World Mental Health Day 2023: The Dark Side Of Positivity Culture

‘Be positive,’ ‘Think positive,’ and ‘Embrace positivity’ are phrases that have become like mantra chants these days. Everywhere you go, you find someone blowing the horn of positivity. Although having a positive attitude and outlook in life is a good thing, however, when at every corner you are faced with a self-help book or a motivational speaker, the positivity starts to become overwhelming. While optimism is undoubtedly a powerful tool for personal growth and financial success, it’s essential to acknowledge that this culture can have its dark side.

Overemphasis on creating a positive environment, where individuals acquire and promote positivity, can quickly become a place where people feel pressured to maintain a facade of positivity and happiness in the face of anything and everything, which will have an opposite of the intended effect. While the positivity culture has its share of benefits, there are some downsides, too.

Toxic Positivity is the relentless pursuit of positivity and happiness, even when faced with genuine struggles and negative emotions. The need to be always positive may lead an individual to denial, where they are just not ready to accept their own feelings and deny the validity of their own sufferings and emotions. Toxic positivity is dangerous to mental and emotional health.

Dr Chandni Tugnait is M.D. (Alternative Medicines), Psychotherapist, Life Coach, Business Coach, NLP Expert, Healer, Founder & Director – Gateway of Healing share some dark impacts of toxic positivity

1. Unrealistic ExpectationsWith the onset of positivity culture, the idea that if you have a positive outlook in life, all your problems will disappear has taken root. Such a concept can lead people to disappointment and disillusionment when faced with obstacles that just won’t go away with a positive mindset.
2. Blame and Victim-BlamingPositivity Culture often implies that an individual is responsible for their circumstances, and with a positive attitude, they can also change their situations. Such an outlook leads to victim blaming, where others blame individuals who are suffering for not having a positive enough mindset to overcome adversity.
3. Suppresses AuthenticityPositivity culture often leads people to mask their true selves and present a facade of positivity and happiness, no matter how they feel from the inside, just so that they would fit in with the crowd.
4. Neglecting Real IssuesA sole focus on a positive outlook can make you neglect the real issues in life that require attention to detail, as those issues may seem too negative to focus on, and hence, it leads to them becoming worse over time.
5. Emotional FatigueConstantly presenting a positive outlook can be very exhausting. This emotional labour leads to stress and burnout constantly.

Remember that it’s normal to not always be happy and positive. Effectively managing unpleasant emotions is the goal, instead of suppressing them. Promoting positivity and a can-do attitude offers benefits, but it’s important to be aware of the negative effects that could result from an overly positive outlook. Balance is essential for personal development and general well-being, and it’s important to recognize and deal with uncomfortable feelings and practical difficulties using emotional mastery tools.