Toxic Positivity
Every day, we’re bombarded with pressure to be positive.
Every day, we’re bombarded with pressure to be positive. From “good vibes only” and “life is good” memes, to “look on the bright side,” we’re constantly told that the key to happiness is silencing negativity. Even when faced with illness, infertility, and other challenges, there’s little space for talking about our real feelings—and processing them so that we can feel better and move forward.
In this episode, Whitney Goodman, psychotherapist and author of the book Toxic Positivity, shares the latest research along with everyday examples and stories that reveal how damaging toxic positivity is to ourselves and our relationships.
Whitney Goodman is a psychotherapist and owner of The Collaborative Counseling Center, where she helps people improve their relationships and emotional awareness. She is committed to making mental health information accessible and easy to understand, which she does primarily through her popular instagram account @sitwithwhit.
Topics covered
Toxic positivity, manifestations, and the shame cycle
The secret to complaining effectively
Why the way we talk about illness is problematic
Expanding the definition of well being
Why body neutrality is better than body positivity
Do’s and don’t for talking to a friend dealing with something difficult
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