Toxic positivity is a phenomenon that has gained attention in recent years. It is the cultural emphasis on always staying positive and optimistic, even in challenging or harmful situations.
While positivity can be beneficial, toxic positivity can be detrimental because it invalidates or ignores a person’s feelings or experiences, making them feel unheard or dismissed. This can result in them feeling worse rather than better. Therefore, it’s essential to acknowledge and validate negative emotions, such as sadness or anger, when someone expresses them.
Here are some tips to avoid toxic positivity:
Acknowledge and validate negative emotions
Listening to and letting them know you hear them is essential when someone expresses negative emotions. Instead of dismissing their feelings or immediately trying to “fix” the situation with positive thinking, it is necessary to allow the person to work through their emotions at their own pace and to offer support and validation along the way. It is helpful to ask open-ended questions to encourage them to talk about their feelings, such as “What do you think might be causing you to feel this way?” or “How do you think you can move forward from here?”.
Allow space for healing
Processing negative experiences is an essential part of the healing process. It is crucial to allow yourself or others the time and space to fully acknowledge and understand the emotions and feelings associated with the experience. Rushing to feel positive or better too soon can be harmful and dismissive of the healing process. Be patient and understanding, and encourage self-care and self-compassion.
Be present and listen
Sometimes, all someone needs is someone to listen and be present with them. Allow them to express their emotions without judgment or interruption. Listening is an important part of any conversation, especially when someone is expressing negative emotions. Avoid interrupting or dismissing their concerns, and instead actively listen to what they have to say. If you don’t know what to say, it’s okay to be honest and say that you’re not sure how to help. It’s better than trying to force positivity and potentially coming across as insincere.
Offer empathy
Empathy means trying to understand someone else’s emotions and experiences from their perspective. It doesn’t mean you must agree with or try to fix their problems every time, but it can help them feel seen and heard. Words can have a powerful impact, so it’s essential to be mindful of your language. Avoid dismissive phrases like “just be positive” or “look on the bright side.” Comparing someone’s situation to others who are “worse off” can be dismissive or invalidating. Everyone’s experiences are unique, and it’s important to respect that.
Practice self-care
Taking care of yourself and your own emotions is crucial, especially if you are a caregiver or support person for someone else. It’s essential to recognize your own limits and practice self-compassion. This can help prevent burnout and enable you to be more present and supportive of others in the long run.
Be Inspired!
But also remember that you have to:
In conclusion
Remember, feeling negative emotions is okay and allowing space for them is crucial. Positivity can be helpful, but not at the expense of acknowledging and validating negative experiences. Accepting and validating negative emotions can create a safe space for healing and support. Recognizing and validating negative feelings, allowing room for healing, being present and listening, offering empathy, and practicing self-care can counter toxic positivity and create a more supportive and healing environment.
