Positivity: a beacon of hope or a burden in disguise?” Get ready for a captivating journey as we, Joseph and Madison Whalen, untangle the complex web of ‘toxic positivity’ and its implications on teenagers’ emotional health. Understanding the emotional landscape of teenagers is a nuanced affair and we’re here to show you why. We share personal anecdotes and profound insights that shed light on the harmful effects of suppressing emotions and the importance of emotional agility.
Emotions are the language of our inner world, they provide us with invaluable insights into our needs and values. But what happens when we categorize them as ‘negative’ or ‘positive’? We challenge this oversimplification and show you how engaging with a broad spectrum of emotions can nourish self-awareness and bolster effective communication. We promise you an enlightening discussion that will change the way you perceive emotions.
As we navigate through the treacherous realm of toxic positivity, we bring to light the therapeutic power of art and the role of supportive social circles in managing complex emotions. We share the perils of toxic positivity and emphasize the importance of art, music, and dance in processing intense emotions in a nonverbal way. Our aim is to equip teenagers with the right tools to traverse their emotional landscapes with resilience and authenticity. Join us for this riveting discussion – you don’t want to miss it!
Show Notes
[INTRO THEME]
[INTRODUCTIONS]
Insights Into Teens: Episode 185 “Toxic Positivity”
My confident and aware co-host Madison Whalen
Summary
The constant messages encouraging optimism and positivity are not always beneficial
While fostering optimism is fine, there is a concept known as “toxic positivity,” suggesting that an excessive focus on positivity can have negative effects.
That’s what we’ll be discussing on this episode of Insights Into Teens
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[TRANSITION]
[SEGMENT 1]
What is Toxic Positivity?
The modern era is inundated with messages that advocate for an optimistic and positive perspective, often encapsulated in phrases like “Look on the sunny side” or “Be positive.”
These notions are widely disseminated across social media platforms and self-help articles.
While the intention behind these messages is to promote well-being and resilience, mental health experts are urging a more nuanced approach to their adoption.
While fostering an optimistic outlook does indeed offer numerous advantages, the emergence of the concept known as “toxic positivity” underscores the potential drawbacks of unconditionally embracing positive emotions.
Optimism and positivity play crucial roles in enhancing mental and emotional health.
These attitudes can facilitate coping with challenges, fostering a sense of hope, and promoting overall well-being.
However, when these messages are oversimplified and rigidly applied without consideration for individual circumstances, they can lead to an unbalanced and unrealistic approach to emotions.
Toxic positivity encapsulates the idea that individuals should suppress or ignore any emotions that deviate from positivity.
The belief is that by solely focusing on the positive aspects of life, one can achieve perpetual happiness.
Yet, this perspective overlooks the intricate tapestry of human emotions and experiences.
Emotions such as sadness, anger, frustration, and fear are natural responses to life’s complexities, and they hold valuable information about our inner state and needs.
Mental health experts caution against uncritically embracing toxic positivity for several reasons.
Suppressing negative emotions can lead to emotional invalidation and denial, preventing individuals from authentically processing their feelings.
This denial can impede personal growth, self-awareness, and emotional intelligence.
Moreover, constantly attempting to maintain a facade of positivity can be emotionally exhausting and create an unrealistic standard that is difficult to sustain.
The key lies in embracing a balanced approach to emotions—one that acknowledges both positive and negative feelings.
True emotional well-being comes from recognizing that all emotions are valid and serve a purpose.
By allowing ourselves to experience and express a wide range of emotions, we develop greater self-acceptance, resilience, and emotional agility.
This approach empowers individuals to navigate life’s challenges with authenticity and a more comprehensive understanding of themselves and their emotions.
Q&A
How do you personally interpret the concept of “toxic positivity,” and have you experienced it in your life, particularly in social media or in your social circles?
In your opinion, what impact does constantly maintaining a positive facade have on a teenager’s ability to authentically process their true emotions?
What are the Pitfalls of Toxic Positivity?
The core premise of toxic positivity is centered around the idea that negativity and discomfort should be ignored or suppressed in favor of a perpetual state of positivity.
This approach tends to oversimplify the complexity of human emotions and experiences.
It creates an expectation that individuals should constantly maintain a cheerful and optimistic demeanor, regardless of their genuine emotional state or the challenges they might be facing.
The pitfalls of toxic positivity become apparent when its implications are examined more closely:
Emotional Suppression:
Ignoring or suppressing negative emotions in an attempt to uphold a positive facade can prevent individuals from authentically addressing their feelings.
This emotional suppression can lead to an accumulation of unresolved emotions, which may eventually manifest in more pronounced psychological distress.
Invalidation of Genuine Feelings:
Toxic positivity may inadvertently invalidate individuals’ genuine feelings of sadness, anger, frustration, or fear.
This can make people feel as though their emotions are unwarranted or insignificant, leading to a sense of isolation and a lack of emotional validation.
Emotional Complexity:
Human emotions are intricate and multifaceted.
Attempting to simplify them by focusing solely on positivity ignores the richness of our emotional landscape.
Negative emotions often hold valuable insights and can contribute to personal growth and self-awareness.
Unrealistic Expectations:
Constantly striving for a state of unyielding positivity sets unrealistic expectations that are nearly impossible to sustain.
When individuals inevitably encounter challenges or hardships, the pressure to remain positive at all times can intensify feelings of failure or inadequacy.
Avoidance of Genuine Healing:
Facing and processing negative emotions is an integral part of emotional healing and growth.
By glossing over these emotions, individuals miss out on opportunities for genuine healing and transformation.
While cultivating an optimistic outlook and focusing on the positive aspects of life can be beneficial, it should not come at the expense of denying or suppressing negative emotions.
True emotional well-being arises from embracing the entirety of our emotional experiences, understanding their nuances, and developing healthy coping mechanisms to navigate both the ups and downs of life.
An approach that values emotional authenticity, self-compassion, and balanced emotional processing is more likely to contribute to lasting mental well-being.
Q&A
Can you share an example from your own life or from someone you know where suppressing negative emotions in favor of appearing always positive led to more significant emotional challenges?
How do you think the pressure of toxic positivity affects the way teenagers interact with each other and express their genuine feelings, especially in challenging or uncomfortable situations?
What strategies or approaches do you believe are important for teenagers to adopt in order to maintain a balanced emotional life, recognizing both positive and negative emotions as valid and significant?
[AD1: SSE]
[SEGMENT 2]
Why Negative Emotions Aren’t Really Negative?
The categorization of emotions into “negative” and “positive” is a simplification that reflects the general valence or emotional tone of an experience.
While this labeling can provide a basic framework for understanding our emotional landscape, it’s important to acknowledge that emotions are complex and multifaceted phenomena that contribute significantly to our psychological and emotional well-being.
In fact, the concept of categorizing emotions as purely negative or positive oversimplifies their richness and potential benefits.
Emotions are intricate responses to our thoughts, perceptions, experiences, and bodily sensations.
They carry valuable information about our inner world and our external interactions.
Rather than categorizing emotions into rigid dichotomies, it’s more accurate to view them as a diverse range of responses that serve distinct purposes.
Understanding and embracing so-called “negative” emotions is essential for personal growth and emotional resilience in the following ways:
Insights into Needs and Values:
All emotions, whether considered negative or positive, provide insights into our needs, values, and desires.
For example, feelings of frustration or dissatisfaction can indicate areas of life where our needs are not being met or where there’s a misalignment with our values.
Acknowledging and exploring these emotions can guide us toward making meaningful changes.
Balanced Emotional Landscape:
Emotions are interconnected and interdependent.
Suppressing or denying so-called negative emotions can disrupt the balance of our emotional landscape.
Just as we experience joy and contentment, we also experience sadness, anger, and fear.
Each emotion serves a purpose and contributes to the richness of our emotional experience.
Emotional Resilience:
Developing emotional resilience involves the ability to navigate both challenging and positive emotions.
