Toxic Positivity

Sorrow and loss are real. Pain will not be avoided.

There will be the great misstep that sends you back. There will be deep mourning for people and even things that go away.

No amount of Radical Optimism will fix that.

The goal isn’t to always be happy. The goal is to maintain a level of control around perspective, where sadness and tears are necessary. To feel things more deeply and approach the ‘all is lost’ moment with the idea of a way out.

Eventually.

If we bury all that in an attempt to look strong or fearless or unflappable, our whiplash will be exponential. People see through the false bubbly nature of forced positivity. The darkness not truly faced only grows.

So let’s face it. Let’s deal with it. And maybe Radical Optimism can help.

Yes, happiness is most often a choice. But let’s not ignore the fact that life can sometimes punch you in the face.