When Hopes Collide with Reality do we choose optimist or realism?

Breno Cardoso @pexels

I have to admit that I went into January 1st ready to conquer, sparkle, and be the dazzling version of myself the world has been waiting for. Cue to the first week of the year. 

Day one: Car broke down

Day two: Laptop dies

Day three: Most of my friends down with stomach flue, and a strong possibility I'm next...

So Apparently, "New Year, New Hopes" doesn’t apply to everyday life,  and  things don't magically turn to a Utopia after the start of the new year. Sometimes it can be even worse, as things turn to go south faster, when we are in the middle of celebrating, as I have noticed. 

Real life doesn't care about calendars, about resolutions and plans. And when things go the opposite of what we wished, our hopes feel like those flimsy little umbrellas that flip inside out during a storm. 

But when that happens -and most often it happens when we set our head firmly around a concept, for example the start of a new year- should we just give up and see things from a completely realistic point, or should we focus on the bright side and stay optimistic?

In my view just because the raindrops are falling doesn’t mean you have to dance in the puddles of stiff realism. Staying optimistic isn’t about ignoring the tough stuff. It’s more like choosing to embrace hope, even when it’s hard. I mean, think about it – every setback can be a setup for a comeback! Sometimes life has its funny way of redirecting us to better paths. Remember that time you didn’t get the job you wanted, only to find out the next one was a million times better?  

So, when life crumbles your hopes into a million tiny pieces, don’t forget that you’re not defined by those moments. Stay strong and determinded as you keep reaching for the sunshine, even if it feels hidden behind the clouds. 

And always remember, a new year is not just it's first days, as a new plan is not just it's first steps!