What is Optimism, and Why You're a Born Optimist

What you need to maneuver through a world of uncertainty is a sense of optimism—an attitude characterized by hope and confidence in a positive future.

Optimistic attitudes are linked to a number of benefits, including better coping skills, lower stress and anxiety levels, better physical health, healthier relationships, and higher motivation and resilience when pursuing your goals.

Don't confuse optimism with the toxic positivity of modern-day society. 

• Positivity is saying that things are good even when they're not. Truth is, toxic positivity is delusional and destructive because it blinds you from the reality of what is.
• Optimism is about being hopeful about the future, even when the present seems woefully negative. It’s about working through your negative emotions—instead of ignoring them—to better understand what they’re trying to tell you.