The trouble with 'good vibes only' spirituality

Wellness culture on social media idealizes positivity at the cost of depth. Experts warn that this shift can encourage emotional avoidance

- Divya Naik

On a humid afternoon in Bengaluru, Rhea sat cross-legged before her ring light, incense burning behind her. “Protect your peace,” she told her 20,000 followers. “If someone triggers you, cut them off. It’s the universe's way of realigning your energy.” The comments—heart emojis, sparkles and hashtags about healing—flooded in. But behind her calm voice was someone trying desperately to stay afloat. Her relationship had ended two weeks ago. She hadn’t eaten properly in days. Still, she was determined to stay “high-vibe”.

Across social media, this aesthetic of serenity is everywhere: yoga poses bathed in golden light, affirmations scripted over pastel skies, influencers preaching self-love and boundaries. What was once the language of spiritual growth has turned into the grammar of emotional avoidance. Psychologists call it “spiritual bypassing” which is the tendency to use spiritual ideas and wellness rituals to sidestep painful emotions such as grief, anger, or guilt.