How radical hope is the answer to toxic positivity

You would be forgiven for cringing at the thought of another newsletter about positivity. The unrelenting pressure to remain upbeat, no matter how difficult or stressful a situation is, has taken hold of our collective consciousness. Toxic positivity has become a frequent coping mechanism with empty platitudes and woo-woo affirmations masking genuine emotions in our relentless pursuit of happiness.

The answer to this false positivity, I believe, is radical hope. Hope is more than positivity. It requires action, it requires risk. It is rooted in a belief that another world is possible – not promised, not guaranteed. As Rebecca Solnit wrote, “Hope is not a lottery ticket you can sit on the sofa and clutch, feeling lucky. It is an axe you break down doors with in an emergency.”