I read the articles and comments on toxic positivity with interest. My hubby (late 40s) recently diagnosed with incurable cancer and whilst all family and friends have been great and really supportive he said to me that he was sick of folk being nice and wanted to be treated normally. I understood this completely as I was getting the same. So I shared this with my bestie who later met us just before one of his radiotherapy sessions at the hospital. She greeted me with ‘hiya’ and him with an expletive (can’t print it here as it would get deleted) to which he cracked up laughing! That was just what he needed right then.
Hi Ama H
I smiled at your story, as I would have appreciated what your friend said! I got a Christmas card from my stepson a few years ago which summed it up for me on the front where it said “well, that’s another year down the pan” (except a ruder word was used!)
He panicked after he sent it to me thinking it might upset me but I just roared with laughter and thought it was brilliant! I’m not any fan of toxic positivity, but my stepson has always treated me in exactly the same way as he’s always done, which I so appreciate. It’s very refreshing.
Sarah xx
