Is Optimism Really the Only Key to Happiness?

Almost every time that I find myself stressed or upset, I was always told to think positive, be optimistic. Optimism is often associated with long-term happiness and the magical ‘key’ to happiness. The question I want to explore in this article is, is optimism really the key to happiness?

Optimism

Optimism is defined as confidence and hopefulness about future events or successful outcome of an event. Optimism is associated with positivity because it is based on being hopeful about the future. So how does optimism play into being happy?

Studies have shown that individuals who are optimism correlates with higher life satisfaction and high self-esteem. Both these aspects together imply that optimism is likely to correlate with a better lifestyle and happier life. A better lifestyle also indicates a better health and practicing more healthy habits.

Over optimism on the other hand can prove to have a negative impact on life. Over optimism has shown to affect decision making skills and could affect risk evaluation because one fails to look at the negatives in the process of being hopeful.

Pessimism

Pessimism is the opposite of optimism. It is defined as being cynical about the future and expecting the worst about things or events. It is for this obvious reason that pessimism is associated with negativity and cynicism.

With previous research pessimism has shown to be correlated with lower esteem and satisfaction. Pessimists are believed to focus on the negatives even if there is a positive outcome. They are believed to be question the positive events and expect the worst. Surprisingly, even though optimism points towards better health and lifestyle, research shows, pessimists live longer.

A common justification that is found from individuals who tend to be pessimists is that they tend to prepare for the worst. We often come across the statement ‘if you don’t want to be disappointed expect for the worst’. Pessimists are thus, believed to be good decision makers and level-headed in most situations.

Realism

People who define themselves as neither being positive nor cynical rather focusing on both- the pros and the cons. They accept a situation and deal with the outcome irrespective of if it is positive of negative.

Realists are always seen to be easy-going. Since they accept any situation, even negative outcomes, for what they are they are often understanding of all people and situations. They also have a strong work ethic when it comes to achieving goals since they take into consideration all the possible outcome.

There is a certain belief that realists do not really exist. Some individuals are sceptic that realists are those who are more inclined towards being pessimistic but do not consider themselves pessimistic. There is also a likelihood of not trying to ‘dream big’ as it may not lie in the spectrum of reality that they set for themselves.

Usually realists tend to limit both their optimism and pessimism so there is a probability that they even limit their imagination and abilities of trying to achieve what they think is impossible.

Does your approach to the future matter?

Absolutely your view matters. An extensive research does show how each of these views have their own pros and cons. But an important to note that any research is based on a sample of a population so how your perspective works for you does not necessarily have to match the research.

As I mentioned in one of my previous articles- the hidden power of the mandala– I emphasis on the importance of self and how we dictate our own choices, values and perspectives. The perspective we develop towards are future are very much dictated by our personal experiences and overtime our choice of perspective become a part of our personality. This does not mean that our perspective is the sole dictator of happiness, but as creative beings we always have the power to change our perspective if we think it is not working for us.

The world for the most is grey; it is not black and white. There are highs and lows in life, positives and negatives, but it is important to recognise the plateaus in the middle. Every situation does not need to result in an emotion. Happiness, like any other emotion is transient, it is meant to be felt and enjoyed while it lasts. As important it is to be hopeful, optimistic about the future or be sceptical about coming events it is sometimes best to stay present in the moment.

Something that practicing of meditation has taught me that one of the most important things in life is to be aware and stay in the present. You can guide yourself to focus on the positives and negatives in life, but it is not necessary to force yourself to be optimistic or pessimistic. It is natural to look towards the future, but it should also be natural to stay in the present in the moment. You never know, maybe just enjoying the present could be the real key to happiness.