I’m so happy to see how many platforms are finally talking about toxic positivity. I’ve been saying it for years — that it’s okay to be a realist, it’s okay not to be okay, it’s okay to allow oneself to experience all the emotions that everyday life and certain situations trigger in your mind and body.
Something I read recently said:
Charles Darwin once declared emotional tears ‘purposeless,’ and nearly 150 years later, emotional crying remains one of the human body’s more confounding mysteries… Humans are the only creatures whose tears can be triggered by their feelings.
Come on, Darwin, I think it’s self explanatory! (Had to be a man… xoxo) How many of you can’t say you haven’t felt relieved after a good cry? Crying does have a purpose and it’s clear.
I hope you can tell when it’s time to seek help, if your feelings are harmful, but pushing that “be happy and positive no matter what” outlook probably does more harm than good. It’s denial. You’re suppressing a biological process, something that will likely help you to cope in the end.
Yes, I think it helps to always look at the positives over the negatives. Reality can be a bummer, but it doesn’t necessarily mean people are being negative when they‘re being realistic or that preparing ourselves for the worst will somehow impact the future negatively. Gotta be wise!
Truth is I’m a big fan of optimism and inspirational words, while also a believer that we have a range of emotions for a reason and we should use them. Obviously, always keep an eye on and moderate emotions like anger; it could get out of control. But be in your feelings, it’s all right. Feel so that you can heal.
