Trend forecasting platform WGSN described the term in their Future Consumer 2022 trend report as “the concept that keeping positive, and only positive, is the right way for people to live their lives. It means only focusing on positive things and rejecting anything that may trigger negative emotions.” On paper, this might come across as a great way to stay afloat in a choppy sea of “unprecedented times”. After all, research indicates that positive thoughts improve mood and lead to less stress and lower levels of depression, highlighting that it’s healthy to practise gratitude and maintain a hopeful mindset. But positivity becomes toxic for both ourselves and others when it begins to criticise and delegitimise any other feeling that arises, including sadness and anxiety.
At times in life it is entirely appropriate to be sad, yet with such an emphasis on positivity dominating the zeitgeist, it is tempting to cajole a sad friend into looking on the bright side. Research shows, though, that for some people this is counterproductive.
This story is from the WellBeing 197 edition of WellBeing.
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This story is from the WellBeing 197 edition of WellBeing.
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