Today on the podcast we are talking about toxic positivity and the problem with always being positive and putting a fluffy, warm, positive spin on things. Often our unrealistic optimism comes from a good place and our desire to be happy all the time but any person knows that isn't always possible. We break down: 
The reason we gravitate towards toxic positivity
What toxic positivity looks like
The impact of wellness and self help content
The consequences for our mental health 
The consequences for our emotional intelligence 
Why people who accept negative emotions are ACTUALLY happier
How to practice emotional acceptance and healthy positivity 

All of that and so much more, listen now! 

Follow Jemma on Instagram: @jemmasbeg

Follow the podcast on Instagram: @thatpsychologypodcast 

Today on the podcast we are talking about toxic positivity and the problem with always being positive and putting a fluffy, warm, positive spin on things. Often our unrealistic optimism comes from a good place and our desire to be happy all the time but any person knows that isn't always possible. We break down: 
<ul>
<li>The reason we gravitate towards toxic positivity</li>
<li>What toxic positivity looks like</li>
<li>The impact of wellness and self help content</li>
<li>The consequences for our mental health </li>
<li>The consequences for our emotional intelligence </li>
<li>Why people who accept negative emotions are ACTUALLY happier</li>
<li>How to practice emotional acceptance and healthy positivity </li>
</ul>
All of that and so much more, listen now! 
Follow Jemma on Instagram: @jemmasbeg
Follow the podcast on Instagram: @thatpsychologypodcast

A podcast that explains how everything is psychology. Even your 20s. Hosted by Jemma Sbeg, each Tuesday and Friday we deep dive into the science and psychology behind a topic, concept or universal experience that defines our 20s - from dating, to mental health, career anxiety, friendship, finances and all the growing pains associated with this decade. Listen now. 

Watch on Netflix: HERE

Follow Jemma on Instagram: @jemmasbeg

Follow the podcast on Instagram: @thatpsychologypodcast

Subscribe on Substack: @thepsychologyofyour20s

For business: psychologyofyour20s@gmail.com 

A podcast that explains how everything is psychology. Even your 20s. Hosted by Jemma Sbeg, each Tuesday and Friday we deep dive into the science and psychology behind a topic, concept or universal experience that defines our 20s - from dating, to mental health, career anxiety, friendship, finances and all the growing pains associated with this decade. Listen now.&nbsp;
Watch on Netflix: <a href="https://netflix.com/thepsychologyofyour20s">HERE</a>
Follow Jemma on Instagram: @<a href="https://www.instagram.com/jemmasbeg/?hl=en#">jemmasbeg</a>
Follow the podcast on Instagram: @<a href="https://www.instagram.com/thatpsychologypodcast/?hl=en#">thatpsychologypodcast</a>
Subscribe on Substack: @<a href="https://substack.com/@thepsychologyofyour20s">thepsychologyofyour20s</a>
For business: <a href="mailto:psychologyofyour20s@gmail.com">psychologyofyour20s@gmail.com</a>&nbsp;

The Psychology of your 20s

A podcast that explains how everything is psychology. Even your 20s. Each Tuesday and Friday we deep dive into the science and psychology behind a topic, concept or universal experience that defines our 20s - from dating, to mental health, career anxiety, friendship, finances and all the growing pains associated with this decade. Listen now. 

Watch on Netflix: HERE

Follow Jemma on Instagram: @jemmasbeg

Follow the podcast on Instagram: @thatpsychologypodcast

Subscribe on Substack: @thepsychologyofyour20s

For business: psychologyofyour20s@gmail.com 

A podcast that explains how everything is psychology. Even your 20s. Each Tuesday and Friday we deep dive into the science and psychology behind a topic, concept or universal experience that defines our 20s - from dating, to mental health, career anxiety, friendship, finances and all the growing pains associated with this decade. Listen now.&nbsp;
Watch on Netflix: <a href="https://netflix.com/thepsychologyofyour20s">HERE</a>
Follow Jemma on Instagram: @<a href="https://www.instagram.com/jemmasbeg/?hl=en#">jemmasbeg</a>
Follow the podcast on Instagram: @<a href="https://www.instagram.com/thatpsychologypodcast/?hl=en#">thatpsychologypodcast</a>
Subscribe on Substack: @<a href="https://substack.com/@thepsychologyofyour20s">thepsychologyofyour20s</a>
For business: <a href="mailto:psychologyofyour20s@gmail.com">psychologyofyour20s@gmail.com</a>&nbsp;

211. The problem with 'toxic' positivity

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/a66ce59f-f08d-4003-8af0-b1a5009f1a31/transcript

The Oedipus complex is one of Freud’s most renowned and shocking ideas. In this episode, we dive into the origins of the theory and whether anything really remains once its gendered assumptions and controversial sexual claims are stripped away.

