Exploring the devastating effects of toxic positivity on individuals facing hardships such as grief, this chapter shares the story of Janie who experienced the loss of her baby. It discusses the guilt and shame of suppressing emotions, the loss of relationships, and invalidation of personal experiences.
We're urged to stay positive and keep up a cheerful disposition ... but sometimes things are just awful, aren’t they?
On All in the Mind this week we look at why we engage in toxic positivity, why it's so damaging when we do and whether something called 'tragic optimism' could be the antidote.
This episode was first broadcast in February 2022.