What is Toxic Positivity and Why It's Unhelpful (Ft. Whitney Goodman)

How many times have you heard phrases like "you'll be fine," "don't cry," "everything happens for a reason," or "it could be worse"?

When working through difficult emotions or challenging circumstances like loss, breakups, illness, or family issues, it can be frustrating when we are urged to be more positive.

The truth is that even amid life’s challenges, we’re often pressured into being positive. We’re told to “look on the bright side” and be happy. 

And sometimes we ourselves tend to be overly positive because we just want to fix a friend’s hurt and help them feel better.

While optimism is important and needed, there’s also something to be said for when positivity becomes toxic and prevents us from working through difficult emotions.

But how can you recognize the difference between toxic positivity and optimism? And how can you find other ways to work through negative emotions?

In this episode, Jordan talks with therapist and author Whitney Goodman about what toxic positivity looks like and how we can leave space for our real feelings.

Grab your headphones and tune in to this episode to learn:

• What toxic positivity is and what it’s not
• Why silencing negativity and difficult emotions doesn’t always work
• How to recognize if our positivity is toxic
• Ways to support someone going through a hard time
• How to complain and vent effectively / in a healthy way
• Ways to help your child regulate their emotions instead of resorting to toxic positivity

Ready to dig deeper? Learn more at sitwithwhit.com.

P.S. If you haven't yet, make sure to grab a copy of Jordan's book, Embrace Your Almost.

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