I’m empathetic to people who are pessimistic because I know that for them, pessimism is almost a form of protection; it’s a defense mechanism. They think it keeps them safe from disappointment or getting their hopes up, but I actually think it’s way less productive than operating from a place of optimism .. When you’re optimistic, you’re playing offense instead of defense. It's the positive energy that makes things happen. It makes you feel good, it makes the people around you feel good, and ultimately, it’s what makes even the "bad" stuff bearable — because when you’re optimistic, you understand that shit can and will get better ❤️