Encyclopedia of Opinion
Question

When does a good attitude become toxic positivity?

When does relentless optimism curdle into 'toxic positivity'? This entry maps the answers — that it occurs when bad feelings are denied legitimacy, when people are shamed for not being positive, and when they pressure themselves to ignore hard emotions.

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Toxic positivity occurs when you deny the legitimacy of bad feelings

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Toxic positivity occurs when people are shamed for not being positive all the time

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Toxic positivity occurs when individuals put insane pressure on themselves to ignore difficult emotions