Positive thinking as a solution for our problems seems to be everywhere. When we experience a failure, loss, or some other difficulty, people may tell us, “It could be worse” or “you’ll get ‘em next time.” Not only does this silver-lining thinking not help us, it makes us suppress how we really feel. It creates a disconnect between us and that other person. It makes us feel alone. And it causes stress in our bodies.

In this episode, I’m discussing the pursuit of happiness, positive thinking, and how too much positive thinking can turn into toxic positivity. Toxic positivity is the pressure to pursue happiness at all costs, no matter what the circumstances. I’ll be sharing articles, studies, my personal experiences, some comments from Facebook friends and connections, and suggestions for what you can do instead of wallowing in negative thinking or succumbing to toxic positivity. I’ll also be interviewing my friend Denise Dee about how she helps her clients experience a full range of emotions through her writing course called Tell Your Story.

**Explicit content is a bit of cussing.

Links mentioned in the episode:

“A spinal fluid leak derailed my life of travel and food, but taught me to find beauty in the small things” — Jodi Ettenberg. CNN. 29 January 2022. 

“Can Seeking Happiness Make People Happy? Paradoxical Effects of Valuing Happiness” — Mauss, I.B., Tamir, M., Anderson, C.L., & Savino, N.S. Emotion, 2011Aug; 11(4): 807-815.

Denise Dee website

“Effects of suppression and acceptance on emotional responses of individuals with anxiety and mood disorders” — Campbell-Sills, L., Barlow, D.H., Brown, T.A., & Hofman, S.G. Behaviour Research and Therapy, Volume 44, Issue 9, pages 1251-1263. September 20026.

“Four Lessons from ‘Inside Out’ to Discuss With Kids” — Vicki Zakrzewski and Jason Marsh. Greater Good, Berkeley.. 14 July 2015.

Goodman, Whitney.  Toxic Positivity: Keeping It Real in a World Obsessed with Being Happy. Penguin Random House. 2022.

“Opinion: Dear Sweethearts: Don’t tell me I “GOT THIS’” — by Christine Emba. The Washington Post. 10 February 2022.

Same Time Next Week? Podcast

“The Rhodora, On Being Asked, Whence is the Flower” by Ralph Waldo Emerson, 1899 

“Variety Is the Spice of Emotional Life” — by Kira M. Newman. Greater Good Magazine. 22 Dec