Embracing and understanding the full spectrum of emotions enhances our capacity to cope with difficulties, bounce back from setbacks, and adapt to changing circumstances.
Self-Awareness and Growth:
Engaging with a wide range of emotions fosters self-awareness and personal growth.
When we explore our emotional responses, we gain insights into our triggers, patterns, and reactions.
This self-awareness empowers us to make intentional choices and engage in personal development.
Effective Communication:
Emotions are a vital component of effective communication.
Expressing and understanding emotions helps us connect with others on a deeper level, fostering empathy, understanding, and healthy relationships.
Processing and Healing:
So-called negative emotions, such as sadness or anger, often arise in response to challenging situations or past wounds.
Allowing ourselves to experience and process these emotions is an essential step toward healing and letting go of emotional baggage.
The dichotomy of negative and positive emotions is a simplified framework that doesn’t capture the complexity and value of our emotional experiences.
Understanding and embracing the full range of emotions contributes to emotional well-being, personal growth, and enhanced resilience.
By acknowledging the role of so-called negative emotions and learning to navigate them, we cultivate a deeper understanding of ourselves and develop the emotional tools necessary to lead fulfilling lives.
Q&A
How do you feel about the concept of labeling emotions as “negative” or “positive”?
Do you think this categorization is helpful or harmful in understanding your own emotions?
Can you recall a time when you felt pressure to suppress your “negative” emotions, perhaps to appear strong or unaffected?
How did this affect your emotional well-being?
The Dangers of Toxic Positivity
Toxic positivity, an environment that overly emphasizes the need for perpetual positivity, can have significant repercussions on the emotional well-being of teenagers and young adults, whether it manifests in personal interactions or online spaces.
This culture often emerges due to various factors, including parents’ uncertainty about how to support their adolescents, a fear of confronting the seriousness of underlying issues, or the amplification of a superficially happy image on social media platforms.
Parents might unintentionally encourage toxic positivity as they strive to help their teens by urging them to remain positive in the face of difficulties.
This could stem from a lack of knowledge about effective emotional support strategies or a hesitancy to address potentially complex and challenging situations head-on.
Additionally, the pervasive influence of social media plays a significant role in shaping this culture.
Online platforms tend to highlight and glorify the positive aspects of life, fostering a facade of unending happiness.
As a result, young people are often exposed to a curated version of reality, making them feel that expressing anything other than positivity is not acceptable.
Research indicates that the societal pressure to maintain a facade of constant positivity can have detrimental effects on mental well-being.
The incessant need to project happiness can lead to feelings of shame and guilt when experiencing negative emotions such as sadness, anger, or frustration.
This pressure to suppress authentic feelings can exacerbate emotional distress and hinder healthy coping mechanisms.
Toxic positivity can impede honest communication about struggles.
Adolescents might feel compelled to conceal their challenges due to the fear of being perceived as weak or inadequate.
Consequently, they may resort to maladaptive coping strategies, such as turning to substance abuse, in an attempt to numb their emotional pain.
Q&A
In your experience, how does social media influence the way you and your peers express emotions?
Do you feel there is a tendency to only show positive emotions online?
How do you think the idea of toxic positivity impacts the way teenagers communicate about their real feelings and struggles, especially in social settings or family environments?
What strategies do you think are important for teenagers to develop in order to effectively process and communicate a wide range of emotions, including those often labeled as negative?
[AD2: ENTERTAINMENT]
[SEGMENT 3]
How to Work With Negative Emotions
Navigating and effectively addressing challenging emotions is a fundamental aspect of emotional well-being and personal growth.
These are five common approaches that provide valuable insights into working with negative emotions while avoiding the pitfalls of toxic positivity:
Clinical Therapy:
Evidence-based therapeutic methods, such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, offer adolescents and young adults essential tools for confronting and processing difficult emotions.
These modalities provide structured frameworks to understand and manage emotions, particularly those arising from trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder.
By working with skilled therapists, individuals can learn coping strategies, cognitive reframing techniques, and mindfulness practices that enable them to engage with their emotions in a constructive and healing manner.
Creative Arts Therapy:
Art, music, and dance therapy offer nonverbal outlets for expressing intense and painful emotions.
These creative modalities provide a safe space for individuals to channel their feelings into artistic expression, facilitating emotional release and catharsis.
Through creative processes, teens and young adults can gain insight into their emotions and experiences, fostering a deeper connection with themselves and their feelings.
Mindfulness and Meditation:
Mindfulness practices encourage individuals to observe their thoughts and emotions with nonjudgmental awareness.
By cultivating mindfulness, adolescents can create space between themselves and their emotions, allowing for a more balanced and compassionate response.
Mindfulness meditation equips teens with the ability to navigate challenging emotions while fostering self-compassion and emotional intelligence.
Supportive Social Circles:
Building strong social connections provides a crucial foundation for managing negative emotions.
Encouraging open and honest communication within peer groups, family, and trusted adults creates an environment where teens feel safe to express their authentic emotions.
Connecting with empathetic individuals fosters a sense of validation, reducing the pressure to maintain a facade of constant positivity.
Supportive relationships offer a space to share experiences, exchange coping strategies, and provide mutual encouragement.
These approaches offer diverse pathways to addressing challenging emotions in a healthy and constructive manner.
By embracing evidence-based therapies, creative expression, mindfulness, and supportive relationships, adolescents can develop the tools necessary to navigate their emotional landscapes with resilience, authenticity, and well-being.
Q&A
In what ways do you think creative activities like art, music, or dance can help in expressing and processing intense emotions, compared to more traditional forms of therapy?
How familiar are you with mindfulness and meditation practices, and do you think these methods are effective in helping teens deal with challenging emotions?
Can you describe the role your social circle plays in how you handle negative emotions?
Do you feel comfortable sharing your true feelings with friends or family?
From your perspective, what are the most effective strategies for teenagers to develop emotional resilience and authenticity, especially when dealing with negative emotions?
Strive for Authentic Positivity
Authentic positivity is a holistic approach to emotional well-being that goes beyond the surface level of constant cheerfulness.
It recognizes the intricacies of human emotions and the dynamic nature of life experiences.
Rather than solely focusing on cultivating positive emotions, authentic positivity acknowledges the entire spectrum of human feelings, both positive and challenging.
This approach is rooted in the understanding that both joyous and difficult moments are integral components of the human experience.
One of the fundamental principles of authentic positivity is the acceptance of all emotions without judgment or shame.
Instead of suppressing or denying emotions that are commonly labeled as “negative,” this perspective encourages individuals to embrace their emotions as valid and authentic expressions of their inner world.
By giving themselves permission to feel and express a wide range of emotions, individuals can develop a deeper understanding of themselves and their emotional landscapes.
Authentic positivity does not view difficult emotions as obstacles to overcome or ignore. Instead, it acknowledges their presence and significance.
This approach recognizes that challenging emotions such as sadness, anger, fear, and frustration serve important functions.
They can provide valuable insights into one’s values, boundaries, and areas that may need attention or growth.
Rather than avoiding these emotions, authentic positivity encourages individuals to navigate them with empathy and self-compassion.
Through embracing both positive and challenging emotions, individuals can develop emotional resilience.
This resilience stems from the ability to adapt to different emotional states and situations while maintaining a sense of self-worth and inner stability.
Authentic positivity supports individuals in learning healthy ways of coping with challenging emotions.
Instead of resorting to avoidance or suppression, individuals are empowered to seek constructive strategies for managing their feelings, which can include seeking professional support, engaging in self-care practices, and utilizing healthy outlets for emotional expression.
Authentic positivity promotes the importance of seeking support from a social network, therapists, mentors, or loved ones.
Recognizing that everyone encounters difficulties and struggles at various points in life, this approach encourages individuals to share their experiences and emotions openly.
By doing so, they can receive empathy, validation, and guidance from others who have navigated similar challenges.
