There’s no doubt that positive thinking impacts one’s life. However, in recent years, I’ve come to understand that perhaps positive thinking can result in toxic (有毒的) positivity, which has negative results. What we should be aiming for instead is emotional validation (确认) .
Toxic positivity is the maintenance of positive thinking even in situations where it isn’t appropriate. “It often comes at the risk of denying(否认) our own real feelings or the feelings of others,” says Nina Vasan, MD. While positive thinking in general is a great thing, toxic positivity isn’t. It’s the act of denying anything negative that’s actually happening, and it can involve making people feel bad for having normal human emotions. Someone practicing toxic positivity might say things like “everything happens for a reason” or “just look on the bright side” when a friend shares something difficult in his/her life.
Vasan tells us that with toxic positivity, emotions like sorrow and anger are pushed aside. However, emotional validation allows you to have your feelings. To be exact, emotional validation is about allowing people to experience their feelings and acknowledging that having negative feelings is real and often important. That doesn’t mean it promotes and encourages negative thinking endlessly, though.
Toxic positivity encourages us to focus only on the positive, which can stop us from dealing with the feelings we need to work through. Practicing emotional validation is a healthier option for you and the ones you love. “This can be as simple as saying ‘I understand you’re really sad’.” explains Vasan. Offering your understanding shows our loved ones that we care about their feelings. Besides, instead of telling someone to look on the bright side, you should offer words and thoughts of support instead.
Toxic positivity has become prevalent, and you probably know a lot of people who dismiss your negative experiences with statements like “you’re too sensitive”. Now you can say: Whatever you’re feeling is temporary and allowing yourself to feel it will help you get through it.
【小题1】What is emotional validation?| A．Avoiding risks in terrible situations. | B．Denying people’s negative feelings. |
| C．Maintaining positive in hard times. | D．Accepting emotional ups and downs. |
| A．Perhaps something fortunate is still waiting for you. |
| B．I’m sure there’s a good reason for what has happened. |
| C．You have every right to feel upset and I am here for you. |
| D．I understand your sadness but being sensitive is no good. |
| A．Creative. | B．Widespread. | C．Challenging. | D．Enormous. |
| A．Admitting negativity is reasonable. | B．Promoting positivity is worthwhile. |
| C．Sticking to positivity is significant. | D．Expressing negativity is inappropriate. |
