Toxic Positivity

In a previous job, we department chairs had to spend time on projects that were destined to fail. And we all knew they were destined to fail.

The projects were so illogical, recounting them here would cause my left eye to start twitching again.

But we couldn't band together unanimously to tell the boss, "No. This is destined to fail."

Because there would always be that one person.

"Oh, I think there's a lot of potential for this. I'm excited."

It was the kind of insanity one only finds in a non-profit arts organization. Or maybe the government.

Ever meet someone who was relentlessly positive to the point of absurdity? Even when the proverbial building was collapsing? This iconic caricature comes to mind.

Or, have you met someone who is over-the-top, bubbly happy all the time? 

Not that there's anything wrong with happiness.

But when it's a cover for buried anger, sadness, and rage, sugarcoated in denial, that's when we have to prepare to take cover.

And it's usually the people who are super happy...all...the...time.

(Though perhaps I'm stereotyping. Please do comment below if you know someone who's super bubbly happy all the time and you don't think they have issues. I'm happy to be wrong.)

Unwavering criticism and negativity is toxic. But, toxic positivity is just as bad.

Sometimes something just plain sucks.

And instead of trying to see the bright side of a bowel movement, we just need to change it.