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A review by rebelbelle13
Bright-Sided: How Positive Thinking Is Undermining America by Barbara Ehrenreich
4.0
In a sea of authors, preachers, life coaches and other speakers who are pushing the benefits of positive thinking, it's quite refreshing to find a voice who says otherwise. Ehrenrich doesn't pull any punches as she describes how positive thinking and manifestation of wanted or 'deserved' items or lifestyles has permeated the United States at almost every level of life. She cites study after study that proves that positive thinking, happy outlooks and general all-around positivity alone doesn't change your life circumstances, your actual happiness or your prospects. She also points out that people who act like they are happy all the time need to either self-hypnotize or continually brainwash themselves into constant positivity. They really believe that if they aren't positive, good things won't happen to them, which is quite ridiculous.
When Ehrenrich wrote Bright-Sided, the term 'toxic positivity' didn't exist- but had she written this book today, she most certainly would have included it. She encourages people to, instead of pretending that life is full of rainbows and unicorns, to see life as it really is- to consider downsides and potential failings with a clear, unbiased mind instead of forcing yourself to see everything as a glass half (or completely) full. Moderation in everything is key, even in the case of positivity.
When Ehrenrich wrote Bright-Sided, the term 'toxic positivity' didn't exist- but had she written this book today, she most certainly would have included it. She encourages people to, instead of pretending that life is full of rainbows and unicorns, to see life as it really is- to consider downsides and potential failings with a clear, unbiased mind instead of forcing yourself to see everything as a glass half (or completely) full. Moderation in everything is key, even in the case of positivity.