Episode 10: Toxic Positivity

Welcome
Hey listeners! Welcome to episode 10 of Designed to Be Awake. I’m Mick Kubiak, and today we’re diving into a topic that’s been making the rounds lately - toxic positivity. I’m genuinely excited to share this episode with you, because there’s so much nuance missing from the bigger conversation out there.

 

Episode Summary
We’re talking about what toxic positivity really is, why it’s even considered “toxic,” and exploring the flip side, yep, toxic negativity. I open up about my own journey: how I used to cringe at the “cheer up, put a smile on it” vibe, and how I also fell into negative thought loops.

 

I get honest about boundaries, what it means to show up authentically, and how neither relentless positivity nor wallowing in negativity gets us closer to our true selves. I share some personal stories, including a powerful turning point (spoiler: it involved a divine message in a café) and how I learned that negative thinking is a luxury I can’t afford anymore. We also talk about creativity, externalizing our shadows, and the difference between writing from the wound and writing from the scar.

 

Key Takeaways
✨ Toxic positivity and toxic negativity are both about extreme engagement with emotional states, they’re not who we really are
✨ Set boundaries when you need to protect your energy, whether from someone else’s forced positivity or heavy negativity
✨ The real magic happens when you create space between yourself and your stories, emotions, and old patterns
✨ Sometimes, the art we make from our pain helps others feel less alone, but healing comes from perspective, not just the raw wound
✨ Sitting with stillness and presence is where you’ll find your true self, not in memes, not in slogans, but in the quiet in-between

 

Resources & Links
🎬 If you haven’t seen Groundhog Day, do yourself a favor and watch it!
🎵 Shoutout to anyone who remembers my record “Here Comes Spring” - thank you for listening and for sharing your stories with me
📖 Check out the Philip Larkin quote I mentioned: “The most negative poem in the world is a very positive thing to have done.”

 

For You to Reflect On

Take a moment to sit with these ideas, ask yourself, “What’s true for me?” Notice where you might be running a program, and give yourself permission to just be. If this episode resonated, share it with a friend, leave a review, or reach out to me, I love hearing from you.

 

Until next time, be gentle with yourself and stay awake. 💛