The Pressure of Perfection and Emotional Expression in Society

Exploring the societal shift towards toxic positivity and fear of failure, this chapter delves into the stigmatization of vulnerability and the pressure to exhibit material success in America. It discusses the concept of 'effortless perfection' among college students and the impact of suppressing true emotions on mental health. The chapter also highlights the transformative power of writing down emotional experiences, as seen in the research of Jamie Pennebaker on emotional expression.