Is there such a thing as being too positive? Have you ever found yourself pretending to be okay (or even pretending to be great) when you’re not, because you felt pressure to “stay positive”? If your answer is yes, you’re not alone — but it doesn’t have to be that way. While the two ideas may seem interchangeable, there’s a difference between optimism and positivity — and it is possible for fake positivity to turn toxic and affect you negatively.
To help us unpack the difference between optimism and toxic-positivity, we asked for insight from Ariana Fotinakis. By understanding the connections between optimism, positivity and how we feel, Ariana — an intuitive life coach and breathworker — guides us towards a better understanding of how to sit more comfortably with our feelings — so that hope can grow.
![Optimism vs. positivity four white-sneakered feet standing outside over a smiley face on sidewalk](https://www.slice.ca/wp-content/themes/slice/assets/default_images_placeholder.png)
Optimism vs. positivity
![More room for growth woman sitting on brick wall outside and looking to the side](https://www.slice.ca/wp-content/themes/slice/assets/default_images_placeholder.png)
More room for growth
![It’s not all black and white person sitting on chair and looking through white curtains](https://www.slice.ca/wp-content/themes/slice/assets/default_images_placeholder.png)
It’s not all black and white
![It’s OK to not feel OK woman standing in white room and holding coffee cup](https://www.slice.ca/wp-content/themes/slice/assets/default_images_placeholder.png)
It’s OK to not feel OK
![Find comfort in discomfort woman with eyes closed standing outside](https://www.slice.ca/wp-content/themes/slice/assets/default_images_placeholder.png)
Find comfort in discomfort
![A change in perspective person sitting in forest with head in hands](https://www.slice.ca/wp-content/themes/slice/assets/default_images_placeholder.png)
A change in perspective
![Embracing the in-between spaces window with sign that says Positivity](https://www.slice.ca/wp-content/themes/slice/assets/default_images_placeholder.png)
Embracing the in-between spaces
![No fake feelings woman and dog laying on cozy bed](https://www.slice.ca/wp-content/themes/slice/assets/default_images_placeholder.png)
No fake feelings
![Strategies for embracing the non-positive woman holding pen and looking to the side](https://www.slice.ca/wp-content/themes/slice/assets/default_images_placeholder.png)
Strategies for embracing the non-positive
![How to support healthy thinking — through the good and bad woman writing and listening to music on headphones](https://www.slice.ca/wp-content/themes/slice/assets/default_images_placeholder.png)