Ysolt Usigan Schmidt
Optimists look at the bright side of life. Pessimists tend to focus on the negatives. So are you an optimist or a pessimist? If you’re not sure, there are easy ways to tell. Optimists exhibit certain behaviors that identify them as glass-half-full type of people.
If you recognize these 19 behaviors, you’re an optimist at heart…
1) You exhibit positive resilience
According to Isabel Faye, relationship and lifestyle expert of dating and spirituality advice site, Twin Flamesly, “Optimists view setbacks as temporary challenges.” That means, you go through bad things, and you display resilience and bounce back stronger.
2) You have gratitude and appreciation
Faye says if you have a knack for finding joy in everyday experiences and expressing gratitude even for the smallest of blessings, you’re an optimist.
3) You are solution-oriented
Instead of dwelling on problems, optimists naturally focus on finding solutions, Faye explains.
4) You have a proactive mindset
Are you the type to always be going after what you want? If you’re laser-focused on your goals and strive towards them, you’re an optimist!
5) You are hopeful about the future
Optimists maintain a belief in the potential for positive outcomes, says Faye. They are fueled by motivation and perseverance.
6) You cultivate meaningful relationships
Faye believes if you have a habit of reaching out to loved ones and expressing appreciation for them, you’re definitely an optimist.
7) You see the best in others
Not everyone in your life is going to be amazing. But, you find something good in even the most flawed of people. It’s because you’re an optimist who sees the good in everyone.
8) You engage in acts of kindness
Are you the type to do nice things for people without a benefit? You’re not only selfless, you’re also optimistic by nature. You radiate that optimism and you share it with others through your good deeds.
9) You engage in physical activities that bring you joy
Whether you love to dance, hike, or practice yoga, you actively make time for the things that make you happy.
10) You include people in the physical activities that bring you joy
Like #8 above, you also drag people into your fun. You want others to also reap the happiness you get from your favorite hobbies, so you invite them to join in.
11) You view setbacks as temporary or isolated occurrences
Not everyone’s life is going to be perfect. From time to time, things are going to happen that might impact you negatively.
But if you approach your problems and issues as something that happened that didn’t change the course of your life completely, you’re an optimist. If you know the negative aspects of life are temporary, you have a generally good outlook, making you a total optimist.
12) You have the ability to find the silver lining in any situations
When something bad happens, do you often think of the bright side?
You say to yourself, “well, this happened and even though it wasn’t a good occurrence, something good came out of it” or that you learned something? That is a wonderful skill (some might even say, gift!) and you are an optimist.
13) You celebrate wins—even small ones
It’s common to celebrate big wins, like a new job, a baby on the way, a promotion. But do you find yourself celebrating even the smallest of achievements?
If you reveled in scoring a great deal on a product you just bought, or are rejoicing about some small work recognition, you’re an optimist by heart!
14) You surround yourself with good people and influences
Do you sometimes look around and say, wow, I have the most amazing friends and acquaintances?
You’re probably an optimist. The fact that you gravitate towards good-natured people and influences who bring about positivity means you’re attracting people just like you!
15) You love reading inspirational stories
You get nourishment from hearing about good things happening to people. Whether it’s a triumphant story about someone achieving something great or learning about something going from bad to good, you love it because you’re an optimist.
16) You embrace the journey, not necessarily the outcome
As you move through life, while goals are key, you tend to enjoy and appreciate the process more than anything. For you, it’s not just about winning, it’s about how you played the game. That’s exactly how an optimist at heart behaves.
17) You do what you love
If you’re lucky, your job is also your passion. Making your passion something that earns you income and adds to your livelihood shows just what an optimist you are.
18) You love what you do
Regardless of what your job is and even if you didn’t go into it thinking it was your passion, if you started to love it in the process, you’re an optimist for sure!
That means, you took something that should feel like a chore, and you found the best things about it, so now you enjoy it. You’re winning at life, basically.
19) You take care of your physical, emotional, and mental well-being
“Set boundaries, engage in self-reflection, and indulge in activities that recharge and rejuvenate you,” says Faye. If you’re already doing that, you’re clearly an optimist who knows how to put yourself first in a wonderful, healthy way.
Final thoughts
Now that you know the behaviors of an optimist, where do you fall? Did you discover that you are, in fact, an optimist? Or did you realize (from reading this article) that you’re actually a pessimist?
If you’re the latter and want to improve your outlook on life, you can start by cultivating self-awareness through practices like meditation, suggests Griff Williams, founder of MindEasy and qualified meditation teacher with the British School of Meditation.
“Recognize negative thought patterns and challenge them with positive affirmations,” Williams adds. “Adopt an attitude of gratitude, noting down things you’re thankful for each day.”
Williams says to also surround yourself with positive influences, and engage in activities that bring you joy. Basically, you need to exhibit the qualities and behaviors of optimists as laid out above.
The first part is recognizing where you fall on the optimism scale though. Then, you can make changes to get yourself on the up and up. Good luck!
