Toxic Positivity versus Mental Contrasting

In this episode of the Advancing Women Podcast, we explore toxic positivity; a phenomenon where positivity is used to minimize one’s experience, and how this has been painfully exacerbated because of social media which thrives on toxically optimistic outlooks.

Toxic positivity has perpetuated a brushing over of the real inequities and challenges many women face. With empowerment language forced upon us, there can be a false reality that leaves too many talented, empowered women, confused when our “positive vibes” aren’t enough to transcend very real gender bias and inequity in the workplace. Just as it is not healthy to think overly negative thoughts, exaggeratedly positive thoughts can be equally detrimental!

Enter Mental Contrasting…A far more efficacious approach. Mental contrasting is a technique that can help us achieve our goals by encouraging us to identify barriers and take the necessary steps to address obstacles rather than optimistically assuming that what we want and even deserve will materialize with positive thinking and hard work alone.

Learn more in this episode as we challenge meritocracy myths and topic positivity in favor of strategic approaches that serve women and allow us to transcend and thrive.

Resources

4Ps Advancement Model™ https://advancingwomenpodcast.com/4ps-advancement-model-problem-patterns-process-proficiency/

How Toxic Positivity Took Over the Internet https://www.dazeddigital.com/life-culture/article/53737/1/how-toxic-positivity-took-over-the-internet

The Meritocracy Myth (iTunes) https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-meritocracy-myth/id1569849100?i=1000542761335

The Meritocracy Myth (Spotify) https://open.spotify.com/episode/18xmxu9MsIFtoJbiwyJz9F?si=6e7e6e79c44543bd

Antifragility, Resilience, & Grit (iTunes) https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/antifragility-resilience-grit/id1569849100?i=1000538998137

Antifragility, Resilience, & Grit (Spotify) https://open.spotify.com/episode/40YqOqMdFviN7C5l4Ab4y3?si=9e01f62401144ae9

For more about Dr. DeSimone and the Advancing Women Podcast

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