These 5 Reasons Show How Toxic Positivity Is Dangerous

What it is, how it affects us all, and how I learned to deal with it.

Photo by Hybrid on Unsplash

If you’re on social media at all, you’ve no doubt seen, experienced, or wondered about toxic positivity. In real life, too. Let’s define the term, discuss how it’s harmful, and ways to cope.

What Is Toxic Positivity?

According to Right As Rain:

• Toxic positivity involves dismissing negative emotions and responding to distress with false reassurances rather than empathy.
• It comes from feeling uncomfortable with negative emotions.
• It is often well-intentioned but can cause alienation and a feeling of disconnection.

Toxic Positivity is a completely different animal than Positive Psychology:

“Positive Psychology is the scientific study of human flourishing and an applied approach to optimal functioning. It has also been defined as the study of the strengths and virtues that enable individuals, communities, and organizations to thrive.

Positive psychology focuses on redirecting our thoughts if we’re feeling stuck; whereas toxic positivity rejects, denies, or displaces any acknowledgment of “stress, negativity, and possible…