The power of Negative Thinking, (looking on the bright side can become too much, an article concerning Toxic Positivity)

Packerjohn said:
Being negative all the time makes you a grumpy ole' man/woman. Being positive all the time seems to indicate that you are hiding behind rose-coloured glasses. I like to call "an ace an ace" and just use common sense. Yes, I would like more common sense. I see very little of it during these Covid days!
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I do agree that too much negativity in someone's make up is a bad trait, and usually puts other people off them, (/me, when I'm guilty of it).
However people falsely putting themselves forward as being positive, on top of the world types, create barriers too I feel, maybe because they're essentially setting an agenda for you, (are you to accept or reject this positive narrative they keep espousing for example?).
My father had a genuinely good humoured, positive outlook, and this meant he was popular, (though I'm not sure just how close some friends really were, and he did say sagaciously that "friendships don't last for ever"!). :)
 

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grahamg said:
You are both right in so many ways I'm sure, and don't wish to question your views really, except to say, (using another one of my fathers sayings), "It wouldn't do if everyone in the world were the same"! :)
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So true how boring if everyone were the same...
 

Victor said:
Positive thinking is overrated for the masses. It will sell books. The negative thinker is realistic and likely to be right but the positive person is happier according to a study. My mother was loaded with phony optimism. And cliches like the glass is half full even when she knew nothing. I like people who complain about life Not about me. A critical man is often smarter. Beware of wishful thinking!
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Yes but wishful thinking is not what positive thinking is at its best. Seeing everything as doom and gloom or having unrealistic wishful thinking are extremes IMO that need to be avoided.
 
Don M. said:
Whenever I start planning on doing something, I try to think about what could go wrong, ahead of time. That has kept me from making a lot of stupid mistakes, over the years. Negativity IS part of everyday life, and taking it into consideration, beforehand, can help increase the chances of Positivity.
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Sounds like a smart analysis to me. I am thinking more of an overall negative attitude that can prevent any action
 
Speaking of toxic positivity, I once knew a religious zealot who literally believed in praising God in all things. When I conveyed that I was having trouble in a college course, he exclaimed “Praise the Lord!,” which wasn’t the response that I was expecting, and helped me not a whit…

A simple technique that I’ve used throughout life is to imagine how things could be worse, then I’m glad for the circumstances that I have. If I get my desired outcome about 80% of the time, I figure that I’m doing really well…
 
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