What is Toxic Positivity? Three Ways To Manage It At The Workplace

Having a positive outlook on life is a great way to keep pushing yourself amid the negativity surrounding you. However, excessive positivity may also skew your view on how to deal with problems and avoid it entirely by drowning yourself in it. This is called Toxic Positivity.

What Is Toxic Positivity?

This term was coined just before 2010 and is defined as the suppression of real, negative emotions. Enduring in this environment of positivity can take up a lot of emotional energy. For some, it has become a crutch to shy away from life's difficulties that we all have to deal with by putting on an excessive positive attitude that could increase the mental and emotional burnout of anyone.

Here are some examples of toxic positivity and how it can negatively affect our personal lives and the workplace:

Management disregarded the reality of their workforce

When news broke out in early 2020 that a new virus has been quietly spreading globally, many workplaces and social establishments had to shut down or work remotely to stop the spread. This disrupted the lives of many and has negatively impacted their mental health. To counter the mental effects of the global shutdown, many leaders have turned to send messages of hope and support to their subordinates. While this was encouraging, the amount of positivity did not dress the disruption of daily living. 

Most of the workforce had to work in their homes and deal with work and home life simultaneously while trying to keep up with work at the same rate. This disrupted the thin wall of work-life balance. 

The toxic positivity messaging of resilience did not help people deal with the new reality they had to face as the lines between work and life blurred. Some were stressed out by having no outlet to deal with the negative realities but still had to keep up appearances that everything is sound. Unfortunately, when reality set in, everyone had to face certain truths but were unable to find time to deal with them properly.

What is the difference between positivity and toxic positivity?

Withholding criticism to avoid tainting the environment with negativity

Toxic positivity attempts to totally eradicate the negative sentiment that surrounds a person's environment. Without a proper outlet for people to offer criticism or a new approach with an idea, we can feel invalidated and unheard. Because of the atmosphere of positivity created, some of us would not dare speak our minds so we won't be perceived as having a bad attitude ruining everyone else's bubble.

Having this mindset encourages mindless followers, not leaders. People want to be led but be involved, others can or want the opportunity to lead. Without the opportunity to speak out, the work can become monotonous and innovation declines because no one wants to step on each other's toes. 

This could lead to more followers than leaders, and for any organization, which in turn, negatively impacts the healthy development of talent within the workforce.

Brushing off reality by taking in a large dose of positivity

Forced positivity creates a situation where problems are ignored and swept under the rug. At certain points, life isn't all bells and whistles. Sometimes we have to deal with harsh realities. While having a positive mindset can help in getting you through the day, we must also have to deal with certain situations that could impact us in the long-term.

Having a positive mindset when dealing with reality is fantastic but, we must not forget to address our feelings and train ourselves to address them. Instead of toxic positivity, take your problems and deal with them with a sense of optimism. With the right amount of strategy and acknowledgment of what needs to be done, things can become better. If not, we can always ask for help.

How To Deal With Toxic Positivity?

Our actions, words and our mindset may contribute to the increase of toxic positivity or can minimize it to the point of thinking optimistically. Here are some tips to get you started.

1. Your words make an impact.

We've listed some words that contribute to toxic positivity and flipped the script that helps encourage an optimistic mindset.

2. Foster an environment that encourages honesty

While we live our daily lives, we may find ourselves demoralized or frustrated to deal with the many issues we have to face. Instead of telling ourselves what to feel, it would be better to acknowledge those feelings and deal with them. This could be talked over with a friend, co-worker, colleague, or a relative. Being honest with one's self is a good way to release the tension caused by situations we have to face.

Read: How To Improve Your Mental Health By Opening Up To Your Boss

3. Give yourself time to regroup by stepping back from your routine

Sometimes, we feel guilty for rewarding ourselves because there is always something that needs to be accomplished. It could be household chores, work-related tasks, dealing with personal issues and more. When convenient, set aside time to mentally turn off the go-getter personality you put up to meet your personal goals. It may take just a few minutes for you to regroup and relax your mind so you can reignite the momentum to get things accomplished.

Remember, we can only expend so much emotional energy to keep us getting through the day. That energy has to be maintained between work and life.

While having a positive mindset is a healthy way of reaching goals, you also should balance it out by addressing problems with an optimistic outlook.

Remember: it is ok to be vulnerable once in a while to let go of the stress; acknowledge those problems and take the time to deal with them. 

Learn more about how to keep a work-life balance by visiting our Career Resources page. And if you find that your job is becoming too much to handle and it is time to move on, you can always #SEEKBetter job opportunities.