The Thin Line Between Optimism and Toxic Optimism.

The fascinating thing about us humans is that our emotions, perceptions and morals swing back and forth like a pendulum, failing to find a middle spot. Sometimes we either try gulping down the idea that nothing is in our control and wait for fate to run its course as we sit back and mourn about our helplessness or we put on rose-tinted glasses and say “ the world is our oyster”. While the former can be recognised by many as an unhealthy way of looking at life, after all a life is to be lived not just witnessed, but most would think the other to be the ideal viewpoint, failing to see that the latter can be just as toxic.

Slapping on “All is gonna be alright”, “The only problem in your way is you” slogans mindlessly on the covers of the magazine is hardly going to solve any problems either in the lives of people or on a macro level, this is not to say these words can’t be powerful and empowering but there is no value of optimism in a void, one needs to acknowledge the existence of problems, the prevalence of privilege and the ruthless uncertainty that pervades our future. Without acknowledgement of reality as it is, drinking the potion of acknowledgement can be intoxicating, blurring out our perception of reality. For instance, saying one is blind to race denies the very existence of racism, acknowledging and reducing racism requires one to accept the unequal footing that people from different races have.

Problem solving needs action and risk-taking. An optimistic outlook involves hoping that our actions and hardwork will have favourable consequences and push us closer to our goals; optimism is without a doubt valuable, it fuels one’s perseverance that pushes us closer to our goals. But blind optimism that makes us forget just how unfair and bitter reality is can be an obstacle in itself. One can’t wait on the rain for years, after a while rationality would suggest one must look for alternative or control the damage of drought.

As bitter as it sounds, the truth remains that whether or not our hard work will bring out the best outcome remains up to the mercy of time and the system that we work in is plagued by injustice, acceptance of this reality is essential for deciding on the best course of action. Hope is a beautiful thing, perhaps the only thing that brings out the good in people but the reason is also indispensable.