Toxic Positivity

[A Former User]

Toxicity isn’t just being very highly negative, manipulative or being a jerk. It can go both ways. Toxic positivity is the pressure to only display positive emotions, suppressing any negative emotions, feelings, reactions, or experiences. A toxically positive person is someone who displays this as their character. People cultivate toxic positivity with the fears of being “mean” or “dragging everyone down.” Negative emotions are just as valid and acceptable as positive ones. It’s just an emotion. But some people don’t believe that, and don’t give themselves the opportunity to acknowledge when things hurt. There is also the pressure to “just not be sad,” and to “just change your mindset.” That can actually be a form of gaslight to fog up the truth of pain. Chances are, some bad situations aren’t bad because of your mindset. And there is nothing besides accepting and healing that can fix it.

When it comes to wanting to be happy in the midst of suffering, there is no “fake it till you make it.”