Pessimism does not effect my mental health

[Misssy]

People always try to say be positive and junk like that. I have no clue why or what they are saying. I want them to just not talk to me.

So the idea that being positive can make our mental health better is silly. In my opinion.

[Chantellabella]

I find for myself that there's a time to be positive and a time to look at things realistically. Sometimes I feel like grieving and so feeling negative and feeling sad is ok. It's like I am indulging my need to feel sorry for myself. Everybody needs a TLC bandaid every once in awhile, don't they? It's like some primal need to be taken care of, even if the caretaker is myself.

There are also times to be positive in my life. If I find I am being grouchy because I've given up hope about something, then it helps me to say "Oh well, it's not the end of the world. Things will look up."

I think the key to what you said is, "people always try to be positive." Unfortunately sometimes they think they have to be positive all the time which may inadvertently make them stuff sad feelings. Sadness and hopeless feelings are just as human as being joyful and happy. Feelings are a natural response to life. When we have to think about how we feel or tell ourselves we should or should not feel a certain way, well, that creates problems.

Pessimism plays a role in what I call "the devil's advocate." Somebody has to be that minority vote of "hey, but what if it doesn't happen the way we want it to?" While everyone is hoping for the best, at least the pessimistic person has prepared for the worst. I want at least one pessimist on my team just in case the ideal end result bombed.

[L]

Overall I try to be a positive person and feel there is a time and a place to feel negative about something. There needs to be a good balance. That is just me and it works for me. Staying positive keeps me mentally well where if I wanted to I could let the events of the word bring me down, as they often do anyway!

[SmileyFace]

Pessimism affects me in horrible ways I usually prefer people be optimistic (not in such a foolish way where they think EVERYTHING will be 100.. but I really cannot stand being around people who are pessimistic about everything. I'm already going through a lot, and the last thing I need is dealing with a negative nancy. But that's just me...

After all, I have found time and time again that when I am uber negative, it irritates everyone else (including myself).

[peace]

Optimism to me is a foreign concept, I have nothing to be optimistic about. My whole life has been a series of disappointments and a general longing to be dead.