# Optimistic Pessimism

By [jer979](https://paragraph.com/@jer979-2) · 2025-10-21

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Or is it Pessimistic Optimism?

I feel the weight of my perceived reality.

Though I may hope, on the deepest of levels, that external facts may change.

I also know, in those same deep places--my gut, my heart-- that they never will.

My arms and shoulders feel heavy.

My eyebrows sag under the weight of the despair.

A time of perpetual sunshine, rainbows, and unicorns is simply never going to happen.

It’s easy to get dark, to give up.

The challenge is to keep walking, keep smiling, keep breathing, keep celebrating, keep enjoying even if and when I know that.

To account for it, to make plans accordingly, but not to let it destroy me.

It’s the forge.

I can melt.

Or I emerge stronger.

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*Originally published on [jer979](https://paragraph.com/@jer979-2/optimistic-pessimism)*