Let's dive into a topic that might seem sunny on the surface but can cast some serious shadows: toxic positivity.
[Show b-roll of people smiling excessively or using overly enthusiastic gestures]
Toxic positivity is the belief that no matter how difficult a situation is, people should maintain a positive mindset. It's the idea that we should always look on the bright side and avoid expressing negative emotions.
[Show b-roll of someone dismissing another person's concerns]
While having a positive outlook can be beneficial, toxic positivity takes it to an extreme. It can invalidate people's genuine feelings and make them feel like their struggles are unimportant. It can also pressure people to suppress their emotions, which can lead to increased stress and anxiety.
[Show b-roll of someone looking stressed or overwhelmed]
So, how does toxic positivity differ from being generally positive? Here are some signs to look out for:
Minimizing others' experiences. Toxic positivity often involves dismissing someone's feelings with phrases like "It could be worse" or "Just be grateful for what you have," whereas being generally positive acknowledges the validity of someone's struggles while still offering encouragement. [Show b-roll of someone speaking dismissively to another person]
Shaming negative emotions. Toxic positivity can make people feel guilty for experiencing sadness, anger, or frustration, suggesting that these emotions are wrong or unacceptable. In contrast, being generally positive recognizes that negative emotions are a normal part of the human experience and should be acknowledged and processed in a healthy way. [Show b-roll of someone looking ashamed or hiding their emotions]
Offering fuzzy or impractical advice. Toxic positivity often comes with platitudes like "Just stay positive" or "Everything happens for a reason," which can feel dismissive and unhelpful to someone going through a tough time. Being generally positive, on the other hand, involves offering genuine support and empathy, acknowledging the person's problem and even collaborating on solutions if they're open to it. [Show b-roll of someone cheerily speaking to someone who is clearly stressed]
But why do so many people fall victim to toxic positivity?
First, it's often well-intentioned, coming from a desire to help others feel better. Second, our society often places a high value on happiness and positivity, which can pressure people to maintain a cheerful facade even when they're struggling.
And finally, if we may subconsciously want to minimize someone else's struggles if we feel like we can't or don't want to help them. The psychologist Dr. Susan David describes this mindset simply: "my comfort is more important than your reality."
[Overlay a quote and headshot of Dr. Susan David as you read her quote]
So now that we know what toxic positivity really is, how can we avoid slipping into it ourselves? Here are some suggestions:
Validate others' feelings. When someone shares their struggles with you, acknowledge their emotions and show empathy. Let them know that it's okay to feel the way they do. [Show b-roll of someone listening attentively and nodding with understanding]
Embrace a range of emotions. Recognize that it's normal and healthy to experience a variety of emotions, including negative ones. Allow yourself and others to feel and express these emotions without judgment. [Show b-roll of someone listening supportively as someone else expresses strong emotions]
Offer genuine support. Instead of offering empty platitudes, suggest ways that you might be able to support the person – often, that's just offering to be there to listen. [Show b-roll of someone offering a comforting presence or a listening ear]
Remember, it's okay to not be okay sometimes. By avoiding toxic positivity and embracing a range of emotions, we can create a more supportive and understanding environment for ourselves and others.
[Show b-roll of people having an open and honest conversation]
Thanks for watching, and remember, your feelings are valid.
[End with a warm and understanding smile]
Browse our curated writing templates
This template appears in one of our collections, a curated group of writing templates that often appear together in to-do lists.
Creating engaging YouTube videos starts with a well-crafted script. Whether you're producing educational content, product demos, or entertaining vlogs, taking the time to write out what you want to say can make a big difference in the final quality of your video.
Writing a script for your YouTube video serves several key purposes:
Clarify your message. The process of writing a script forces you to distill your ideas down to their essence. It helps you get crystal clear on the key points you want to communicate to your audience.
Stay on track. When you're recording a video, it's easy to go off on tangents or forget important details. A script acts as a roadmap, ensuring you cover all the necessary information in a logical order.
