Graham Landi & Martin Pankhurst
Graham Landi & Martin Pankhurst
Toxic Positivity
Toxic Positivity
Toxic Positivity
Thursday 4th July 2024
Graham Landi and Martin Pankhurst discuss toxic positivity and its impact on addiction recovery, offering empathetic advice on validating emotions.
44 minutes
Informative
Compassionate
Supportive
Honest
Engaging
About this podcast
Author:
Graham Landi & Martin Pankhurst
Overview:
Categories:
Sobriety Toolkit
Understanding Addiction & Recovery
Creative Recovery Journeys
Mindfulness & Emotional Wellbeing
Navigating Intimate Relationships
Links:
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Episodes:
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Get the buttons here!Breaking Down Toxic Positivity in Recovery
Episode Overview
- Toxic positivity involves avoiding or suppressing negative emotions.
- Such behaviour can invalidate genuine feelings, leading to guilt and shame.
- Empathetic responses are crucial for supporting those in recovery.
- Acknowledging and validating emotions is key to emotional healing.
- Offering support often stems from one's own discomfort rather than genuine care.
Invalidating natural emotions is what makes positivity toxic.
In this episode of 'Sideways', Graham Landi and Martin Pankhurst tackle the concept of toxic positivity and how it can affect those in recovery from addiction. The hosts kick off with a light-hearted chat about their upcoming summer break, filled with amusing anecdotes and banter that set a relaxed tone.
However, they soon shift gears to discuss the serious issue of toxic positivity - the act of avoiding or suppressing negative emotions, which can be particularly harmful for those dealing with addiction and recovery. Graham and Martin explore how well-meaning phrases like 'It could be worse' or 'Look on the bright side' can invalidate genuine feelings, leading to guilt and shame.
They share personal stories and examples from therapy sessions to illustrate how such comments often stem from the discomfort of the person offering them rather than a genuine attempt to help. The episode also highlights the importance of acknowledging and validating emotions instead of brushing them aside. The hosts emphasise that recognising and sitting with uncomfortable feelings is crucial for true emotional healing.
They offer practical advice on how to respond more empathetically to others' struggles, suggesting phrases like 'I'm sorry you're going through this' or 'That sounds really tough' to create a supportive environment. With a blend of humour, personal reflections, and professional insights, Graham and Martin provide a thought-provoking look at how toxic positivity can hinder recovery. They encourage listeners to embrace all emotions, both positive and negative, as part of the healing journey.
Don't miss this episode if you're looking for a compassionate and honest discussion on navigating emotional challenges in recovery.