Pessimism is Disguised Fear
Why distancing yourself from negative influences can liberate your mind and ignite your potential.
I've just sat down at the table—and I already want to leave again. The atmosphere in the bar is musty, but not as filthy as the attitude of the people I'm with.
They put a negative spin on everything I say. I could tell them that I can walk on water, and they would say it's because I can't swim. They drown me in the affliction known as pessimism.
Pessimism is poison for the mind. That's why I need to leave. Easier said than done, since social dynamics exist. There's this inherent fear of rejection if you don't play along with the group. You might not get invited to the next gathering, and this feels horrible. As I'm sitting there, dreading their reaction to me standing up and leaving, I realize something: I don't lose anything when I don't get invited ever again; on the contrary, I win. After this realization, most of my fear evaporates. I tell the group that I need to leave. Despite their negative reaction, I am on my merry way.
I spend the rest of the night by myself. But I'm not lonely; I'm alone—and it's so much more enjoyable than being in bad company.
I despise pessimism. To me, it is cowardice disguised by a veil knit out of pseudo-intelligence and would-be sophistication. There's nothing lazier and more damaging to an optimistic soul than discarding an exciting idea on the scientific basis of "probably won't work, mate."
There's a saying that you're the average of the five people you spend the most time with. If you spend enough time with pessimistic people, you will become one of them. Life is challenging enough to try and stay afloat as it is—don't kid yourself into believing that you can stay on the surface while pessimists try to drag you down into their depths of despair.
Optimism doesn't just feel better; it's also healthier for your brain. I don't advocate for blind optimism, though. This mindset will make you run head-first into a wall. But with the power of hope on your side, you might even be able to break through. Or in the words of Shaan Puri:
“Pessimists get to be right and optimists get to be rich.”