This week, I’ve been pondering a phrase that’s been circulating quite a bit: “toxic positivity.” It’s something I’ve always wondered about.
I even have a sign in my son’s room that reads, “Tonight might not be a good day, but there’s good in every day.” I sent my daughter off to school with a wall hanging reminding her to, “Choose Happy.”
I’ve often been told that I’m a perpetually positive person. Yet sometimes, when people say that to me, there’s an undertone — almost an annoyance — or it feels like a veiled insult. Perhaps my positivity can be exhausting for some.
When I’ve encouraged my son to find the good in a challenging situation, to reframe things and look for a positive angle — and questioned his tendency toward negativity — he once quipped that he was simply balancing out my positivity!
While I might not entirely agree with the idea of balancing out someone else’s positive outlook, his comment did get me thinking more deeply about this concept of toxic positivity.
I do believe there’s immense value in seeing things from multiple perspectives. So when does positivity cross the line and become toxic?
Perhaps it’s when:
- We fail to acknowledge someone else’s genuine feelings
- We rush past real pain or hurt
- We insist on focusing only on the bright side, even when someone needs space to sit with what’s hard
For me, I’m still going to lean into my relatively perpetual positivity. But I’m also committing to something new: consciously acknowledging — and creating time and space for — feelings that aren’t so positive, both within myself and in others.
I’m starting to believe that acknowledging what is broken, alongside what is not, is actually a more honest, grounded, and genuinely positive way to move through the world. And come from a place of, and with an intention to, CONNECT.
More with Michelle
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Dive into episode 485 of the Biz Book Pub Hub Podcast, where I joined host Robbie Samuels on a panel of experienced business authors to discuss the impact of book reviews.
Reviews are more than mere feedback; they’re a pivotal validation for any author, helping to solidify a book’s credibility and amplify its reach.
Tune in to learn about effective strategies for gathering reviews pre-launch, maintaining sustained interest, and integrating your book into larger business goals. Perfect for authors at any stage of their publishing journey!
Check out the full episode on www.BizBookPubHub.com.