Yes, there is a downside to the half-full mentality.

Raise your hand if you have ever heard “Well at least . . .;” “It could be worse;” “Look on the bright side;” or other expressions that are offered in response to real negative emotions. You’ve likely been on the giving or receiving end of phrases such as these, which means you’ve experienced what is called toxic positivity.

While it is well-intentioned, toxic positivity suppresses emotions. That can lead to stronger negative emotions, such as anxiety and depression, which can also manifest as physical illness. Experiences of toxic positivity are not limited to well-meaning friends and family. It’s also increasingly taking hold in the workplace as leaders lean into optimism in the face of massive COVID-19 economic and social impacts.

Forgot that last part about the hoax. But, the author is correct. All the bright side obsession is usually a mask for something. Despair is the opposite of hope. However, there is a distinct difference between pessimism and honest realism. We’ve known all of this for thousands of years. The solution, the correct way to judge life is via Christian stoicism. It takes practice but it works.