Optimism Articles

Medically reviewed by Melissa Guarnaccia

Optimism is an outlook characterized by positivity. An optimist may look for the positive in as many situations as possible. It’s a belief system that situations will turn out in one’s favor or for the “greater good.” An optimist sees the glass half full rather than half empty. 

Optimism comes from the Latin word “optimum,” which means “best.” When you're optimistic, you’re looking at the best possible outcome that could occur from a scenario. In psychology, this outlook is referred to as “dispositional optimism.”

Psychological optimism

There may be a difference between positively looking at a situation and negatively conceptualizing it. There are two theories considered in psychology: dispositional optimism and dispositional pessimism. People who see the negative side of a situation first are called pessimists, the opposite of optimists. You are pessimistic if you catastrophize and consistently believe you or others will fail. You may be an optimist if you try to consider a situation's positive aspects above all else.  

Do optimists live more positive lives?

In therapy, some people work on building a more optimistic outlook. When viewing a situation negatively, you may experience life with hopelessness or sadness. Pessimism and pessimistic thinking can sometimes be signs of depression. Therapy can help people target pessimism to live a more positive life.

One common form of therapy is cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT). CBT helps clients look at their negative thought patterns, which could be considered pessimistic, and transform them into more positive thinking. 

Optimists may not have “better” lives than pessimists but may naturally react more healthily or positively to challenges, which could increase their resilience. However, pessimists can also have positive lives. 

How CBT can increase optimism 

In cognitive-behavioral therapy, you look at “cognitive distortions.” Cognitive distortions are thought patterns that may be irrational or blown out of proportion and are often negative. These thought patterns affect a person's emotions and overall mental health significantly. If you always believe that the outcome will be negative or reject the positive aspects of a situation, you're thinking pessimistically. If you think people don't like you or are personalizing a situation (for example, “everything is my fault” or “everyone hates me”), you may also be experiencing cognitive distortions. CBT helps you reframe these thoughts and develop an optimistic mindset. 

How optimism may improve daily life 

If you look for the best in a situation, you may be more likely to see a positive outcome. You may be more willing to give others the benefit of the doubt and celebrate even minor victories. 

In some situations, the outcome may be negative, even though you’ve kept an optimistic outlook. For example, bad situations can happen to good people. People who have endured severe trauma may understand this sentiment. However, optimism may help these individuals persevere and see life as a fundamentally positive experience. They may turn their pain into growth and work through it with a professional, knowing it is possible to overcome challenges. People with a pessimistic outlook may give up, which can be unhealthy. 

The grey area of life 

Optimism may sometimes be about seeing the “grey area” of life instead of seeing it as “all good” or “all bad.” People can have positive and negative moments and emotions, which is normal. Although people can’t be happy 100% of the time, optimism is not the same as happiness. Looking at a situation's positive, negative, and realistic aspects can help you get the complete picture. However, if you struggle to do so, you might consider contacting a therapist for support. 

Support options 

A counselor can offer support if you struggle to adopt an optimistic viewpoint. When you talk with a therapist, you can explore any roadblocks that may prevent optimism. In addition, if you’re experiencing barriers to in-person therapy, such as difficulty paying for sessions, you can access support through online platforms like BetterHelp. 

Through an online platform, you can set your treatment goals before you get matched with a provider and choose between phone, video, or live chat sessions. In addition, you can access worksheets and other resources from home, which gives you time and space to consider them in a way that is comfortable for you. 

Studies also back up the effectiveness of online therapy. One study found that 71% of participants found it more effective than in-person treatment, and 80% found it more cost-effective. 

Takeaway 

Optimism is a unique skill. Although some people may find it comes easy to them, others may want to work to develop it over time. To learn more about optimism, consider reading the above articles or working with a licensed therapist to develop this skill further.