The Secret Downside of Optimism

Are you optimistic? The optimistic person’s ability to see a silver lining in every situation can often be admired or sneered at. Their strength in the face of opposition could be a source of inspiration for others or a reason for resentment and disdain. Although it can provide hope in difficult times, when in excess optimism can actually make it harder for you to cope with stress.

Seeing life through rose-tinted glasses can be stressful (Photo by mtbouchard)

1. Disconnect from reality – Many people who are optimistic are often unable to have a realistic view of life. This leads them to make some unwise choices. For instance, an optimist might avoid safety measures such as driving with a seatbelt or wearing a helmet because “nothing is going to happen”. You can have a positive attitude without being irresponsible or unwise.

2. Avoidance – Some people who are optimistic tend to avoid properly dealing with certain negative situations. Instead of admitting what the issue is and dealing with it head on, they may use their optimism to pretend that everything is going to be alright. This way they could also let their friends and family think they are okay despite their problems.

3. Easily frustrated – An optimistic person may seem as though they don’t listen to any opposing viewpoint. This is often an idealist’s defence against feeling discouraged. If they have a plan, their positivity and avoidance of criticism could be a cover for their fear of the failure of said plan.

4. Unable to deal with stress – A common belief is that optimism helps people deal with stress better than pessimism. However, extreme optimism often leads to people trying to fix a situation long after it has become impossible to change. The result is that once they realise they have been fighting a losing battle, they can become quite overwhelmed. It’s better to accept the situation and think of ways to cope emotionally.

Life will not always be rosy and sunny. Approach life so that you could balance being hopeful with being realistic. Continue to develop solid solutions to overcome your issues, as long as they are fixable; know how to give up and cope with your emotions when the situation turns out to be unchangeable. Remember, nobody can succeed all of the time.