Learn to Spot the Hidden Toxic Positivity Pushing

The personal and spiritual growth movement of the past 25 years has been amazing in many ways.

In fact, it’s been an important part of humanity’s evolution to higher consciousness.

BUT…there’s a shadow side to this growth movement, and casting the darkest shade is: Toxic positivity.

It’s tricky because toxic positivity is not always obvious, and it’s often well intentioned.

Take, for example, my Passion Planner. This is the day planner I’ve used for years, and I generally love it. Among its many passion-filled features is a weekly inspirational quote or exercise.

Most weeks, I find these snippets of inspiration to be helpful or uplifting. But some weeks, it’s more of a “positivity pusher.”

For instance, last week’s inspirational exercise was to “take 15 minutes to focus on ONLY radiating POSITIVE ENERGY to those around you.”

I believe the creator of this exercise was well intentioned, but you cannot force yourself to “radiate positive energy.”

If we’re asked to do that, and we’re in pain, then the “inspiring exercise” will actually make us feel worse because we’re simply not able to accomplish the task.

The truth is high vibrational feelings of love, peace, and joy cannot be forced.

We must release any blocked or painful energy FIRST, and sadly, that key part of the message is often omitted.

And because there’s hidden positivity pushing coming at us from a lot of different directions, it actually pushes us AWAY from showing up as our TRUE SELF in business.

Why? The positivity pushing sends the message that we should always BE POSITIVE, so of course, that would include being positive in our marketing and branding and social media.

But that doesn’t work because the TRUE YOU is here to be and feel the range of experiences and emotions. So if you’re honoring your truth, it won’t always “be positive.”

Your truth is sometimes sad or scared or PISST OFF.

And your soul clients want to connect to all the real and raw parts of you. 

In fact, it’s this deep connection to the TRUE YOU that’s going to turn them into repeat customers, referral sources, and raving fans for life.

So the next time you find yourself editting what you really want to say, toning down your language, or holding back what’s in your heart in order to “be more positive”, then take a pause.

Take a deep breath.

Connect to your heart.

Ask your Higher Self, “Are you calling me to share this big emotion or bold message?”

And if the answer is yes, then there’s someone out there who truly needs it.

There’s someone out there who won’t connect to the pushed positivity, but who instead is yearning for the TRUE YOU.