When Positivity Turns Toxic—The Problem with Self-Optimization

Self-optimization has quickly become a new fad diet we're rapidly consuming--one that is more harmful than helpful to our mental health. On this episode, writer, educator, influencer, and Toronto-based therapist Jake Ernst discusses the problem with the constant pursuit for perfectionism, the business of positivity and its impact on our self-worth, and the critical role social media plays in prioritizing self-optimization over self-love, self-compassion, and collective care.

"...self-optimization usually looks like self-care. It looks a lot like, "Oh, I'm taking care of myself." When really we're kind of engaging in a lot of really probably unhealthy patterns or a lot of unhealthy behaviors. All with maybe the goal of, "I want to perform better. I want to do better. Or I want to know more." But oftentimes self-optimization in the long run has this negative or harmful impacts. And so I'm more pro-improvement and more pro self-care than I am like self-optimization." --Jake Ernst

Ways to connect with Jake: 
https://www.mswjake.com/ 
https://www.instagram.com/mswjake/?hl=en

Audio Engineered by: Blaise Douros