Authentic positivity offers a comprehensive and compassionate approach to emotional well-being.
By embracing the full spectrum of human emotions, individuals can deepen their self-awareness, foster emotional resilience, and enhance their overall quality of life.
This approach enables individuals to navigate life’s complexities with greater wisdom, self-compassion, and a genuine sense of well-being.
Q&A
Can you share an experience where accepting and expressing a difficult emotion, instead of suppressing it, helped you gain a better understanding of yourself?
In your opinion, how important is it to have a support system, like friends, family, or mentors, who understand and encourage authentic positivity?
Do you believe that society’s portrayal of happiness and positivity, especially on social media, affects your and your peers’ ability to express a wide range of emotions authentically?
How do you think embracing both positive and challenging emotions can contribute to building emotional resilience in teenagers?
[TRANSITION]
[CLOSE]
Closing thoughts shoutouts
[OUTRO AND CREDITS]
Show Plugs
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Email us at:
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Transcription
00:00:03:17 – 00:00:53:17
Narrator
Insightful podcasts by informative host for insights into things to a podcast network. And welcome to Insights into Teens, a podcast series exploring the issues and challenges of today’s youth. Your hosts are Joseph and Madison Whalen, a father and daughter team making their way through the challenges of the teenage years.
00:00:53:20 – 00:01:08:12
Joseph
Welcome to Insights into Teens. This is episode 185 Toxic Positivity. I’m your host, Joseph Whalen, and my confident and aware co-host Madison Whalen.
00:01:08:17 – 00:01:09:19
Madison
Hi, everyone.
00:01:09:21 – 00:01:11:07
Joseph
How you doing today, Maddie?
00:01:11:10 – 00:01:13:21
Madison
I’m doing all right. How about you?
00:01:13:24 – 00:01:19:13
Joseph
Doing spectacular. Anything exciting going on with you?
00:01:19:15 – 00:01:22:09
Madison
Had a test today. That was interesting, I guess.
00:01:22:12 – 00:01:30:27
Joseph
I heard we also got your clear standings and you’re watching your class now.
00:01:31:04 – 00:01:31:24
Madison
Number two.
00:01:32:01 – 00:01:37:06
Joseph
Number two. Number two. We’re going to go into that number one spot there.
00:01:37:09 – 00:01:38:08
Madison
Yeah.
00:01:38:11 – 00:01:39:18
Joseph
Yeah, yeah.
00:01:39:23 – 00:01:48:13
Madison
It’s probably best not to try doing that because, you know, it doesn’t do wonders for the mental health.
00:01:48:16 – 00:01:51:18
Joseph
True, True. I didn’t say how we’re going to do it, though, so.
00:01:51:20 – 00:01:54:29
Madison
Okay. Yeah. And I don’t want to admit that on the part.
00:01:55:00 – 00:01:57:18
Joseph
Coaching. Coaching is what I’m talking about.
00:01:57:18 – 00:02:00:27
Madison
Uh huh. Although I’m pretty sure number one’s Kenny.
00:02:00:27 – 00:02:35:16
Joseph
So right now we can, we can have a discussion with Kenny. But anyway, today we are talking about toxic positivity and that sounds like a bit of an oxymoron to some people. The constant messages encouraging optimism and positivity are not always beneficial, while fostering optimism is fine. There is a concept known as toxic Positivity suggests saying that an excessive focus excuse me on positivity can have negative effects.
00:02:35:19 – 00:02:58:18
Joseph
That’s what we’re going to be talking about today on this episode of Insights into Teens. But before we do that, I would want to take a moment to invite our listening and viewing audience out there to subscribe to the podcast. You can find audio versions of this podcast listed as insights into teens. You can find audio and video versions of all the network’s podcasts.
00:02:58:20 – 00:03:23:23
Joseph
Listen as insights into things pretty much anywhere you get a podcast. I would also ask you to write in and give us your feedback. Tell us how we’re doing. Email us at comments and insights into things. Dot.com. Check us out on X and insights underscore things, or you can get links to all those and all of our other social media links on our website at WW w dot insights into things.
00:03:23:26 – 00:03:25:20
Joseph
But shall we get started?
00:03:25:24 – 00:03:26:15
Madison
Sure.
00:03:26:17 – 00:03:33:06
Joseph
Here we go.
00:03:33:09 – 00:04:15:29
Joseph
So what is toxic positivity? The modern era is inundated with messages that advocate for an optimistic and positive perspective, often encapsulated in phrases like Look on the sunny side or be positive. These notions are widely disseminated across social media platforms and self-help articles. While the intention behind these messages is to promote well-being and resilience. Mental health experts are urging a more nuanced approach to their adoption, while fostering an optimistic outlook does indeed offer numerous advantages.
00:04:16:01 – 00:04:26:24
Joseph
The emergence of the concept, known as toxic positivity, underscores the potential drawbacks of unconditionally embracing positive emotions.
00:04:26:26 – 00:04:52:26
Madison
Optimism and positivity play crucial roles in engaging know in enhancing mental and emotional health. These attitudes can facilitate coping with challenges, fostering a sense of hope and promoting overall well-being. However, when these messages are oversimplified and rigidly applied without consideration for individual circumstances, they can lead to an unbalanced and unrealistic approach to emotions.
00:04:52:28 – 00:05:32:06
Joseph
Toxic positivity encapsulates the idea that individuals should suppress or ignore any emotions that deviate from positivity. The belief is that by solely focusing on the positive aspects of life, one can achieve perpetual happiness. Yet this perspective overlooks the intricate tapestry of human emotions and experiences. Emotions such as sadness, anger, frustration and fear are all natural responses to life’s complexities, and they hold valuable information about our inner state that needs and needs.
00:05:32:08 – 00:05:45:28
Madison
Mental health experts caution against uncritically embracing toxic positivity for several reasons. Suppressing negative emotions can lead to emotional invalidation and denial and the behavior and denial are.
00:05:46:00 – 00:05:49:10
Joseph
Not just enough for not just a river in Africa yet.
00:05:49:13 – 00:06:09:24
Madison
Preventing individuals from authentically processing their feelings. This denial can impede personal growth, self-awareness and emotional intelligence. Moreover, constantly attempting to maintain a facade of positivity can be emotionally exhausting and create an unrealistic standard that is difficult to sustain.
00:06:09:27 – 00:06:48:04
Joseph
The key lies in embracing a balanced approach to emotions, one that acknowledges both positive and negative feelings. True emotional well-being comes from recognizing that all emotions are valid and serve a purpose. By allowing ourselves to experience and express a wide range of emotions. We develop greater self-acceptance, resilience and emotional agility. This approach empowers individuals to navigate life’s challenges with authenticity and a more comprehensive understanding of themselves and their emotions.
00:06:48:07 – 00:06:59:00
Joseph
Do you think that you and your experience have been I don’t want to say victim, but have experienced this culture of toxic positivity?
00:06:59:03 – 00:07:24:27
Madison
I mean, yeah, I don’t think I’ve experienced it in like a very extreme form, but I do feel like the idea of suppressing your emotions has kind of, if it wasn’t really directed towards me, it’s something I’ve probably imposed on myself. And, you know, the idea of not wanting to, you know, openly express emotions, you know, with certain people or in public.
00:07:24:27 – 00:07:54:26
Madison
And, you know, you technically had the analogy of that. Our emotions are basically like a boiling teapot. If you keep it closed off for too long and by basically, you know, the equivalent of suppressing your emotions, if you let it build up consistently, it eventually explodes, much like someone would explode emotionally if they had to consistently suppress their emotions.
00:07:55:03 – 00:08:09:23
Joseph
Right. That’s a good point. So in your opinion, what impact does constantly maintaining a positive facade have on a teenager’s ability to authentically process their true emotions?
