A positive mindset versus toxic positivity

I'm going to be completely honest with you. As a clinical psychologist, I hate when people are told that they should just stay positive all the time. Yes, this course is about cultivating a positive mindset, but I want to go on record right here and now that there is a huge difference between a positive mindset and toxic positivity. So let's talk about the difference. A positive mindset means that you have confidence in yourself and your ability to learn and grow through challenges. With a positive mindset, you won't lose sight of what's going well in your life even as you face difficult moments. Toxic positivity, on the other hand, is an attempt to be cheerful in every moment and deny any negative or difficult emotions. Toxic positivity attempts to avoid pain, whereas a positive mindset acknowledges pain but doesn't get stuck in it. Do you see the difference? For the rest of the week, I want you to notice any toxic positivity in your thinking and in conversations with others. Do you tend to point out silver linings before validating that a situation is tough? Do you have a smile on your face even when you're talking about something really painful? When you notice this happening, see if you can shift into a more balanced perspective. So instead of well "It could be worse" try "This feels hard. How can I support myself in this moment?" In our next video, we'll explore how to lean into all of these tough emotions that you might be trying to avoid.