In today's time, where the world is run on the internet, social media and the ridiculous posts we come across, we take in too much of it and let it affect us. Our optimism is an important factor in who we are and how we develop, and spending the majority of our time scrolling and assimilating every piece of information and letting it change who we are is a growing issue. Keeping our positivity throughout anything we experience is so important for our personal growth and development for society as a whole.
The reality of being optimistic appears as if it's something out of a fairytale as no one seems to believe it is important or even have an ounce of optimism. The confidence of the current generation looks to be declining because of the amount of time spent scrolling our lives away and it continues adding to the already existing damage many have experienced.
"Social media has had a very negative effect on our generation and the generations growing up today," junior Elizabeth Standerfer said. "I believe that people are more negative because of the comparison to other people's fake lives."
Being able to look at every situation in a positive manner, no matter the event can show a huge difference in who you are. Having an optimistic outlook in challenging situations helps to find peace and the best in every situation no matter how much reflection comes with it.
"In my experience, positivity looks and feels better in any situation, especially when using laughter to avoid irritation," sophomore Josiah Floyd said. " Just take a deep breath and make a joke."
Having hope and not doubting yourself can help in the long run whether you believe it does or not. From a promposal to an important job application, the mindset you have while doing it is what sets the bar for yourself.
"When I took my driving test I felt very confident and prepared instead of being scared, and I did pass my driving test and got my license," senior Danny Mondragon said.
Although it is important to be optimistic, finding a limit and being realistic is also important. As contradicting as it is, too much positivity can begin to harm us if we think too far ahead of ourselves and take in too much. Just like an illness, the positivity you have in any aspect of your life can spread into and affect your mental and physical health whether it's positively or negatively.
"If you are too optimistic, disappointment can hurt you if things don’t work out in your favor," Standerfer said. "You can still think and prepare for the bad while having the outlook that no matter what happens, it will be okay."
Having the mindset to continue pushing forward throughout any event can bring you great success. Accomplishing goals is everyone's priority, and positivity can increase your chances of doing so by a landslide. Academically or outside of the classroom, keeping a positive mindset will be well worth it in the end.
"No matter the span of the goal, whether it's finishing the dishes early or graduating college, optimism inspires me to keep going and keep pushing because I know the payoff will be beautiful," Floyd said.
Perception is reality. Your view of the world will structure how you experience life. If you have a negative perspective, you're much more inclined to face negative experiences. On the contrary, If you face things with a positive and confident attitude, your experiences will reflect that.