We explore:
- How the Greek tragedy of Oedipus inspired Freud’s theory
- What Freud meant by unconscious childhood desire and parental rivalry
- The importance of the phallic stage
- How Freud believed it was resolved - and what fixation was thought to mean for adulthood
- His problematic gendered ideas
- The scientific and ethical problems surrounding the theory
- How modern psychoanalysis has reinterpreted Oedipal ideas

Watch on Netflix: HERE

Follow Jemma on Instagram: @jemmasbeg

Follow the podcast on Instagram: @thatpsychologypodcast

Subscribe on Substack: @thepsychologyofyour20s

For business: psychologyofyour20s@gmail.com 

Our favourite sources:

https://lacanianworksexchange.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/19260101-The-Flight-from-Womanhood-The-Masculinity-Complex-in-Women-as-Viewed-by-Men-and-by-Women-Karen-Horney-IJP-7-p324-339.pdf  

https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1002/j.2167-4086.2004.tb00151.x  

https://psycnet.apa.org/doiLanding?doi=10.1037%2F0033-3204.32.4.535  

https://www.routledge.com/The-Oedipus-Complex-A-Contemporary-Introduction/Rohleder/p/book/9781032495651  

The Psychology of your 20s is not a substitute for professional mental health help. If you are struggling, distressed or require personalised advice, please reach out to your doctor or a licensed psychologist. 

The Oedipus complex is one of Freud&rsquo;s most renowned and shocking ideas. In this episode, we dive into the origins of the theory and whether anything really remains once its gendered assumptions and controversial sexual claims are stripped away.
We explore: - How the Greek tragedy of Oedipus inspired Freud&rsquo;s theory - What Freud meant by unconscious childhood desire and parental rivalry - The importance of the phallic stage - How Freud believed it was resolved - and what fixation was thought to mean for adulthood - His problematic gendered ideas - The scientific and ethical problems surrounding the theory - How modern psychoanalysis has reinterpreted Oedipal ideas
Watch on Netflix: <a href="https://netflix.com/thepsychologyofyour20s">HERE</a>
Follow Jemma on Instagram: @<a href="https://www.instagram.com/jemmasbeg/?hl=en#">jemmasbeg</a>
Follow the podcast on Instagram: @<a href="https://www.instagram.com/thatpsychologypodcast/?hl=en#">thatpsychologypodcast</a>
Subscribe on Substack: @<a href="https://substack.com/@thepsychologyofyour20s">thepsychologyofyour20s</a>
For business: <a href="mailto:psychologyofyour20s@gmail.com">psychologyofyour20s@gmail.com</a>&nbsp;
Our favourite sources:
<a href="https://lacanianworksexchange.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/19260101-The-Flight-from-Womanhood-The-Masculinity-Complex-in-Women-as-Viewed-by-Men-and-by-Women-Karen-Horney-IJP-7-p324-339.pdf">https://lacanianworksexchange.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/19260101-The-Flight-from-Womanhood-The-Masculinity-Complex-in-Women-as-Viewed-by-Men-and-by-Women-Karen-Horney-IJP-7-p324-339.pdf</a> &nbsp;
<a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1002/j.2167-4086.2004.tb00151.x">https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1002/j.2167-4086.2004.tb00151.x</a> &nbsp;
<a href="https://psycnet.apa.org/doiLanding?doi=10.1037%2F0033-3204.32.4.535">https://psycnet.apa.org/doiLanding?doi=10.1037%2F0033-3204.32.4.535</a> &nbsp;
<a href="https://www.routledge.com/The-Oedipus-Complex-A-Contemporary-Introduction/Rohleder/p/book/9781032495651">https://www.routledge.com/The-Oedipus-Complex-A-Contemporary-Introduction/Rohleder/p/book/9781032495651</a> &nbsp;
The Psychology of your 20s is not a substitute for professional mental health help. If you are struggling, distressed or require personalised advice, please reach out to your doctor or a licensed psychologist.&nbsp;

454. The oedipus complex 

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/68f656a5-a4b1-4e3c-9976-b4bd00d9881b/transcript

There are a surprising number of myths and misconceptions about the brain, particularly with regards to its development in our 20s. In this episode, we unpack a number of surprising facts and studies about the brain so that we can in turn better understand how to make the most of our 20s. 

Watch on Netflix: HERE

We unpack: 
• The science of neuroplasticity and how our brain can rewire itself 
• Why, on a cognitive level, a broken heart may not be so different from a broken arm
• How much of our brains we really use (hint - it’s more than 10%!)
• The gut-brain axis and why poor gut health can cause depression - not the other way around
• Why our brain needs to forget to function properly
• The real age our brain stops developing

Follow Jemma on Instagram: @jemmasbeg

Follow the podcast on Instagram: @thatpsychologypodcast

Subscribe on Substack: @thepsychologyofyour20s

For business: psychologyofyour20s@gmail.com 

The Psychology of your 20s is not a substitute for professional mental health help. If you are struggling, distressed or require personalised advice, please reach out to your doctor or a licensed psychologist. 

