When you go through severe emotional suffering and still choose to smile, it's not called positivity.
we have a misconception about the positivity that we have to appear happy all the time. This is absolutely wrong. You should embrace your negative emotions, expose them, and should not pretend to be happy.
Another thing we all do by the name of positivity is 'we judge/start to compare our life'. This is way more toxic than we think.
Let me give you some examples!
When someone shares their problem, you start to share your own to make feel better. This method doesn't actually work. Also, you tell them something which doesn't matter at all. Like telling someone who is facing workplace negativity, 'don't worry you at least you have a job'.
Maybe your intention is good here but you have to understand this 'positivity' doesn't actually touch others positively.
If you have some of these criteria of toxic positivity, stop it now. Try to realize how these are not helping and you need to be more spontaneous to spread positivity. Not only that, if you find that you often force yourself to feel better, hide your pain and suffering and try to pretend yourself; then you should try to come out from this.
Positivity is a wide thing that touches everything in our life. And unknowing we should not make it toxic. And now you know how can it backfire on others and us, both. Try to understand and apply this in your daily life.
Maybe not today but you sure will find a better way to practice positivity and speed it to make others feel positive too.