. Happiness is important, but so is allowing yourself to feel all emotions. True well-being comes from accepting both good and bad feelings, rather than forcing constant positivity. Let’s support each other with kindness, understanding, and real emotional connection.

What do you think? Have you ever experienced toxic positivity? Share your thoughts in the comments! 

Comments

  1. Anonymous23 February 2025 at 10:13

    Not at the cost of ignoring real struggles!!! That’s right but this is actually a norm that happen among us, people tend to be soooo positive forgetting it’s toxicity. God help us, thanks for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Anonymous23 February 2025 at 10:15

    Nice write-up, negative emotions are part of our existence as humans but we should not be overwhelmed by it. It's always important to seek professional advice whenever it is necessary.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Anonymous23 February 2025 at 12:11

    This is a great write up. Thank you so much sir

    ReplyDelete
  4. Anonymous23 February 2025 at 13:20

    Staying positive has significant improvements on one's wellbeing. This does not mean denying the existence or the magnitude of the negative situation one finds themselves in. Acknowledging the negative side of things helps us better understand if it is something within our control or not

    ReplyDelete
  5. Anonymous24 February 2025 at 02:02

    Thank you for reminding us that negative feelings is part of life and we face it at some point in our lives journey. This piece is an awareness that need to be heard.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Anonymous24 February 2025 at 09:04

    Insightful read

    ReplyDelete
  7. Anonymous25 February 2025 at 00:06

    A lot of people are not aware of this!
    Well done sir.

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Feeling Left Out: The Silent Struggle We All Face

Image
Hey there, fellow wanderers of the internet!  Lol…   Now , let's dive into something that's all too familiar for many of us: feeling left out or ostracized. Yep, that uncomfortable, sometimes downright painful feeling of not quite fitting in, like you're on the outside looking in while everyone else is having a grand old time. Now, before we get started, let me just say: if you've ever felt this way, you're not alone. Seriously, not at all .  Although research has shown that a certain personality trait (negative emotionality) may predispose one to feeling ostracized.   However, f eeling left out is something that affects just about everyone at some point in their lives, whether they admit it or not. It's like one of those universal human experiences, right up there with hitt ing your toe or getting caught in the rain without an umbrella. But what exactly does it mean to feel left out? Well, it's different for everyone, but it usually involves feeling disconn...
Read more

Self-Love: The Restorative Potential of Forgiving Yourself

Image
As we embark on our path to self-love, mastering the skill of forgiving yourself  is a crucial and life-altering step. To go on this path, one must be brave, kind, and ready to release the past. A lack of self-love and subsequent stagnation in personal development and fulfilment directly result from holding onto negative emotions like shame, remorse, and regret over our perceived or actual flaws. But we may unlock the door to deep healing and self-acceptance when we forgive. Practising self-forgiveness does not include downplaying or ignoring the wrong  you have do ne . Rather, it's a deliberate decision to let go of the emotional weight of the past and proceed with empathy and comprehension. It means accepting ourselves as we are: fallible, imperfect, and capable of change. You are only human! Realising that blunders are a part of life and a chance to learn and improve is what it is to be human. It is very important to be kind to yourself, this is because it is important to t...
Read more

Marriage and Divorce

Image
In today's world, people get validation by showing off their marital status. Some go into marriage for economic reasons, political reasons and or to strengthen a lifelong prestige with families. If you ask me, I would say the essence of marriage is getting lost as the years roll by that even venturing into that fairyland becomes a dread to many of us. And so if the essence of a thing is lost, then there is going to be a lot of problem with handling it. Some people even have bragging rights over being in the shortest marriage in the world... Unbelievable! Looking back at the design of marriage for humans, it was meant to foster love, companionship and for many procreation. Even around the globe, many people celebrate St. Valentine's day, if you must know, the reason for that day was because one person defiled all odds and rules to continue to strengthen what he believes was the will of God for mankind... Marriage. Be you a Christian, Muslim, Buddhist, atheist, etc., there is tha...
Read more