The compulsion of positivity

There is a surge in general population regarding concepts of mental health. This has probably been the wish of all mental health professional to increase the awareness and decrease the stigma around mental health.

But, with the same, the terms used in daily interactions have increased and often are being diluted. People now are assuming the role of psychologists themselves after reading articles from web or watching a few interviews. People on one hand are calling people to open up to them or call them to talk if they feel low, on the other hand they are shunning down the ones asking for help!

Be positive — this probably has become the most reiterated statement by the group of self-proclaimed psychologists. And that is leading to naming cathartic expressions as toxic, and immeasurable guilt for opening up are coming down. This is ironic, because often experiences and emotions are not voluntarily created or controlled by individuals, rather they are shaped by previous learnings and experiences.

Thus, the social media is not the place to seek help. Often the social self is very different from the true self, and that can be cruel and judgemental, because a person is often unaware of their biases and beliefs. Often people don’t even want to believe that mental health issues are even real. Even if someone expresses their lone or melancholic thoughts, ‘be positive’, ‘man up’, ‘don’t think too much’, ‘just relax’, ‘loosen up a bit’, ‘see how privileged you are than so many other people’ or ‘you’re sick in your head only’, are never the right things to say. Seek help from a professional, they only can lend you that unconditional ear.

And it is okay if you don’t feel okay. It is okay to not always be productive. It is okay to take a day or two off just because you don’t feel like being on your toes. Take breaks. Listen to your body. Accept yourself. Be kind to yourself and others. Focus on today, on the little joys around.

And just remember, this too shall pass.