Grace Mavindidze

In the school environment, the pressure to stay positive and perfect is really overwhelming for teenagers. When they only hear phrases like, “Just stay positive!” or “It could be worse,” their real emotions feel dismissed. While these comments may come from a place of caring, they shut down the real struggles teens are facing. This pressure can make them feel like their feelings don’t matter, leaving them to deal with their stress alone. Toxic positivity is the belief that only positive emotions are acceptable, and anything else should be pushed aside. At first, it might seem harmless. Who doesn’t want to stay positive? In an ideal world, we’d all be happy all the time, but life doesn’t work that way, especially for teens. This pressure to always be happy is everywhere, at school, with friends, and even on social media. It’s especially harmful when the advice comes from people they trust, like teachers, parents, or peers. How does toxic positivity display itself in teens? School Stress When your teen is overwhelmed by upcoming exams or assignments, instead of hearing, “I can tell you’re stressed. Do you need help?” they get a generic, “Just stay positive, you’ll do great!” This doesn’t help them manage their stress; it dismisses it. Mental Health Struggles A teen dealing with anxiety or depression might hear, “Just think happy thoughts” or “Everything happens for a reason.” These comments can make them feel like they’re not allowed to struggle, leading them to bottle up their emotions instead of seeking help. Friendship Drama When a teen faces a falling-out with a friend, others may say, “It’s just a phase,” or “You’ll make new friends.” For the teen, however, it’s a real and painful experience. Simply telling them to stay positive doesn’t make the hurt go away. Family [...]