As I’ve gotten older, I’ve noticed more traits and characteristics in individuals that I try to avoid being around. While narcissism, dishonesty, and apathy are all major red flags to me, pessimism is the one I dislike most.

Being around a person who is stuck in a negative mindset drains me mentally. In my experience, pessimistic individuals tend to be stuck in their ways and refuse to see thinks from a brighter, positive perspective. No matter how much optimism and insight you try to give them, often times they’ll only react with negativity.

I try to distance myself from pessimists, as their attitude tends to bring down others around them to join them in their negative headspace. I avoid it for the sake of my own mental and emotional well-being.

I feel empathy for these kinds of people, as they’re stuck in a miserable cycle and do not allow themselves to find joy in the little things in life. How I see it, the positives always outweigh the negatives. Changing your view on life has the potentional to change your entire life!

– A.B.