I am excited to talk to you today about an important topic which is particularly relevant during these crazy times in which we currently find ourselves: toxic positivity. While it may be a term with which you are not entirely familiar, I can guarantee that at some point in your life you have experienced it, either on the giving or receiving end – I know I certainly have.

I’ll begin by defining toxic positivity, the evolutionary role of having negative feelings, and the potential danger of denying these feelings. I’ll also share my perspective on positive affirmations, review the signs of toxic positivity, and clarify how it is bad for our health and how to know if you are experiencing shame. We’ll explore the importance of honoring our feelings and embracing all of ourselves, some ways to respond to others going through difficult times, and just how you can avoid toxic positivity in your life. You may very well recognize yourself in some of the information shared today, but there is no shame to be had here – only awareness. Here, we enjoy that safe space where we can give ourselves some grace, learn to pay attention to situations where we may need to respond differently, and to check in with ourselves and give ourselves permission to feel all the things in our lives.

Speaking of safe spaces, as you may know, I have a couple of spots open in the next cohort of my Ascend Mastermind! If you’re tired of battling anxiety and overwhelm, feeling low on energy and confidence, and playing small in your life and work, and you’re ready to identify what you want and how to get there (in a healthy way) while in community with like-minded women, then this Mastermind is definitely for you. Schedule a call with me at http://www.kellytravis.net/ascend or send an email at [email protected] with questions. There are only a few spots left, and we start in September, so time is running out to contact me, have a chat, and see if this is right for you.

 

The Finer Details of This Episode:

- The definition of toxic positivity

- The evolutionary role of negative feelings and the potential dangers of denying them

- Kelly’s perspective on positive affirmations

- Signs of toxic positivity

- How it is bad for our health

- How to know if you are experiencing shame

- Honoring our feelings and embracing all of ourselves

- How to respond to others going through difficulties

- Toxic positivity during the pandemic and when confronting systemic racism

- What you can do to avoid toxic positivity

 

Quotes:

“We’ve been conditioned to believe that being happy all the time is the goal and that positive thinking gives us the keys to the castle.”

“Positivity can be downright dismissive.”

“Eternal optimism and shutting the door on negative feelings doesn’t make them go away. If anything, it exacerbates them.”

“I was literally not being who I truly was because I was so afraid of showing people that I wasn’t happy.”

“Shame is crippling to our spirit.”

“I’d rather be whole than good.”

“The relationship that you have with yourself is often reflected in the relationship you have with others.”

“The act of survival is mentally exhausting right now.”

“Black Americans and other people of color know that positivity alone isn’t going to dismantle systemic racism.”

 

Show Links:

Email Kelly

Study on the effects of denying feelings