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Toxic Positivity

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Re: Toxic Positivity

#21
> Airing concerns or struggles in the workplace can be really nerve-wracking. Often, we are afraid of appearing unprofessional. We fear being judged negatively. This is the perfect opportunity to practice active listening.

This ^ is toxic positivity. I am not unpaid therapist for my work colleagues. I have my own problems.

Re: Toxic Positivity

#22
I agree with greatly dislike this, on the surface... but this article suffers from basically the same thing itself?!

> I asked our Customer Success Champion, Natasha, about this topic. Empathy is one of her many superpowers.

Groan!

... unless I misunderstood it... now I'm wondering if the 'think positive' lead image was used unironically..?

Re: Toxic Positivity

#23
The article here is a bit too fluffy. The ABC (think BBC, but Australian) covered the topic quite well via one of their radio programs / podcasts. The came at it from the context of illness, which makes it a more concrete example.

You can listen to it here, or read the transcript at the bottom:

https://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/allinthemind/t...

Re: Toxic Positivity

#24

I very much agree that so-called "toxic positivity" can be a problem, but I found this article greatly lacking in any sort of substance. There are no specific examples of toxic positivity, no explanation as to why its bad other than vacuous general terms repeated ad nauseam (did she mention toxic positivity invalidates lived experiences?), and no in depth explanation as to the alternatives other than what is essentia…

Indeed. Was quite excited when I saw the title, but not a great piece. Be interested if anyone's seen any better pieces on the same subject

There's a new book on this subject - "Toxic Positivity: Keeping it Real in a World Obsessed with Being Happy" https://www.amazon.com/Toxic-Positivity-Keeping-World-Obsess...

I also found these articles/posts to be pretty decent: https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-toxic-positivity-509395... https://thepsychologygroup.com/toxic-positivity/ https://www.wsj.com/articles/tired-of-being-told-cheer-up-th...

Re: Toxic Positivity

#25
For actual information about Toxic Positivity, I think the following posts and articles are likely to be much more helpful:

https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-toxic-positivity-509395...

https://thepsychologygroup.com/toxic-positivity/

https://www.wsj.com/articles/tired-of-being-told-cheer-up-th...

And I haven't read it yet, but I saw a new book on the subject is out "Toxic Positivity: Keeping it Real in a World Obsessed with Being Happy": https://www.amazon.com/Toxic-Positivity-Keeping-World-Obsess...

Re: Toxic Positivity

#27

> Airing concerns or struggles in the workplace can be really nerve-wracking. Often, we are afraid of appearing unprofessional. We fear being judged negatively. This is the perfect opportunity to practice active listening. This ^ is toxic positivity. I am not unpaid therapist for my work colleagues. I have my own problems.

OTOH, it’s useful to know when your colleagues are struggling, either professionally or personally. It puts their reactions into context and helps anticipating their performance. If they’re struggling, they will not be giving their best show, as will you and as will I. We’ll all drop the ball, be slower,… and knowing I should expect that helps me, because I can try to cover some of their bases, as will they when I’m struggling. There may also be some unresolved conflict in the workplace that could be lowering everyone’s performance.

There’s no need to get into details or cross over into therapy territory, but a “hey, I’m currently not doing perfectly fine” is a much appreciated heads up for me. Showing that you do care to a certain extend helps people share those feelings.

Re: Toxic Positivity

#28
This is quite a thin article. Not really much to go on in either direction. I'd be interested in some better reading on the subject if anyone has any.

Personally, I think I see a lot more toxic negativity than toxic positivity in the world and I've rarely heard the phrase "toxic positivity" used in a justifiable situation. Not to say that toxic positivity can't exist but quite often articles discussing it come across to me as justifying a defense mechanism people use when challenged over their toxic negativity.

Re: Toxic Positivity

#29

Just using the word "toxic" as a binary classifier of "things I don't like" is a problem. That includes people not being positive enough.

To my mind, I think toxic is a byword for 'extreme behaviour'; and furthermore, extreme behaviour is often a symptom of a personality disorder at its most pronounced.
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