Main image via Psychology Today
Just like kindness, people tend to spread positivity all over social media. We’re not saying it’s bad, but forcing yourself to always look on the bright side might be harmful to your mental health.
Life has its own ups and downs and no matter how much we deny it, we all have one of those days where we just feel upset without any particular reason...and that’s okay.
Toxic positivity is the assumption that we MUST remain positive despite our emotional pain or difficult situation. It’s okay to admit that you’re having a bad day and hope that things will get better soon. What’s not okay is you disregarding your thoughts to avoid being judged by others.
So, if you’re wondering how to go about it, here’s a few ways you can deal with toxic positivity.
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Acknowledge Your Emotions
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Feel your emotions. Acknowledge them and sit with them. Avoiding the bad days can bring prolonged discomfort, which may turn into depression in the long term.
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Listen And Validate Feelings
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When someone shares their thoughts with you, try to listen without judgement, even if you don’t personally agree with what they’re saying. Different opinions don’t mean they’re wrong. Never shame someone for how they feel.
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Remind Yourself That It’s Okay To Have Bad Days
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If you’re not comfortable telling others about how you feel, tell yourself and remind yourself that it’s okay to not be okay. Do the things that give you comfort at that moment, free of guilt even if it is listening to sad songs.
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Recognize Toxic Positivity Messages Or Posts
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When you’re texting someone or scrolling through your feed, recognize toxic positivity messages and remind yourself that you don’t always have to respond to it. These messages can be “Always Be Positive”, “There’s No Time For Bad Vibes” etc.
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Take A Break From Social Media
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If everything else fails, take a break from social media. During times like this when we stay home, we’re more likely to scroll on social media pages and this might affect you mentally. Remember that people always want to show only their best side to the world. So don’t feel bad. Don’t think that someone’s perfect.
No one is perfect. We’re all battling something in our heads and we’ll get through it, eventually. So, take your time. There’s no need to prove anything to anyone actually. Embrace life with both the good and the bad.
Make #SelfLove a priority!
By: Piravina Ragunathan
Info via HealthLine
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