Hi All and happy Monday!
Many of you have reached out to me after a Monday email and say “this was perfect timing” or “that really spoke to me.” I’m sure some of you have read one of my messages and haven’t quite connected with the topic or lesson. And that’s ok! I try to bring positivity and tools to help everyone, but I certainly don’t intend to preach.
That brings me to what I want to talk about today: “toxic positivity.” I just recently became acquainted with this term and I feel it’s rampant in our society. Have you ever had a friend or family member just brush off your feelings when you expressed something negative and said “Oh, everything will be fine!” Have you ever had someone tell you “well, things could be worse!” If so, you have been a victim of toxic positivity, whether or not the speaker intended it. Most likely, they didn’t.
Just like anything done in excess, when positivity is used to silence the human experience, it becomes toxic. By not allowing certain feelings, we fall into a state of repressed emotions. The truth is, humans are flawed. We get jealous, angry, resentful, and greedy. Sometimes life can just flat out suck. By pretending that we are “positive vibes all day,” we deny who we are.
Bottom line: Feel what you feel. Don’t hold it in. Just don’t live there. And find a person (or group) who you know will never pass judgement on those feelings, even if they aren’t always sunshine.
Have a great week!
Kate
Kate Genord 