I “Bright-Sided” Myself Through the Hell of My Divorce

This toxic positivity mindset feels empowering, but does it help you heal?

Photo by Jhosua Rodríguez

Who doesn’t want to focus on the bright side of life? “Fixate on the positives.” “Count your blessings.” “Practice gratitude.”

Therapists tell us that positive thinking is the key to a happier life. But what about when it comes to one of the most painful experiences we can go through? A divorce.

Are we supposed to be optimistic about that, too? Some divorce influencers say yes!

“Divorce isn’t the end; it’s a fresh start,” they urge us to believe. “When one door closes, another, better one opens.” “Out with the old, in with your #bestlife.”

Sadie from DivorcedandHappy.net asks while dancing in front of a Christmas tree to holiday music:

“Have you ever thought of your divorce as a gift?”

Another one of her posts declares:

“Who says you can’t have it all after divorce? I’ve got the remote, the wine, and no one is stealing my fries.”

Lisa Knighton extolls the virtues of her divorce after a 20-year marriage in The Sun:

“I can go out with girlfriends on a whim, book impulsive weekends away and I am…