Improve your delivery. Reading from a script allows you to focus on your pacing, intonation, and on-camera presence. You can practice your lines ahead of time to boost your confidence and avoid awkward pauses or filler words.
Save time in the edit. A tightly written script translates to a more focused recording session. You'll spend less time in the editing room cutting out irrelevant content or piecing together disjointed takes.
Collaborate with others. If you're working with a team, a script is an essential tool for collaboration. It allows everyone to provide input and feedback before you start production, saving time and hassle down the line.
Investing time upfront to write a solid video script pays off in the long run. You'll communicate your message more effectively, engage your audience, and produce higher quality content for your YouTube channel.
Writing a video script is easy with Type, the AI-powered document editor that helps you write smarter.
How to write a YouTube video script
Start your video script by introducing yourself and your topic. Give viewers a reason to keep watching by previewing what they'll learn or teasing the story you're about to tell.
Next, dive into the main content of your video. Break it down into clear sections with specific talking points under each one. Include any important facts, figures, or examples you want to mention. If you're demonstrating something on screen, add notes about the visuals or actions that will accompany your words.
To keep viewers engaged, aim for a conversational tone in your writing. Read your script out loud and cut anything that sounds stiff or unnatural. Use short sentences and simple language. Remember, you're speaking to your audience, not reading an academic paper.
Finally, end your video with a strong call-to-action. What do you want viewers to do after watching? Subscribe to your channel? Leave a comment? Visit your website? Make the next step crystal clear.
You could also use Type and our library filled with dozens of expert-curated templates to choose from, like this sample video script.
How to use this template
Here's how to go from our general template to a polished video script in just a few clicks.
Open up Type, click "New Document," and select the "YouTube script" template from the gallery.
Under "knowledge sources," you can include a link to your website, product page, or any other relevant background information. This will give the writing AI more context to work with.
Hit "Generate," and watch as Type's writing AI creates a custom video script for you in seconds.
Refine the script with our Rewrite brushes. You can adjust the tone, shorten the text, enhance readability, and more.
Add your own personal touches and specific examples. If you need some ideas, brainstorm with Type Chat, a chatbot that lives right next to your document.
When you're done, ask Type to review your work for any grammar or spelling mistakes. A polished, error-free script will help you come across as professional and credible on camera.
Export your completed script from Type in either a PDF or DOC file. It's ready to print out and use for your next YouTube video!
Best practices and tips for success
Before you start writing, get clear on the goal of your video. What do you want viewers to take away? What action do you want them to take? Keep this objective in mind throughout the scripting process.
Write like you talk: Your script should sound natural when read out loud. Avoid complex sentence structures and ten-dollar words. Imagine you're explaining the topic to a friend.
Keep it concise: People's attention spans are short, especially online. Aim to communicate your key messages as efficiently as possible. Cut any fluff or redundant information.
Use visuals strategically: Think about how the on-screen visuals will interact with your words. Can you show an example of what you're describing? Demonstrate a step in the process? Add some relevant b-roll footage?
Include pattern interrupts: To keep viewers engaged, break up the main content of your video with moments of humor, fascinating facts, or thought-provoking questions. These pattern interrupts re-capture people's attention.
Do several drafts: Don't expect your first attempt to be perfect. Write a rough draft, then go back and refine. Read it out loud, get feedback from others, and keep iterating until it's the best it can be.
How to access this template
Getting started with this video script template is easy. Just log into your Type account and open a new document.
Once you're in the document editor, select the "Generate" button to open the "Generate Draft" menu. Tap "Use template →" to open the template menu, where you can choose "YouTube script" from the options.
Your turn
A well-crafted script is the foundation of an engaging, effective YouTube video. Let Type and our proven template help you write scripts that educate, entertain, and inspire your audience.
Try Type out and see how easy it is to create compelling video content for your YouTube channel.
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