An optimist in a dystopian world.

So are you an optimist or pessimist?

Some pessimists claim to be realists because of the pragmatism that they claim to bring to their approach to situations in life. However, I think one defining factor that distinguishes a realist from a pessimist is that realists tend to not let their negative biases overshadow their judgments towards the situation at hand. While pessimism generally refers to an overall negative outlook or the anticipation of the worst possible outcomes, realism, on the other hand, refers to a perspective that is neutral where both perspectives are being considered without having any optimistic or pessimistic biases.

Why the pessimism?

As we gain exposure to the world around us, we socialize with different groups of people, gain experiences, and gain social awareness. We all have had our fair share of negative experiences whether it pertains to experiences of loss, betrayal, or trauma, exposure to challenges and failures or even just learning about the atrocities and the injustices that have happened throughout the history of mankind. I do feel that is only natural that some people are predisposed to develop this pessimism at some point in their lives as a form of psychological self-protection or a coping mechanism. They might think that by anticipating the negative outcomes and adopting a pessimistic outlook, they can avoid the experience of reliving disappointment or failure.

But how far can a realistic approach bring you?

While neutrality brings you to this grey area of ambiguity it all boils down to one decision, a stance, which is very much so black or white. Taking on a neutral stance on things brings you to this state of reluctance and avoidance of activity which is almost comparable to a pessimist’s hesitance in pursuing opportunities. While it’s effective to weigh out calculated risks, there is also the aspect of the unknown and the uncertainty that we should also consider. An optimist in contrast to the pessimist, would seize the opportunity with the confidence to expect positive outcomes despite the potential risks or challenges that could potentially arise.

So what is the rationale for being an optimist in this seemingly dystopian world?

I used to think that optimistic people are happy individuals who choose to be ignorant or avoidant of their troubles and worries but I was most definitely wrong. Optimists are usually people who can hold themselves well in times of adversity and it shows in their ability to seem unscathed despite being put through many difficult circumstances. So, do not confuse their calm composure with the lack of activity. They are not easily defeated by failures and setbacks but rather, they see them as opportunities. Their ability to see the good in things shows how broad their perspectives are. Shortcomings and disadvantages do not go uncalculated in their judgments, they are very much aware but they choose to have a positive mindset when it comes to navigating through hardships. The resiliency and adaptability that they portray are a testament to their strong mentality. Just like what Marcus Aurelius once stated in ‘ Meditations’ “The impediment to action advances action. What stands in the way becomes the way”.

Whether you choose to be an optimist or a pessimist doesn’t necessarily influence the circumstances of your life or reality. External events are objective matters that take place in our consciousness. What we experience and how we perceive it is very much subjective to the individual. We don’t have control over things of the past or the future but what we do have control over is our mind and how we perceive things.

I do believe in being able to understand and strike a balance between those two different perspectives. In essence, I resonate with maintaining a positive outlook in life as it allows me to live a life that is full of contentment and it encourages me to not shy away from embracing the discomfort that life brings. On the other hand, an aspect of realism that I can appreciate is the pragmatism and skepticism in their approach to situations. In some situations, there are definitive risks that we have to consider and it is useful to be able to foresee that. This allows us to make calculated decisions that are realistic and strategic.

So, I guess overall, I would say that I am a calculated optimist but who knows things might change. Our perspectives are constantly evolving, it’s impossible to define them sometimes.