The Reality of Toxic Positivity on Social Media

It's time to talk about a serious issue that's been popping up all over social media lately: toxic positivity.

Before we get into this, let's acknowledge one thing: being positive is great. It's nice to see the bright side of things and to focus on what's going well. It's good for your mental health, can help you cope with stress, and even boost your immune system. But here's the thing: there's a difference between genuine positivity and toxic positivity.

Toxic positivity takes it to a whole new level. It's the idea that we should never feel negative emotions and always be happy and grateful. And if we're not, there must be something wrong with us.

It's the belief that if we're unhappy, we're doing something wrong or somehow flawed. And let's be honest here, as working moms in our mid-40s, we have plenty of reasons to be stressed out and frustrated.

We're juggling work, kids, household responsibilities, and everything else that comes with being an adult. We're tired and overworked, and sometimes we need to vent. We should put on a happy face and pretend everything's just peachy. But according to the toxic positivity crowd, that's not okay.

And where do we see the most toxic positivity? You guessed it: social media. Everyone on Instagram and Facebook seems to be living their best life, with their perfect bodies, immaculate homes, and endless stream of exotic vacations. It's enough to make anyone feel inadequate.

It's exhausting, isn't it?

We scroll through our feeds and feel like we're failing at life because we can't seem to measure up to these designed standards. But the truth is, these standards are just that - designed. Those people who are constantly posting pictures of their perfect lives? Oftentimes, they're not showing you the whole story. They're curating their feeds to present a particular image, and that image is not always the entire story.

But the problem with that is that it needs to be more honest. It's not real. Ignoring our problems doesn't make them go away. It just means they'll continue to fester under the surface until they eventually boil over.

So why do we buy into this toxic positivity nonsense? Why do we feel like we have to be happy all the time? Or that "success" is defined by perfection? We see those pictures and feel like we're not measuring up. We start to feel like we're not good enough. We begin to feel like we're failing at life because we don't feel like we have all our shit together or a color-coded, organized, spotless house. We see these pictures of perfect lives and start to believe that's how we're supposed to live. As if our own personal goals and ambitions are without merit unless they measure up to this false standard of "happiness."

But let me tell you something: you are good enough. You don't need to be perfect or live up to anyone else's standards. You're doing the best you can with the resources you have, and that's all anyone can ask of you.

As women, we have enough stress in our lives without adding more. And that's not a good thing. We need to be able to acknowledge our feelings, even the negative ones, and deal with them in a healthy way.

Don't get me wrong, I am not an advocate for publically airing dirty laundry all over for the world to see, and I always try to model, preach, and teach from scars rather than seeping wounds. It's not the struggle that's the problem but the false narrative that certain lifestyles are immune to them.

We need to give ourselves permission to be imperfect. We need to embrace our flaws and recognize that they're what make us unique. We must stop comparing ourselves to others and focus on our journey.

As working women, moms, and all-around badass humans, we have the right to feel all the feels - the good, the bad, and the ugly. It's what makes us human! So let's stop pretending like everything is rainbows and unicorns all the time, and start embracing the messiness of life.

Whether you're having a bad day at work, dealing with a difficult family situation, or just feeling overwhelmed in general, it's okay to acknowledge those negative emotions and give yourself some grace. You don't have to pretend like everything is okay all the time - in fact, that's just not realistic. The culture of toxic positivity can be especially harmful in this context, as it can create pressure to deny or suppress negative emotions in order to present a perfect, happy image to the world. This can be damaging to our mental health and wellbeing, and can prevent us from seeking the support and resources we need to thrive. This might mean reaching out to a trusted friend or family member, or seeking support from a therapist or counselor. By embracing all of your emotions, both positive and negative, you can develop a more resilient and positive mindset in the long run.

By embracing all of your emotions, you can create a more authentic and honest connection with others, and build a supportive network of friends, family, and colleagues who understand and accept you for who you are. It will ultimately help to reduce stress and improve mental health and wellbeing, ultimately leading to greater resilience and positivity in the long run.

So next time you're feeling down, remember that it's okay to be yourself, flaws and all. You don't have to pretend to be someone you're not just to fit into some idealized version of perfection. Let's embrace our authentic selves, support each other through the ups and downs, and remember that life is messy and beautiful all at the same time. And hey, if all else fails, there's always ice cream! It's time to live with purpose and thrive in life-beyond perfection and comparison. It's time to Warrior Forward and Evolve Beyond.

#authenticity #embraceyourself #notperfect #icecreamislife #yougotthis #badasswomenwww.warriorforward.com