00:08:09:26 – 00:08:39:24
Madison
I personally feel like consistently having a positive mindset is would be very damaging to someone who wanted to authentically express their emotions. Now, I know I’m not a ray of positivity, and for a while I really wasn’t a ray of positivity and I can understand why, you know, like I was for a while, I was on the bad side of I was on the opposite side of positivity where I thought every day was terrible.
00:08:39:27 – 00:08:55:11
Madison
That mindset is unhealthy and obviously I needed to eventually make manage that and change that mindset. However, thinking every day is great or trying to force every day to be great, I feel like is just as damaging.
00:08:55:17 – 00:09:23:05
Joseph
And I and I would tend to agree with that. I mean, nobody has a perfect life. Nobody has a perfect day every day of their life. Life is about balance, not only just from a positive, negative emotion standpoint, but in general. Life is about balance. And if if the pendulum swings too far to either side, positive or negative, there’s implications to it.
00:09:23:07 – 00:09:49:23
Joseph
Have you experienced a situation where just flat out blind positivity was ever demanded of you, either in school or maybe when you were in marching band or even around the house? I mean, or are Mommy and I, you know, sort of trying to basically tell you to be positive all the time and not deal with negative emotions?
00:09:49:25 – 00:10:20:27
Madison
I mean, not directly. I’ll say that much. I will say, though, there have been times where you’ve kind of had instances where there’s like a bit of toxic positivity that’s slipped in. Obviously, you you’ve told me that, like, you know, not to suppress my emotions. And, you know, I do take that advice to heart. However, there certainly are instances where you’ve told me that I should probably be thinking more positively, more around the times of when I was thinking more negatively.
00:10:21:00 – 00:10:37:20
Madison
At that point, it did kind of help. But even then I was not at a mindset where I was really willing to want to think positively, and the idea of forcing myself to think positively when I was when I when everything just seemed so negative was not really helpful.
00:10:37:23 – 00:11:05:06
Joseph
You know, I can I can certainly see that. And I kind of remember some of those circumstances. There and kind of the way I look at life in general when it comes to this sort of stuff is the negative things that we have to deal with. Our challenges, just like anything else in our life. And learning how to deal with those challenges not only gets us through the challenges, but it also teaches us valuable life lessons as well.
00:11:05:08 – 00:11:24:11
Joseph
So no matter how negative things are, there’s always something positive that you can make out of it. If you look for it. If you don’t look for positive, I’m I’m not you know, what they’re talking about from a toxic positivity standpoint is ignore or something. If it doesn’t, if it’s not positive.
00:11:24:13 – 00:11:25:23
Madison
Or feigned positivity.
00:11:25:24 – 00:11:57:03
Joseph
Or faith, you know, fake it. One of the things that they mentioned is authenticity. You should always be authentic to yourself. But even in the times that were at our darkest, lowest point, you should always be looking for that light at the end of the tunnel, hoping it’s not a train. But you know, if you don’t look for positivity, if you don’t look for a way out of the quagmire that you can get into, then chances are you’re never going to find your way out.
00:11:57:05 – 00:11:59:21
Joseph
Because if you’re not looking for the light, you’re not going to find it.
00:11:59:23 – 00:12:00:19
Madison
Yeah.
00:12:00:21 – 00:12:16:29
Joseph
So that to me is not toxic positivity. That’s kind of that escape clause. When you get down in the dumps or when you’re depressed or you’re negative or you feel like the world’s against you, that’s your way of trying to elevate yourself above it.
00:12:17:02 – 00:12:17:29
Madison
Mm hmm.
00:12:18:01 – 00:12:23:11
Joseph
So and, you know, maybe I didn’t go about it the best way.
00:12:23:13 – 00:12:28:15
Joseph
Why don’t you tell us what the pitfalls of toxic positivity are?
00:12:28:17 – 00:12:56:16
Madison
The core premise of talk to positivity is centered around the idea that negativity and discomfort should be ignored or suppressed in favor of a perpetual, perpetual state of positivity. This approach tends to oversimplify the complexity of human emotions and experiences. It creates an expectation that individuals should consistently maintain a cheerful, optimistic demeanor regardless of the genuine emotional state or the challenges they might be facing.
00:12:56:19 – 00:13:28:22
Joseph
The pitfalls of toxic positivity become apparent when its implication is are examined more closely. Emotional suppression, for instance, ignoring or suppressing negative emotions in an attempt to uphold a positive facade, can prevent individuals from authentically addressing their feelings. This emotional suppression can lead to an accumulation of unresolved emotions, which may eventually manifest in more pronounced psychological distress. Very similar.
00:13:28:22 – 00:13:32:05
Joseph
Like you said, if you hold that all inside.
00:13:32:07 – 00:13:56:29
Madison
There’s also the invalidation of genuine feelings. Toxic positivity may inadvertently invalidate individuals genuine feelings of sadness, anger, frustration or fear. That sounds like alliteration. This can make people feel as though their emotions are unwarranted or insignificant, leading to a sense of isolation and the lack of emotional validation.
00:13:57:01 – 00:14:19:20
Joseph
We also have to consider emotional complexity, right? Human emotions are intricate and multifaceted. Attempting to simplify them by focusing solely on positive beauty ignores the richness of our emotional landscape. Negative emotions often hold valuable insights that can contribute to personal growth and self-awareness.
00:14:19:23 – 00:14:42:07
Madison
We also have to consider unrealistic expectations, constantly striving for a state of unyielding positivity such unrealized expectations that are nearly impossible to sustain when individuals inevitably encounter challenges or hardships. The pressure to remain positive at all times can incentivize feelings of failure or inadequacy.
00:14:42:09 – 00:15:02:12
Joseph
And finally, we have the avoidance of genuine healing facing and processing. Negative emotions is an integral part of emotional healing and growth. By glossing over these emotions. Individuals miss out on opportunities for genuine healing and transformation.
00:15:02:14 – 00:15:35:15
Madison
While cultivating an optimistic outlook and focusing on the positive aspects of life can be beneficial. It should not come at the expense of denying or suppressing negative emotions. True emotional well-being arises from embracing the entirety of our emotional experiences, understanding the nuances and developing healthy coping mechanisms to navigate through the ups and downs of life. An approach that values emotional authenticity, self-compassion, and balanced emotional processing is more likely to contribute to lasting mental well-being.
00:15:35:18 – 00:15:49:07
Joseph
So how do you think the pressure of toxic positivity affects the way that teenagers interact with each other and express their genuine feelings, especially in challenging and uncomfortable situations?
00:15:49:09 – 00:16:12:01
Madison
Well, I feel like there’s also there’s this kind of thing in general when it comes to society along with, you know, teens being social with each other and just people being social in general. Is the idea that being emotional in public is something that shouldn’t be happening or is something that people need to learn to control or the idea of emotional control.
00:16:12:03 – 00:16:45:11
Madison
Obviously, that’s important, but like I found that there are things I’m a person that doesn’t when people say to me, How are you doing today? How’s your day going? I normally respect you know, I normally respond in a very like, it was fine. It was all right. I don’t really respond to like, oh, it was a great day or oh, it was pretty good because I don’t really like, you know, feigning that sort of thing because, like, I never really know how my day is going, even as someone who’s less negative than I was before.
00:16:45:13 – 00:17:01:18
Madison
I still don’t really say I have a good day or say that I’m doing good. And but I feel like a lot of people almost feel like they have to say that or like whenever people ask that, they never really expect me to say things like, Oh, I’m all right, or I’m fine or whatever.
00:17:01:20 – 00:17:23:10
Joseph
And I think I think a lot of times when people ask that they really don’t care either. It’s just a conversation starter in a lot of cases like, Hey, how you doing? And then they just move on and continue with the conversation. And I think as a result of that, it’s become kind of a ubiquitous type of handshake response, like, Hey, dude, I’m doing great.
00:17:23:10 – 00:17:25:15
Joseph
Okay, let’s move on to what we really need to talk about.
