I wish I was an optimist.

[ThoseSneakyFrench]

I'm just not able to look on the bright side of things. If something bad happens, that's it, I'm down and depressed for the day, with no recourse to cheer myself back up. And anything good that might happen to me, I doubt it will. The unlikeliness of any fortunate events just seem way too great to me.

I wish it was different. I want to be able to believe that good things can happen to me. That there's always reason to look to the brighter side. Instead, I'm wrapped up in pessimistic philosophies, and it's impossible for me to think otherwise.

Is it even possible to change one's outlook on life by mere willpower?

[TB1ZZL3]

When something happens to me and I get depressed, I remember the simple philosophy, "shit happens".

[TheLameSauce]

maybe if you really apply yourself to being more positive, you will be an optimist!

[Evark]

You're only incapable of being optimistic because you believe you are.

[InsertFunnyUserName]

I'd say it is.

When you dwell in what bad things could happen, it just makes things worse and makes you more afraid of more bad things, but if you force yourself to look at things in a different light, it just might help you not have that fear or that anxiety or whatever it is you may be feeling.

Another trick for cheering yourself up, at least for a little while, is to push yourself to think hard and find at least one thing that you're happy about and that you're looking forward to.

[zyzy]

Welcome to life, enjoy your stay.

[NeverHundred]

I'm proud of my pessimism. If I'm right and things turn to shit I'm happy that I was right, if I'm wrong and things work out than I'm happy that things are good. It's win-win!

[TB1ZZL3]

Anyway, I take anti-depressants, I've had some FUCKED UP anxiety attacks.

[bashyy]

At 3/15/09 09:15 PM, LBRocker wrote: You do NOT want to be an optimist. You do not. Optimists are liberal faggots. We don't need another liberal faggot.

horribly wrong and very narrow-minded reply, if not being sarcastic.

TSF, i feel that joy or optimism comes from achieving things in life. (ie. good test scores, landing an ollie for your first time, animating something others enjoy)
pick up something new as a hobby, or try to improve in something you already do.
i hope you find a source for optimism soon, as i know that being sulky isn't the greatest way to spend days.

[LBRocker]

At 3/15/09 09:17 PM, TB1ZZL3 wrote:

At 3/15/09 09:15 PM, LBRocker wrote: You do NOT want to be an optimist. You do not. Optimists are liberal faggots. We don't need another liberal faggot.

Go. Fucking. Die.

Haha. I offeneded some one. Get over it. I didn't point at you specifically.

[saqwert]

At 3/15/09 09:15 PM, LBRocker wrote: You do NOT want to be an optimist. You do not. Optimists are liberal faggots. We don't need another liberal faggot.

That's not true, I consider myself an optimist and I'm a conservative heterosexual.

[InsertFunnyUserName]

At 3/15/09 09:18 PM, NeverHundred wrote: I'm proud of my pessimism. If I'm right and things turn to shit I'm happy that I was right, if I'm wrong and things work out than I'm happy that things are good. It's win-win!

I prefer realism.

That way I'm not constantly living in fear of bad things happening, no offense. I look at the logistics of a situation and prepare myself for what may come, good or bad.

[lawlmaster]

At 3/15/09 09:15 PM, LBRocker wrote: You do NOT want to be an optimist. You do not. Optimists are liberal faggots. We don't need another liberal faggot.

Hmm i think optimism is pretty good seeing as pessimism nearly cost me my life.

[NeverHundred]

At 3/15/09 09:20 PM, InsertFunnyUserName wrote:

At 3/15/09 09:18 PM, NeverHundred wrote: I'm proud of my pessimism. If I'm right and things turn to shit I'm happy that I was right, if I'm wrong and things work out than I'm happy that things are good. It's win-win!

I prefer realism.

That way I'm not constantly living in fear of bad things happening, no offense. I look at the logistics of a situation and prepare myself for what may come, good or bad.

I like to think of myself as a happy pessimist, a masochist even. I enjoy it when bad things happen to me... I luagh at it. I'm able to deal with the crap in life becuase I've always been prepared for it. And I can always see the good in some of the worst things that happen to me... but for some reason the good things just seem boring and pointless. You never learn anything from good things that happen.