There are a surprising number of myths and misconceptions about the brain, particularly with regards to its development in our 20s. In this episode, we unpack a number of surprising facts and studies about the brain so that we can in turn better understand how to make the most of our 20s.&nbsp;
Watch on Netflix: <a href="https://netflix.com/thepsychologyofyour20s">HERE</a>
We unpack:&nbsp; &bull; The science of neuroplasticity and how our brain can rewire itself&nbsp; &bull; Why, on a cognitive level, a broken heart may not be so different from a broken arm &bull; How much of our brains we really use (hint - it&rsquo;s more than 10%!) &bull; The gut-brain axis and why poor gut health can cause depression - not the other way around &bull; Why our brain needs to forget to function properly &bull; The real age our brain stops developing
Follow Jemma on Instagram: @<a href="https://www.instagram.com/jemmasbeg/?hl=en#">jemmasbeg</a>
Follow the podcast on Instagram: @<a href="https://www.instagram.com/thatpsychologypodcast/?hl=en#">thatpsychologypodcast</a>
Subscribe on Substack: @<a href="https://substack.com/@thepsychologyofyour20s">thepsychologyofyour20s</a>
For business: <a href="mailto:psychologyofyour20s@gmail.com">psychologyofyour20s@gmail.com</a>&nbsp;
The Psychology of your 20s is not a substitute for professional mental health help. If you are struggling, distressed or require personalised advice, please reach out to your doctor or a licensed psychologist.&nbsp;

453. 7 facts you need to know about your brain

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/5128f93a-9ec8-4001-bf25-b4b901173254/transcript

The fear of missing out or not seizing every moment are some of the biggest worries we experience in our 20s. However, spending time alone isn’t the same as being lonely or doing nothing - in fact, it’s quite the opposite. In this episode, we explore why we resist being alone - but why learning to do so is psychologically positive, and can even be a superpower.

Watch on Netflix: HERE

• Why we culturally and socially villainise solitude
• How constantly being online interrupts our ability to be truly alone 
• The creative and emotional benefits of spending time alone
• Why our capacity to be alone is a reflection of our overall maturity 
• How we can embrace the power of solitude

Follow Jemma on Instagram: @jemmasbeg

Follow the podcast on Instagram: @thatpsychologypodcast

Subscribe on Substack: @thepsychologyofyour20s

For business: psychologyofyour20s@gmail.com 

Our favourite sources: 

https://spsp.org/news-center/character-context-blog/social-costs-seeking-solitude  
https://www.ted.com/talks/susan_cain_the_power_of_introverts?language=en  
https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2025/feb/02/quiet-please-the-remarkable-power-of-silence-for-our-bodies-and-our-minds 

The Psychology of your 20s is not a substitute for professional mental health help. If you are struggling, distressed or require personalised advice, please reach out to your doctor or a licensed psychologist. 

The fear of missing out or not seizing every moment are some of the biggest worries we experience in our 20s. However, spending time alone isn&rsquo;t the same as being lonely or doing nothing - in fact, it&rsquo;s quite the opposite. In this episode, we explore why we resist being alone - but why learning to do so is psychologically positive, and can even be a superpower.
Watch on Netflix: <a href="https://netflix.com/thepsychologyofyour20s">HERE</a>
&bull; Why we culturally and socially villainise solitude &bull; How constantly being online interrupts our ability to be truly alone&nbsp; &bull; The creative and emotional benefits of spending time alone &bull; Why our capacity to be alone is a reflection of our overall maturity&nbsp; &bull; How we can embrace the power of solitude
Follow Jemma on Instagram: @<a href="https://www.instagram.com/jemmasbeg/?hl=en#">jemmasbeg</a>
Follow the podcast on Instagram: @<a href="https://www.instagram.com/thatpsychologypodcast/?hl=en#">thatpsychologypodcast</a>
Subscribe on Substack: @<a href="https://substack.com/@thepsychologyofyour20s">thepsychologyofyour20s</a>
For business: <a href="mailto:psychologyofyour20s@gmail.com">psychologyofyour20s@gmail.com</a>&nbsp;
Our favourite sources:&nbsp;
<a href="https://spsp.org/news-center/character-context-blog/social-costs-seeking-solitude">https://spsp.org/news-center/character-context-blog/social-costs-seeking-solitude</a>&nbsp;&nbsp; <a href="https://www.ted.com/talks/susan_cain_the_power_of_introverts?language=en">https://www.ted.com/talks/susan_cain_the_power_of_introverts?language=en</a>&nbsp;&nbsp; <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2025/feb/02/quiet-please-the-remarkable-power-of-silence-for-our-bodies-and-our-minds">https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2025/feb/02/quiet-please-the-remarkable-power-of-silence-for-our-bodies-and-our-minds</a>&nbsp;
The Psychology of your 20s is not a substitute for professional mental health help. If you are struggling, distressed or require personalised advice, please reach out to your doctor or a licensed psychologist.&nbsp;

452. How to get better at being alone

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/80c5ea2b-ad30-4b26-801b-b4b100a59cb0/transcript

211. The problem with 'toxic' positivity

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