00:17:25:15 – 00:17:54:22
Madison
Yeah, a lot of people really don’t take into consideration, like if you ask someone how they’re doing. Like, that’s can be a pretty loaded question to a lot of people because obviously we don’t know what people are going through. And like, someone could be going through a lot of different stuff, but they don’t show it at all because they’re too scared to be emotionally vulnerable around a lot of people, which is understandable, but I don’t think should be happening and I don’t think people should be feigning, you know, positivity, at least to that extreme.
00:17:54:25 – 00:18:17:06
Joseph
I agree. And honestly, I appreciate the authenticity that you have because, you know, you call me, you call mommy when you get home from school. And we have a little debrief real quick. There are days that you don’t want to have that call. And when that happens, you text us to make sure you’re okay and safe and you just aren’t ready for the conversation.
00:18:17:09 – 00:18:41:28
Joseph
When you do want to have that conversation and you allude to the fact that it wasn’t a great day, that spawns conversation, you know, that might prompt someone like Mommy or I to maybe pick up, you know, dessert or something or something like that to try to lift your spirits or it might dictate how the conversation goes. Maybe I won’t be as you know.
00:18:42:00 – 00:18:44:03
Madison
You won’t focus as I won’t be such.
00:18:44:03 – 00:19:05:19
Joseph
A sick poker if you know, I know you didn’t have a good day. So it helps to set the tone, but it also helps to gauge reactions from other people, if you’re honest. But if you’re right, you know, and people aren’t honest about that and you just say everything’s okay, but that’s probably a legitimate former toxic positivity right there.
00:19:05:24 – 00:19:30:28
Madison
Yeah, I’m like, obviously, I don’t think you need to be, like, emotionally vulnerable with everybody you meet. I can understand not wanting to be like, say something like, that’s like a coworker you don’t really know, but especially to the people that like you trust and like you’re close with. I don’t feel like it’s the most I’ll know. I just feel like we could at least normalize the idea of if someone asks you if you’re okay.
00:19:30:29 – 00:19:37:18
Madison
Understand that that’s a bit of a loaded question. So don’t always be prepared for someone to just be like, Oh, I’m good. And then just brush it off.
00:19:37:22 – 00:20:02:11
Joseph
Right, right. And that authenticity, you know, be genuine to yourself, Be genuine to the others around you. It’s okay to be guarded, you know, depending on who that audience is. But don’t don’t be misleading for the for the fact for the sake of trying to get past that question. I think we’re going to take our first break here when we come back.
00:20:02:13 – 00:20:43:09
Joseph
You can tell us about why negative emotions aren’t really negative. We’ll be right back. For over seven years, the second Sith Empire has been the premier community guild in the online game, Star Wars, the Old Republic with hundreds of friendly and helpful active members, a weekly schedule of nightly events, annual guild, meet and greets, and an active community both on the Web and on discord.
00:20:43:12 – 00:21:18:21
Joseph
The second Civ empire is more than your typical gaming group. We’re family. Join us on the Star Forge server for nightly events such as operations, Flash Points, World Boss Funds, Star Wars, Trivia Guild, Lottery and much more. Visit us on the Web today at w w w dark the second civ and fire dot com.
00:21:18:23 – 00:21:51:14
Madison
Welcome back to insights in a teen. So they were talking about toxic positivity. And now we’re going to talk about why negative emotions aren’t really negative. The categorization of emotions into negative and positive is a simplification that reflects the general valence or emotional tone of an experience. While this labeling can provide a basic framework for understanding our emotional landscape, it’s important to acknowledge that emotions are complex and multifaceted that are there.
00:21:51:17 – 00:22:13:22
Madison
It’s important to acknowledge that emotions are a complex and multifaceted phenomenon that contribute significantly to our psychological and emotional well-being. The fact the in fact, the concept of categorizing emotions as purely negative or positive oversimplifies their richness and potential benefits.
00:22:13:24 – 00:22:50:21
Joseph
Emotions are intricate responses to our thoughts, perceptions, experiences and bodily sensations. They carry valuable information about our inner world and our external interactions. Rather than categorizing emotions into rigid dichotomies, it’s more accurate to view them as a diverse range of responses that serve distinct purposes. Understanding the and embracing these so-called negative emotions is essential for personal growth and emotional resilience in the following ways.
00:22:50:23 – 00:23:20:15
Joseph
It provides insights into needs and values. All emotions, whether considered negative or positive, provide insights into our needs, values and desires. For example, feelings of frustration or dissatisfaction can indicate areas of life where our needs are not being met or where there’s a misalignment with our values. Acknowledging and exploring these emotions can guide us towards making meaningful changes.
00:23:20:18 – 00:23:44:13
Madison
It also provides a balanced emotional landscape. Emotions are interconnected and interdependent. Suppressing or denying so called negative emotions can disrupt the balance of our emotional landscape just as we experienced during contentment. We also experience sadness, anger and fear. Each emotion serves a purpose and contributes to the richness of our emotional experience.
00:23:44:15 – 00:24:08:06
Joseph
Emotional resilience is another consideration. Developing emotional resilience involves the ability to navigate both challenging and positive emotions. Embracing and understanding the full spectrum of emotions enhances our capacity to cope with difficulties, bounce back from setbacks and adapt to changing circumstances.
00:24:08:08 – 00:24:32:22
Madison
Self-awareness and growth is also something to consider. Engaging with the right with a wide range of emotions fosters us foster self-awareness and personal growth. When we explore our emotional responses as we gain insight into our triggers, patterns and reactions. This self-awareness empowers us to make intentional choices and engage in personal development.
00:24:32:24 – 00:24:51:21
Joseph
And also helps us with effective communication. Emotions are a vital component of effective communication. Expressing and understanding emotions helps us connect with others on a deeper level. Fostering empathy, understanding and healthy relationship shapes.
00:24:51:24 – 00:25:10:26
Madison
Finally, it also helps with processing and healing. So-called negative emotions such as sadness or anger often arise in response to challenging situations or past wounds. Allowing ourselves to experience and process these emotions is an essential step toward healing and letting go of emotional baggage.
00:25:10:28 – 00:25:45:19
Joseph
The dichotomy of negative and positive emotions is a simplified framework that doesn’t capture the complexity and value of our emotional experiences. Understanding and embracing the full range of emotions contributes to emotional well-being, personal growth and enhanced resilience. By acknowledging the role of so-called negative emotions and learning to navigate them. We cultivate a deeper understanding of ourselves and develop the emotional tools necessary to lead fulfilling lives.
00:25:45:21 – 00:25:57:26
Joseph
So I know we’ve done a podcast on negative emotions in the in the past. How do you feel about the concept of labeling emotions negative or positive?
00:25:57:28 – 00:26:23:19
Madison
Yeah, that’s the thing. I know that for a while I had kind of done that sort of thing where it’s like, I don’t really like I would label certain emotions as being bad or that like I was feeling angry. So that means that I’m not feeling great. And, you know, at this point, I’ve kind of realized that it’s more about, you know, the mood and mindset when it came to the emotions rather than the emotions themselves.
00:26:23:21 – 00:26:55:27
Madison
Because now I’ve kind of learned to understand that pretty much any emotion can be used in a constructive way. Anger can be used to understand an injustice that happens and, you know, have someone encouraged someone to basically go and stop that injustice. And like we said, frustration can help us understand if our needs aren’t being met. So at this point, I don’t necessarily label my emotions anymore.
00:26:55:27 – 00:27:14:10
Madison
Like I might say, I feel a certain way, but I don’t really like I might say I feel an emotion or that I might feel negatively or positively, but I never really try to use the two of them together. I kind of just say, I’m feeling this way or I feel positive or negative.
00:27:14:15 – 00:27:29:00
Joseph
Okay, so can you recall a time when you felt pressure to suppress a negative emotion, maybe to appear strong or unaffected if if you happened to be in a bad mood or something?
