When ‘Good Vibes Only’ Goes Too Far: A Reality Check
I shared my experience of being chased in a parking lot and was told by a law of attraction coach that my “vibration was low.” Ridiculous, right? But if you look at Instagram or TikTok feeds, you’ll see precisely this toxic positivity masked as spiritual wisdom.
This is what toxic positivity looks like in the wellness space. It’s not just “think happy thoughts” anymore — it’s become more insidious. It’s being told to “stay positive” after trauma, reminded to “practice gratitude” when processing fear, and shamed for having very human responses to authentic situations.
The pressure to remain positive at all costs has created a culture where we:
• Can’t express real feelings without being told to “shift our mindset”
• Hide our struggles behind perfectly curated “living my best life” posts
• Feel guilty when we can’t immediately “choose joy” after difficult experiences
• Shame ourselves for having normal emotional responses
When did feeling our feelings become so terrifying? When did the wellness industry decide that anything less than constant positivity was a personal failure?
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Here’s what toxic positivity doesn’t want you to know: you can be positive and sometimes feel scared. You can practice gratitude and process trauma. You can believe in manifestation and acknowledge when bad things happen to good people.
Your emotions aren’t “bad vibes.” They’re information. They’re part of your human experience. Instead of thinking out of every feeling, we must create spaces welcoming all emotions.
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*About the Author*
I am a somatic and mindfulness coach who believes in honoring the body’s wisdom and creating space for authentic healing. After spending years in the wellness industry, I’ve seen how toxic positivity can harm rather than heal. That’s why I’m passionate about creating spaces where you can show up as your whole self — no spiritual bypassing required.
Through my coaching practice, I help clients:
• Connect with their body’s innate wisdom
• Process emotions through somatic awareness
• Build authentic resilience without toxic positivity
• Navigate life’s challenges mindfully and authentically
