Toxic Positivity in Academia
How can positivity be toxic?
When there are a lot of emotions out there, why do we always promote being happy? Since is it the easiest way to describe our feelings, or does no one question your happiness? Happiness tends to be emphasized for many reasons, such as cultural expectations, fear of vulnerability, desire for social acceptance, or coping mechanisms. Negative emotions, such as sadness, anger, or fear, can make individuals feel exposed. People may hesitate to express these emotions due to concerns about being judged, appearing weak, or burdening others with their problems. Again, negative emotions are often more complex and require more introspection and effort to understand and address. These all lead us to toxic positivity, even though recognizing and understanding the complexity of emotions, including the more challenging ones, can lead to greater self-awareness, empathy, and healthier emotional processing. Be positive, good vibes only, no whining zone,.. the list goes on. Don't fall into the trap and be aware that you have the right to be negative, have bad vibes, and whine if you need. Just because someone told you to be positive, you don’t have to be positive. You should not suppress your emotions to be late asking for help.
Toxic positivity can also manifest within academic settings, where the pressure to succeed and maintain a positive image can be overwhelming. Here are some ways how it can show up in the academia:
1. Unrealistic expectations
Toxic positivity sets unrealistic expectations of constant achievement, productivity, and success in academia. It fosters a culture where individuals feel pressured to constantly excel and maintain a positive facade, often at the expense of their well-being and work-life balance. When you don’t show your true color, your academic advisors, collaborators, or co-workers' expectations increase.
2. Ignoring mental health issues
Toxic positivity in academia may dismiss or downplay mental health struggles such as anxiety, depression, or burnout. It suggests that if students or researchers are struggling, they just need to “think positive” or “work harder” without addressing the underlying issues or providing appropriate support. It provokes a lack of support for emotional well-being since seeking mental help can be seen as a sign of weakness in a toxic positive environment.
3. No critical feedback
It can discourage critical feedback or constructive criticism. It promotes the idea that any form of negativity is unwelcome, preventing individuals from learning from their mistakes or improving their work. It leads you not to share or receive comments, ideas, or feedback for your studies from your colleagues. It decreases the quality of work and increases the negative competition at your workplace.
Unrealistic emotions, even positive ones, can be toxic. Ignorance is the rabbit hole; I know it from both my personal and academic experiences. It is important to embrace all your emotions and own them like a boss.
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