00:27:29:02 – 00:27:59:25
Madison
Yeah, well, there’s a couple of things. The daily one probably has to be. When it came to oh, just when I feel terrible at school, because like, at that point I kind of have to get my day over with. And then when I get home, I can kind of let it out. But it can be kind of hard to hold all that in, especially considering I don’t really have many breaks because I have like six classes in a row until I actually have lunch.
00:27:59:25 – 00:28:29:27
Madison
So it’s like I can if I feel bad during like second period, I have to hold on to that for like the entirety of that time until I can finally get a kind of break. But even then, I can’t really let all of it out until I’m home. So that’s certainly like the daily thing. A more personal one was kind of when Dorian died because or well, when Dorian was having to be put down because, you know, we had to make the right decision because we didn’t want her to suffer.
00:28:29:27 – 00:28:53:04
Madison
And we knew that she probably didn’t have much time left. And for a while when we were there, we had to kind of suppress it. And I mainly suppressed it to help comfort mommy because, you know, I don’t think either of us really holding it together well. But, you know, I, I kind of tried to hold on, though, to help her.
00:28:53:09 – 00:29:19:02
Joseph
Yeah, it’s it’s tough and it’s situational. And sometimes, you know, sometimes you have to it’s it’s not like you want to suppress the emotions. But, you know, I think when my mom passed away and, you know, somebody had to make the arrangements and call them, call the funeral home and do all that stuff and get all her belongings together.
00:29:19:05 – 00:29:42:13
Joseph
And it’s one of those things where it hurts. So much. You just sort of want to crawl into a ball and not be bothered by the world, just deal with it. And I didn’t have the luxury of that. You know, you you kind of have to push those down for a little bit to still be functional. You know, you can’t let yourself get to the point of being nonfunctional overall.
00:29:42:16 – 00:29:49:13
Joseph
So there’s dangers to toxic positivity, too. Why don’t you tell us about some of the dangers.
00:29:49:15 – 00:30:25:21
Madison
Talk to positivity, An environment that overly emphasizes the need for perpetual positivity can have significant repercussions on the emotional well-being of teenagers and young adults, whether it manifests in personal interactions or online spaces. This culture often emerges due to various factors, including parents uncertainty about how to support their adolescence, a fear of confronting the seriousness of underlying issues, or the amplification of a superficial super, superficially happy image on social media platforms.
00:30:25:24 – 00:30:48:17
Joseph
Parents might unintentionally encourage toxic positivity as they strive to help their teens by urging them to remain positive in the face of difficulties. This could stem from a lack of knowledge about effective emotional support strategies or a hesitancy to address potentially complex and challenging situations head on.
00:30:48:19 – 00:31:17:10
Madison
Additionally, the pervasive influence of social media plays a significant role in shaping this culture. Online platforms tend to highlight and glorify the aspect, the positive aspects of life, fostering a facade of unending happiness, which we kind of talked about last time. As a result, young people are often exposed to a curated version of reality, making them feel that expressing anything other than positivity is not acceptable.
00:31:17:11 – 00:31:24:23
Madison
Which I find interesting because the news is very rarely ever positive to shame.
00:31:24:26 – 00:31:57:21
Joseph
Research indicates that the societal pressure to maintain a facade of constant positivity can have detrimental effects on mental well-being. Shocker. The incessant need to project happiness can lead the feelings of shame and guilt when experiencing negative emotions such as sadness and anger or frustration. This pressure to suppress authentic feelings can exacerbate emotional distress and hinder healthy coping mechanisms.
00:31:57:24 – 00:32:16:13
Madison
Toxic positivity can impede honest communication about struggles. Adolescents might feel compelled to conceal their chain, their challenges due to the fear of being perceived as weak or inadequate. Consequently, they may resort to I lost.
00:32:16:14 – 00:32:21:29
Joseph
I lost respondent. Consequently, we resort to maladaptive.
00:32:22:00 – 00:32:28:18
Madison
Maladaptive coping strategies such as turning to substance abuse in an attempt to numb their emotional pain.
00:32:28:20 – 00:33:00:00
Joseph
So as a as a simple analogy here, toxic positivity in this case here that hinders emotional healing is very similar to having an infected cut on your arm, but constantly ripping the Band-Aid off like you’re not helping it by pretending it’s not there, by taking the Band-Aid off, you’re just making sure it doesn’t heal. Yeah, And toxic positivity kind of falls into that same light where we’re all going to experience these emotions.
00:33:00:02 – 00:33:09:09
Joseph
And if we suppress them, you don’t learn how to deal with them. There’s no avoiding the emotions. Yeah, trying to be positive all the time is not the answer.
00:33:09:13 – 00:33:10:24
Madison
Definitely.
00:33:10:26 – 00:33:23:03
Joseph
So how do you think the idea of toxic positivity impacts the way teenagers communicate about their real feelings and struggles, especially in social settings or in family environments?
00:33:23:06 – 00:33:49:11
Madison
I can certainly attest to the idea of family environments. Not that, you know, you’ve been like toxically positive. It’s more your reaction to it. And I can understand how, like if teens experience toxic positivity at home, they won’t really want to be open with their parents because either their parents would kind of just try to shut it down and tell them not to worry about it or, you know, they just wouldn’t be able to deal with it properly.
00:33:49:17 – 00:34:07:18
Madison
So I can understand that, like if someone is toxically positive to someone else, it would make a teen not want to open up to them or open up to anybody because again, they’d either be perceived as being weak or their emotions would be ignored and be told to just forget about them.
00:34:07:20 – 00:34:22:12
Joseph
Okay. What strategies do you think are important for teenagers to develop in order to effectively process and communicate a wide range of emotions, including those often labeled as negative?
00:34:22:15 – 00:34:45:18
Madison
Well, I guess the best way to really go about it is to try your best to define it. I know for a while I had a huge issue when it came to trying to actually define my emotions. They were incredibly complex. I had no idea how to go about it and it prevented me from actually seeking help from the people that I cared about because I couldn’t tell them what was wrong.
00:34:45:18 – 00:35:05:25
Madison
I just felt terrible and I could barely communicate anything. So I feel like one of the first steps anyone can really take is to try your best to define it, even if you don’t have, like, a concrete definition of what you’re feeling. The best thing you can do is to kind of try and figure out exactly what’s going on.
00:35:05:25 – 00:35:28:24
Madison
Because if you can at least figure it out, then that’s one step towards being able to either be rid of it or have a better way of dealing with it altogether. Knowing in a way what you’re feeling allows to better communicate with people that can actually help you. And it also helps you get a better understanding of how you’re feeling as well.
00:35:28:26 – 00:35:52:06
Joseph
So that’s a very wise insight into that. And know we’ve talked about it a lot in the past, you know, the ability to identify feelings, to label feelings. And when we say label, we don’t mean negative or positive. But, you know, this emotion here is anger or jealousy or frustration. Once you can put that label on it, you can understand it.
00:35:52:06 – 00:35:56:26
Joseph
And once you can understand it, you can start to cope with it at that point.
00:35:56:29 – 00:36:18:00
Madison
Yeah. And it doesn’t have to be super specific, if you like. I know for me, a lot of times there are instances where I’m like crying or I’m really upset and I have no idea why. And like, I know I’m not always able to find a reason why. There’s just I’m kind of in a mood. And again, that’s more of a broad interpretation of it.
00:36:18:00 – 00:36:35:01
Madison
But simply just saying that to someone or simply trying to express that like, Oh, I’m just not feeling great. Well, still at least, you know, lead to something a little more positive or at least lead to, okay, I know you’re not feeling great. Let’s see if we can do something that usually cheers you up.
00:36:35:03 – 00:36:38:16
Joseph
And that’s usually when I start throwing chocolate back in, backing away slowly.
00:36:38:19 – 00:36:41:03
Madison
Pretty much, yeah.
00:36:41:05 – 00:36:58:22
Joseph
All right, let’s take another break. And when we come back, we can talk about start talking about how to work with negative emotions. We’ll be right back.