[LordZeebmork]

your problem isn't that you're an optimist. your problem is that you give a fuck about your life. fix that.

[TheLameSauce]

At 3/15/09 09:28 PM, NeverHundred wrote:

At 3/15/09 09:20 PM, InsertFunnyUserName wrote:

At 3/15/09 09:18 PM, NeverHundred wrote:

You never learn anything from good things that happen.

what about positive reinforcement? that whole concept is based around the idea of learning when good things happen to you.

[HandsomePete]

If you wish you were positive, doesn't that automatically make you an optimist? I think it does.

[NeverHundred]

At 3/15/09 09:32 PM, TheLameSauce wrote:

At 3/15/09 09:28 PM, NeverHundred wrote:

At 3/15/09 09:20 PM, InsertFunnyUserName wrote:

At 3/15/09 09:18 PM, NeverHundred wrote:

You never learn anything from good things that happen.

what about positive reinforcement? that whole concept is based around the idea of learning when good things happen to you.

Nah. I'm just happy with the way I am. I'm past really caring about things, I rarely reflect on the good things or the bad things anymore.

Anyone here ever met a person who they would call a real optimist or pesimist?

[MarchelloBB]

At 3/15/09 09:12 PM, ThoseSneakyFrench wrote: Is it even possible to change one's outlook on life by mere willpower?

It is. I used to be the same. I used to walk face-down, hands in my pockets, tasting my tears before they even had the chance to escape. My life sucked, but eventually, I started paying more attention to others. I would notice that if a girl was attractive or somebody looked interesting, it was because they smiled, they talked and looked comfortable.

I literally forced myself to smile, to stand up straight, and everybody started having a different outlook about me.

You've got to make yourself shine.

[InsertFunnyUserName]

At 3/15/09 09:28 PM, NeverHundred wrote: I like to think of myself as a happy pessimist, a masochist even. I enjoy it when bad things happen to me... I luagh at it. I'm able to deal with the crap in life becuase I've always been prepared for it. And I can always see the good in some of the worst things that happen to me... but for some reason the good things just seem boring and pointless. You never learn anything from good things that happen.

Hm, that's definitely interesting.

But I do agree that good things can come out of bad things.

[pointydagger]

It doesnt sound like you just ned to be a little more optimistic, it seems like you need to be a little less dramatic.

To say that nothing good is going to happen just because one thing bad happens just seems overly dramatic to me.

[FUNKbrs]

The only border between pessimism and optimism is a river called denial.

[FUNKbrs]

At 3/15/09 09:30 PM, LordZeebmork wrote: your problem isn't that you're an optimist. your problem is that you give a fuck about your life. fix that.

You should be a bishop in the Church of Hate.

[9001]

most optimist dont look on the bright side of things they just random feel good a few seconds later

[WATCHurFLAG]

At 3/15/09 09:14 PM, TB1ZZL3 wrote: "shit happens".

That's what you mom told herself when you were born.

[ThoseSneakyFrench]

I went to school today pushing against my defeatist attitudes. I don't show how I feel to those I talk to, and do a pretty good job hiding how I really feel. I can be funny and outgoing even when I'm miserable. So even if no one else noticed, I had a better day.

Thanks for forcing me to do it.

<3

[Denvish]

At 3/15/09 09:15 PM, Evark wrote: You're only incapable of being optimistic because you believe you are.

Oh yes indeed.

[DroopyA]

I'm actually under the assumption that often times bad things just do continue to happen to the same people and outlook and attitude have nothing to do with it.

Sometimes the universe just places one of it's many cocks deep in your ass... realizes it's nice and tight, and continues to keep it there for the rest of your life.

I make everything a joke and always see the bright side of things. But strangly, things rarely work out for the best. I've gotten use to it... it's kind of funny now that I'm older.

[Lost-Chances]

I'd rather be a pessimist than an optimist. Rather point out the flaws than see only the good points.

[Ericho]

If you want to be an optimist, there's no reason why you can't be. It's a state of mind. If you want something that is a state of mind, don't you already have it simply by the fact that you want it? Or something.