Zizi Sparks: Why being perpetually positive has its pros and cons

Being positive has its pros and cons. Photo / Getty Images

OPINION

I like to consider myself a perpetually positive person.

If something goes wrong I don't tend to fret or figure out whose fault it was, I just think about how to fix it. If I can't find a way to fix it, I like to think things will sort themselves out in the end. And if they don't, tomorrow is a new day.

In part, it comes back to being told, "let's just fix the problem not the blame" as a child.

The "everything will be all right in the end" mindset might be considered naïve but I think there are pros as well as cons.

Endless positivity has both personal and social benefits.

For me, when I have a tough or stressful day, I have the mindset tomorrow will be different. I try not to let yesterday's issues affect today. I've made big mistakes or had difficult news. I take the time to process them and yes, I feel sorry for myself, but the next day I do my best to move on. Depending on the scale of it of course.

This ability to move on and tackle each day with fresh positivity allows me to recentre myself and remain upbeat.

As well as that, positive people attract positive people. You could be more likely to be invited to things if you're positive to be around, and surrounding yourself with like-minded people can only be a good thing.

Another pro to positivity is the ability to influence the mood and turn someone's day around. It's difficult to stay frowning if someone is smiling at you or seeing the potential in every situation.

But of course no one is perfect. (Or are they? Sorry positivity talking) and there are some cons to perpetually positive people.

It could mean you're not realistic about things and it may lead to disappointment if people or situations don't live up to expectations.

Positivity won't always get you through a tough situation or prepare you for the worst.

Positive vibes that bad things won't happen won't prepare you for an earthquake as well as a survival kit would, for example.

Being positive can also lead to disappointment. I try to see the best in people and sometimes that means overlooking flaws. That can come back to bite you and let you down.

One of the worst times being perpetually positive went wrong was with a relative's cancer diagnosis.

They were diagnosed and of course, I googled the prognosis. I can't remember the specific odds but it wasn't positive, but I was. As they lost weight, tried treatments unsuccessfully, I remained optimistic things would work out. They didn't and that relative died less than a year later.

That is a worst-case scenario and while it hurt, I haven't let it affect my positive attitude in our aspects of life.

While being perpetually positive may have its cons, I would rather be always positive, than always negative and cynical.