00:36:58:24 – 00:37:30:23
Narrator
Insights into entertainment, a podcast series taking a deeper look into entertainment and media. Our husband and wife team of pop culture fanatics are exploring all things from music and movies to television and fandom. We’ll look at the interesting and obscure entertainment news of the week. We’ll talk about theme park and pop culture news. We’ll give you the latest and greatest on pop culture conventions.
00:37:30:26 – 00:38:01:05
Narrator
We’ll give you a deep dive into Disney, Star Wars and much more. Check out our video episodes at YouTube.com Backslash Insights into Things. Our audio episodes at podcast are inside. Into entertainment dot com. Or check us out on the web at insights into things icon.
00:38:01:07 – 00:38:16:13
Madison
Welcome back to Inside to the Teens. Today we’re talking about toxic positivity and now we’re going to talk about how to work with negative emotions. Even though we just said that technically there are no well, there are negative emotions, but, you know. Right. It’s whatever we’re dealing with.
00:38:16:15 – 00:38:18:08
Joseph
Thanks for the disclaimer.
00:38:18:09 – 00:39:00:18
Madison
Yep. Navigating and effectively addressing challenging emotions is a fundamental aspect of emotional well-being and personal growth. These are five common approaches that provide valuable insight into working with negative emotions while avoiding the pitfalls of toxic positivity. One is clinical therapy, evidence based therapy methods such as cognitive behavioral therapy that dialectical dialectical behavioral therapy and acceptance and commitment therapy offer adolescents and young adults essential tools for confronting and processing difficult emotions.
00:39:00:20 – 00:39:07:09
Joseph
These modalities, these modalities. This is why we should do a read through beforehand.
00:39:07:12 – 00:39:34:01
Madison
It’s part of the charm. These modalities provide structured frameworks to understand and manage emotions, particularly those arising from trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder. By working with skilled therapists, individuals can learn coping strategies, cognitive reframing techniques, and mindfulness practices that enable them to engage with their emotions in a constructive and healing manner.
00:39:34:04 – 00:40:12:12
Joseph
There’s also creative arts therapy, which we’ve discussed in the past as well. Art, music and dance therapy offer nonverbal outlets for expressing intense and painful emotions. These creative modalities provide a safe space for individuals to channel their feelings into artistic expression, facilitating emotional release and catharsis through creative processes. Teens and young adults can gain insight into their emotions and experiences, fostering a deeper connection with themselves and their feelings.
00:40:12:14 – 00:40:43:10
Madison
There’s also mindfulness meditation, which we’ve also talked about. Mindfulness practices encouraged individuals to observe their thoughts and emotions with non-judgmental awareness. By cultivating mindfulness, adolescents can create space between themselves and their emotions, allowing a more balanced and compassionate and compassionate response. Mindfulness meditation equips teens with the ability to navigate challenging emotions while fostering self-compassion and emotional intelligence.
00:40:43:13 – 00:41:18:15
Joseph
Last but not least, we have social or supportive social circles. Building strong social connections provides a crucial foundation for managing negative emotions, encouraging open and honest communication with peer groups, family and trusted adults creates an environment where teens feel safe to express their authentic emotions. Connecting with empathic individuals fosters a sense of validation. Reducing the pressure to maintain a facade of constant positivity.
00:41:18:18 – 00:41:28:22
Joseph
Supportive relationships offer a space to share experiences, exchange coping strategies and provide mutual encouragement.
00:41:28:24 – 00:41:49:15
Madison
These approaches offer a diverse pathways to addressing challenging emotions in a healthy and constructive manner by embracing based therapies, creative expression, mindfulness, and supportive relationships. Adolescents can develop the tools necessary to navigate their emotional landscapes with resilience, authenticity and well-being.
00:41:49:17 – 00:42:02:29
Joseph
So in what ways do you think creative activities like art, music and dance? What ways can they help in expressing and processing intense emotions compared to more traditional forms of therapy?
00:42:03:01 – 00:42:41:01
Madison
So I do feel like talking with people you trust about your emotions is a good way to, you know, express them. However, it’s not always easy because it’s verbal and not everything. You can say is going to be interpreted the way that you want it to be or really be able to be best expressed that way. That’s where things like art, music and dance come in, because like those are usually visually visual forms of expression, or at least like you can kind of it’s more or less you can see it and also feel it at the same time.
00:42:41:03 – 00:43:03:19
Madison
I feel like being able to see it and feel it instead of just simply hearing someone talking about it is it’s very beneficial for someone else who’s trying to better understand what another person’s going through. And if you can express it visually through music or through dance, I feel like that’s a very effective way to better get it across.
00:43:03:19 – 00:43:07:12
Madison
If it’s something that’s kind of just hard to say or put into words.
00:43:07:15 – 00:43:28:19
Joseph
And I think you’re right. I think you’re you’re, you’re expending energy at the same time and you’re expending a different kind of energy. You’re using a different part of your brain to get this type of stuff out. Now, we’re on the subject of art. This is probably where I should have plugged in the commercial for the new marks that you’ve made.
00:43:28:22 – 00:43:34:24
Joseph
But is art therapeutic for you or is it a recreation for you?
00:43:34:26 – 00:44:10:19
Madison
Honestly, it can be very therapeutic. I tend to I don’t always I’m not always able to like draw when I’m not feeling great. And most of the time it’s usually recreational. But I do find that when I get into the zone of art, I don’t really tend to worry about everything else going on. It’s like everything else kind of just stops and I’m just there with my art and I’m just working on whatever I’m drawing and the focus I’m able to put in that and the creativity and ideas that I find myself going through when I end up drawing.
00:44:10:19 – 00:44:16:25
Madison
It’s very therapeutic and it kind of acts as my own therapy even when I don’t intended to be.
00:44:16:27 – 00:44:37:26
Joseph
Yeah, you kind of. I know what you mean. You kind of get in that zone there and what you get in there, it’s almost like you’re in a meditative state at that point when you’re the creativity is just flowing out through whatever medium you’ve chosen. Can you describe the role your social circle plays and how you handle negative emotions or what?
00:44:37:26 – 00:44:42:24
Joseph
We’re not labeling negative emotions, but complex emotional actions.
00:44:42:24 – 00:45:04:23
Madison
Yeah, I personally think I have a lot of friends who are very accepting and I’m very accepting of them, and I feel like the importance of having a social circle that can either even even if they can’t always help you with your emotions, the idea of at least them being an outlet for where you can at least express it and talk about it.
00:45:04:25 – 00:45:28:20
Madison
Because again, you know, the idea of talking through your emotions, like we’ve said before on the podcast, can be very beneficial. And just having friends you can trust in order to at least talk with not even necessarily get advice from just at least them being there and them and you being able to trust them, I feel is very beneficial in how you can help deal with your emotions.
00:45:28:20 – 00:45:51:18
Madison
I’ve certainly found that to be very helpful because like the idea of having friends that, you know, care about my situation, if I’m going through something difficult and friends that are willing to support me, even if they don’t completely understand it, it tends to help me realize that like, okay, I’m going through something right now, but I have a support group and, you know, I can always seem to trust them.
00:45:51:20 – 00:46:14:13
Joseph
Yeah. Having a support system I think is vital. Going through things like this. Not only do they reaffirm things like you may lose faith in yourself, you may well, you know, start to believe some of those negative thoughts in your head and they’re there to kind of pick you up and dust you off and you back up and show you what your self-worth really is.
00:46:14:15 – 00:46:16:29
Joseph
And it’s not that evil voice that’s in your head.
00:46:16:29 – 00:46:27:00
Madison
Yeah, that’s the thing. Me and my friends kind of joke with each other in the ways of like all kind of provide. We’re all the positive voices in each other’s heads because we’re all our own worst enemies.
