What is Optimism?

Optimism is characterized by a sense of hope and confidence that the outcome of a specific experience-or life outcomes in general-will be positive, even with inevitable challenges. For example, imagine preparing for a big job interview. An optimist mindset would lead you to focus on your skills, preparation, and the possibility of the interview going well, rather than overly dwelling on the fear of making mistakes. A hopeful outlook can help boost confidence and guide you towards positive growth. 

We all want to be a little more optimistic at times…but when does optimism turn into toxic positivity? 

Optimism vs. Toxic Positivity

Optimism is a healthy way of thinking that allows you to express and accept both positive and negative emotions. Toxic positivity is a less adaptive way of thinking that causes people to pretend that everything is fine, even when they’re not. This might look like ignoring or dismissing negative feelings, thoughts, or emotions of yourself or others. Let’s look at the difference.

  • Optimism: “Things are tough right now. Is there anything I can do to make this easier for you?”
  • Toxic Positivity: “Being negative won’t help you, other people have it a lot worse.”


While toxic positivity often comes across as fake happiness, optimism is a more genuine reaction to situations. Optimism creates a sense of empowerment and can support personal growth.

How Optimism Influences Personal Growth

There are several ways in which optimism can influence personal growth, here are a few!

  • Increased resilience: Optimism allows us to view setbacks and challenges as temporary and manageable events. This mindset helps us bounce back from these setbacks and strengthens our ability to try again, rather than taking a step back due to fear of failure.
  • Enhanced motivation: When we believe in ourselves, it fuels the motivations that is necessary to succeed. No matter the goal, optimism encourages us to actively pursue our aspirations despite inevitable challenges.
  • Improved problem-solving skills: One of the core components of optimism is being able to approach challenges with an open mind. This is invaluable to improving our problem-solving skills. When challenges are met with an open mind, it’s easier to seek solutions rather than getting stuck on the negative aspects or potential outcomes of the problem.

Common Barriers to Optimism

Negative thought patterns: One of the most common obstacles to optimism is negative thought patterns. Getting stuck in these processes can make it hard to see the good in all situations. Some negative thought patterns can include all-or-nothing thinking, overgeneralizing, or negative filtering. 

Trauma and adversity: Experiencing trauma or significant adversity can make it challenging to maintain an optimistic outlook. Sometimes life feels unpredictable and overwhelming. When this happens, it’s natural to focus on the difficulties rather than the possibilities. Our past experiences might create a lens of caution or fear. Optimism doesn’t mean ignoring those struggles-it’s about learning to recognize moments of strength and growth within past experiences.

Social influences: If we’re frequently exposed to negativity or criticism, it can be harder to find the positive. Not only can this be affected by the people we surround ourselves with, but social media can also play a big role. Building a supportive circle and setting boundaries with negative influences can help shape a more optimistic environment for you to explore.

See also: What is All-or-Nothing Thinking?

Shifting to an Optimistic Mindset

Shifting to a more optimistic mindset takes some effort. Here are some strategies you can try at home.

  • Practice gratitude: Try writing down a few things you are grateful for, big or small, to focus on some of the positive aspects of life. This can be anything from graduating from school to appreciating that your morning coffee was just a little sweeter this morning.
  • Set realistic goals: Break down some of your larger goals into smaller ones, achievable steps foster a sense of accomplishment and reinforce those feelings of motivation.
  • Challenge your thoughts: If you’re noticing a lot of automatic pessimistic thoughts, try challenging them and considering alternative perspectives. Is this thought helpful? Is it true? If not, let’s try to dial it back, what’s another way we can look at the situation?
  • Seek professional support: If you struggle to shift your mindset and it’s beginning to affect your day-to-day abilities, it might be time to consider seeking some extra support. 


Optimism is a journey, not a destination. By understanding its barriers and practicing some mindset shifts, you can create a more fulfilling outlook on life. If you feel you might need some support, you can contact us, book an appointment, or schedule a free consultation.