Balancing Positivity and Realism: Recognizing the Risks of Overly Positive Thinking

So what could be wrong with positive thinking?

The idea that one can improve one’s mental health, attain success, and conquer obstacles by adopting a more positive outlook has received a lot of attention in recent years. As the saying goes, “You get out what you put in.” If we put our attention and energy into good things, we’ll attract those things to us. There is some truth to this, but it’s also important to recognise the warning signs of unhealthy positivity and avoid the pitfalls it can cause.

Signs of Unhealthy Positive Thinking

1. Denial of Negative Emotions
   Unhealthy positive thinking often involves denying or suppressing negative emotions such as sadness, anger, or anxiety. This can lead to an inability to process and address these emotions, which can result in long-term emotional distress.
2. Overgeneralization
   Unhealthy positive thinking can involve overgeneralizing positive experiences or outcomes, which can lead to unrealistic expectations and disappointment when things don’t go as planned.
3. Minimization of Problems
   Unhealthy positive thinking can involve minimizing or dismissing problems, which can prevent individuals from seeking the help and support they need to address them.
4. Blaming the Individual
   Unhealthy positive thinking can involve blaming the individual for not being positive enough or not having enough faith in themselves, which can lead to feelings of shame and inadequacy.

Why Positive Thinking can be a Problem:

1. Unrealistic Expectations
   Positive thinking can create unrealistic expectations and set individuals up for disappointment when things don’t go as planned.
2. Suppression of Negative Emotions
   Positive thinking can lead to the suppression of negative emotions, which can prevent individuals from addressing and processing these emotions in a healthy way.
3. Disconnection from Reality
   Positive thinking can create a disconnect from reality, which can prevent individuals from seeing and addressing real problems.
4. Lack of Motivation
   Positive thinking can lead to complacency and a lack of motivation to address real problems and make meaningful changes.
5. Ignoring the Importance of Action
   Positive thinking can lead individuals to believe that simply thinking positively will lead to success and happiness, without taking meaningful action to achieve their goals.

The unhealthy positives include some extreme opposites of negative thinking and some of the signs of negative thinking are also seen in overly-positive people.

Healthy Positive Thinking

Positive thinking that is both realistic and healthy involves keeping a positive outlook while also dealing with negative feelings and actual difficulties. We will look at some positive thinking examples that are both healthy and effective.

1. Cultivating gratitude
   Focusing on and appreciating the positive aspects of one’s life, while also acknowledging and addressing areas of difficulty.
2. Encouraging self-compassion
   Being kind and understanding towards oneself, even when facing challenges or setbacks.
3. Reframing negative thoughts
   Finding positive perspectives and reframing negative thoughts in a more constructive way.
4. Building resilience
   Recognizing that setbacks and difficulties are a natural part of life, and using them as opportunities for growth and learning.
5. Taking positive action
   Combining positive thinking with action towards one’s goals and aspirations, and using setbacks as opportunities to reassess and adjust course.

Also see our complete guide to better understanding cognitive thinking.