00:46:27:03 – 00:46:47:06
Joseph
Yeah, and that’s true. I mean, having someone else there that can fill that gap if you don’t if you’re not capable or in some cases willing to do it yourself, having someone else there to do it can be literally a lifesaver. One of the other things that I wanted to talk about was the need to strive for authentic positivity.
00:46:47:08 – 00:47:25:09
Joseph
I think that authentic positivity is a holistic approach to emotional well-being that goes beyond the surface level of constant cheerfulness. It recognizes the intricacies of human emotions and the dynamic nature of life experiences, rather than solely focusing on cultivating positive emotions, authentic positivity acknowledges the entire spectrum of human feelings, both positive and challenging. This approach is rooted in the understanding that both joyous and difficult moments are integral components of the human experience.
00:47:25:11 – 00:47:54:05
Madison
One of the fundamental principles of authentic positivity is the acceptance of all emotions without judgment or shame. Instead of suppressing or denying emotions that are commonly labeled as negative. This perspective encourages individuals to embrace their emotions as valid and authentic expressions of their inner world by giving themselves permission to feel and express a wide range of emotions. Individuals can develop a deeper understanding of themselves and their emotional landscapes.
00:47:54:08 – 00:48:34:12
Joseph
Authentic positivity does not view difficult emotions as obstacles overcome or ignore. Instead, it acknowledges their presence and significance. This approach recognizes that challenging emotions, such as sadness, anger, fear and frustration serve important functions. They can provide valuable insight into one’s values, boundaries and areas that may need attention or growth. Rather than avoiding these emotions. Authentic positivity encourages individuals to navigate them with empathy and self-compassion.
00:48:34:15 – 00:49:12:08
Madison
Through embracing both both positive and challenging emotions, individuals can develop emotional resilience. This resilience stems from the ability to adapt to different emotional states and situations while maintaining a sense of self-worth and inner stability. Authentic positivity supports individuals and learning healthy ways of coping with challenging emotions instead of resorting to avoid and to suppression individuals or empowered to seek constructive strategies for maintaining their for managing their emotions, which can include seeking professional support, engaging in self-care practices, and utilizing healthy outlets for emotional expression.
00:49:12:10 – 00:49:43:01
Joseph
Authentic positivity promotes the importance of seeking support from a social network therapist, mentors or loved ones, recognizing that everyone encounters difficulties and struggles at various points in life. This approach encourages individuals to share their experiences and emotions openly. By doing so, they can receive empathy, validation and guidance from others who have navigated similar challenges.
00:49:43:04 – 00:50:06:17
Madison
Authentic positivity offers a comprehensive and compassionate approach to emotional well-being by embracing the full spectrum of human emotions. Individuals can deepen their self-awareness, foster emotional resilience, and enhance their overall quality of life. This approach enables individuals to navigate life’s complexities with greater wisdom, self-compassion, and a genuine sense of well-being.
00:50:06:19 – 00:50:26:25
Joseph
So do you think you operate in a cloud of toxic positivity these days? Or do you think the positive that you do have you have you have good days and bad days? Do you think the positivity that you have these days is a genuine form of positivity?
00:50:26:28 – 00:50:54:22
Madison
I honestly feel like for the most part I do think that most of the positivity I have tends to be genuine, mainly because I don’t always like to hide my negative emotions. Sure, I’ll suppress it at times when I don’t either, where I feel like I don’t want to express it or feel like I don’t. I can express it when it comes to being in public, but I feel like most of the positivity I experience is genuine.
00:50:54:22 – 00:51:08:06
Madison
And even then when I experience positive emotions, I’m quite shocked at myself, which, you know, I mean, I shouldn’t be shocked, but, you know, it’s it still, you know, feels good, I guess.
00:51:08:08 – 00:51:29:03
Joseph
Well, now, see, the thing is, is considering where you were and the journey that you’ve come through and where you are today, it’s good to see that kind of progress. That’s the emotional growth, the emotional maturity that we’ve been talking about a lot on the podcast and the last 20 or 30 episodes that we’ve done.
00:51:29:08 – 00:51:30:09
Madison
Yeah.
00:51:30:11 – 00:52:09:13
Joseph
So seeing that growth, you know, it’s like there’s a lot of things the parents see their kids do. They bring home good grades or you get compliments on how well you behaved your when you’re at a restaurant or something like that. That’s all stuff that, that makes me as a parent feel good. But seeing the growth and in fact, seeing that growth episode after episode really tells me that you’re reaching that, you know, emotion, maturity level, that, you know, you can handle these things.
00:52:09:17 – 00:52:30:07
Joseph
It’s sort of like driving, right? When you first started learning how to drive, it was terrifying for me at least. I mean, we had a couple of scary calls or, you know, you didn’t have the confidence that you had. And the last time that I took you out, we did highway driving, we did parallel parking, and you were a champ.
00:52:30:09 – 00:52:59:22
Joseph
And it was all a bunch of little steps that got us there. And and the journey to manage, to learn, to manage your complex emotions is the same thing. And that’s sort of what we’re talking about here is the toxic positivity, the grades from that. You know, as long as you’re realistic and you’re authentic and you’re honest with yourself, that’s that level of maturity that that everyone’s looking for.
00:52:59:24 – 00:53:14:24
Joseph
I think that was all we had today. We’re going to take a quick break. We’ll come back. Get your closing thoughts and finish up the podcast. We’ll be right back.
00:53:14:27 – 00:53:43:05
Madison
All right. So to everyone out there, I just wanted to say that every emotion someone feels valid. I wouldn’t say any emotion is necessarily positive or necessarily negative, but there are obviously moments where people feel good and people feel bad and people can just feel like they’re not really either. And I do understand that people that do spread toxic positivity for the most part, they do have good intentions.
00:53:43:05 – 00:54:08:26
Madison
It’s just there’s not the understanding that suppressing your emotions isn’t really very helpful. And to reiterate. Suppressing your emotions isn’t really helpful. And as long as people are able to understand that, I feel like the idea of communicating it with people that you trust and knowing that it’s okay to express your emotions no matter what they are in healthy ways and in healthy doses.
00:54:09:02 – 00:54:12:21
Madison
I feel like is something that everyone can benefit from.
00:54:12:28 – 00:54:16:18
Joseph
All right. Sage words, as always.
00:54:16:24 – 00:54:18:03
Madison
Thank you.
00:54:18:06 – 00:54:43:18
Joseph
Before we do go, I want to take a moment once again to implore you to subscribe to the podcast. You can find audio only versions of this podcast listed as insights into teens. You can also find audio and video versions of all the network’s podcasts listed as insights and the things. Anywhere you can get a podcast now Apple, Spotify, Google, etc..
00:54:43:20 – 00:55:21:22
Joseph
I would also encourage you to writing give us your feedback, emails and comments and insights into things that can hit us up on Twitter. At Insights underscore things. It’s not just X, it’s both. Now you can find high res versions of all of our videos on YouTube at YouTube.com slash insights and the things we do stream live five days a week on Twitch at Twitch that TV slash insights into things and you can find links to all that and more on our official website at WW W dot insights into things dot com and you.
00:55:21:25 – 00:55:30:03
Madison
Don’t forget to check out our other two podcast inserts and entertainment hosted by you and Sam now and entertain tomorrow hosted by your mommy.
00:55:30:09 – 00:55:40:09
Joseph
There we go I like that that’s much better marketing than the the lack of confidence you were giving us before we as running tells that we do them once in a while.
00:55:40:11 – 00:55:54:20
Madison
Look like I don’t really know when you guys are doing it. Well, this is the only podcast that we technically do weekly anymore. There was a whole stick that I had originally. It kind of messed it up with the scheduling. I’m sorry, I’m still trying to deal with them.
00:55:54:22 – 00:56:00:09
Joseph
You got a new shtick, that’s all. That’s all wrong with that. Now. That’s all. Folks know the one of the books.
00:56:00:10 – 00:56:01:02
Madison
By me, one.
00:56:01:04 – 00:56:19:13
Joseph
By the.