Beware of Toxic Positivity Sentences

"Be grateful. Do you know? Other people have it so much worse than you." Hmm, sounds toxic. So, why is it toxic?

For humans as social beings, the interaction between people is difficult to avoid. We usually interact either directly or indirectly, such as through social media. These interactions can have positive or negative impacts.

Do you know? If humans tend to want to show positive things in their life. However, not infrequently, these positive things become poison for others.

Most people, or maybe yourself, like to convey positive words on social media or to your friends. But do the words you say have a positive impact? Or is it precisely toxic positivity?

Toxic positivity is when someone applies an excessively positive mindset, even denying negative feelings.

People infected with toxic positivity will reject failure and consider failure a mistake; they will continue to believe that failure must be avoided. People who suffer from toxic positivity feel that their minds must always be enlightened, so they ignore negative feelings. Negative emotions are valid feelings that must be accepted and felt to maintain emotional stability.

Characteristics of Toxic Positivity

1. Rejecting negative feelings

Toxic positivity is usually disguised as constructive expressions by disallowing the existence of negative feelings. For example, "Don't worry, be happy!"

2. Containing opinions

The person delivering the toxic positivity will convey an opinion, such as saying, "You will get over it soon." According to the speaker, you can face everything, even though you don't know what will happen next. Or, out of respect for someone's friend lying, "You wrote a good fictional story."

3. Giving impressed to avoid problems

For example, "Don't talk about what's wrong. Just forget it and stay positive."

4. Giving impressed to underestimate things

The expression aims to motivate, but side by side with degrading expression. For example, "Just stop being sad and be happy instead!"

5. Comparing things or problems.

Sounds like, "I did it so that you can do it too."

6. Giving a blame

For example, sounds like this, "Stop being so negative all the time."

These expressions aim to motivate, but they are toxic to listeners because of the wrong choice of phrases. Indeed, while the listeners will feel encouraged, in the sense of enthusiasm, that is false and made up.

For example, one-upping someone's sad story is when you try to make your problems seem worse than theirs. While you may think you are trying to get them to be 'grateful for what you have', you're just coming across as narcissistic.

Motivating Tips Without Toxic Positivity

1. Accepting failures and mistakes

Accepting failure does not mean giving up. You can encourage yourself and others to make failures and mistakes as evaluations for self-introspection.

2. Managing negative emotions

If you want to cry, it's normal to be sad. If you are tired, just rest; tired is humane, but it is important not to overdo it. Once you feel relieved, you should cheer yourself up again.

3. Understanding and not judging

Listen to your sadness or your friend's sadness. You have to express the negative feelings in a good way and don't force them to stop. You must understand that sometimes someone wants to express feelings without you giving a solution. If it is needed, you can present a solution without blaming or belittling.

4. Avoiding comparing problems

Everyone has their problems. If you can be strong in facing a problem, not necessarily other people are as strong as you. It's not fair if you compare your problems with other people's problems.

It doesn't matter if you feel bad. You can cry if you feel sad. If you feel tired, you have to take a rest. Positive thinking is not something that can be forced. You don't have to deny negative feelings, and you don't have to force yourself to pretend to be happy.

Conclusion:

Characteristics of Toxic Positivity Sentences

1. Rejecting negative feelings.
2. Containing opinions.
3. Giving impressed to avoid problems.
4. Giving impressed to underestimate things.
5. Comparing things or problems.
6. Giving blame.

Motivating Tips without Toxic Positivity

1. Accepting failures and mistakes.
2. Managing negative emotions.
3. Understanding and not judging.
4. Avoiding comparing problems.

Image source: Toxic Positivity Images |  edweek.org when toxicpositivity seeps into schools heres what educators can do