There’s nothing wrong with positive thinking. But it’s become fashionable in recent years to shame “negative thinking.” I put that phrase in quotes because sometimes “negative” just means being realistic. Too often, being positive is the same thing as denying reality: The 3 pack a day smoker with a chronic cough insists they are healthy when you suggest they see a doctor (of course, this could be fear on their part too). The abused wife tells you everything at home is fine even though she has the demeanor of a whipped dog and flinches whenever her husband speaks to her. Your “friend” tells you you’re being paranoid when you (correctly) observe that he hasn’t called you in several weeks and is always “busy” whenever you’re around. He is gaslighting you.
These are examples of toxic positivity. Empathy is not a factor when it’s directed at someone else’s concerns. Toxic positivity sounds more like criticism or gaslighting when directed at another person, or just plain lying or denial when it’s about yourself. In both cases, it helps no one.
I don’t know who made this chart, but I like it because it shows the difference between toxic positivity and real positivity, which includes empathy.
Further reading:
Lucky Otters Haven 