On a Scale of 1-10, How Optimistic Are You?

Jennifer Post

6 Min Quiz

Image: Klaus Vedfelt / DigitalVision / Getty Images

About This Quiz

Being able to see things in a positive, hopeful manner is not always easy. It's also not something that you will feel all day, every day. Things get you down, but taking a few days to wallow in how bad things can be sometimes doesn't mean you're not an optimistic person. It could mean that you are a good mix of optimism and realism, and sometimes the realism wins out. But being overly optimistic in some unsuitable situations could be a detriment. The bottom line is that it's okay to not always be okay, and it's okay to want to be positive but to also recognize that things are just not going great.

Sometimes it's easier to be more optimistic for other people than it is to be optimistic for yourself. That is an excellent trait, but don't forget to take care of yourself, as well, and hope that the good deeds you've done for others will come back to you at some point. Even a little bit of optimism goes a long way. On a scale of 1-10, where do you feel you fall as far as your optimism goes? Take this quiz and we'll tell you how you measure up!

If you were to lose your job, what would be your initial reaction?

I'd want revenge.

I would cry.
I'd be upset, but I'd come around.

Just wasn't meant to be

When you first meet a person of the opposite sex, what are your first thoughts?

It doesn't mean anything.

At the very least, I'll have a new friend.
Definitely a possible romance

I'm wondering what our kids will look like.

Your friend just got dumped. How do you cheer them up?

They'll get over it in time.

Junk food
Find them a new love interest

Tell them how amazing they are and that it's the other person's loss

What are you ordering for dinner on a Friday night in?

I'm just eating cereal.

Friday night is pizza night.
A little something from every place in the area

Doesn't matter, as long as ice cream follows

How do you handle serious grief like a death?

I pretty much go numb.

I try to see the positive.
Buy flowers, cry if I have to and try to support others

Get anyone anything they need; I'm always there to help and make things easier.

Do you feel like you've had to deal with real hardship in your life?

Every day, it seems

Oh yes, hasn't everyone?
Yes, but I choose to not let it define me.

Everything happens for a reason.

Let's say you got passed over for a promotion but your best friend got it. Are you happy for them?

I'm angry for myself.

Eventually, I will be happy for them.
Of course! I'm sure it was a tough decision.

All I want is for my friends to be happy.

Your schoolwork prevents you from celebrating a friend's birthday. Are you cool with that?

Schoolwork never comes first.

I try to get my work done so that I can at least celebrate a little bit.
I've planned ahead so nothing would get in the way of my friend's birthday celebration.

Are you kidding? I'm hosting the celebration!

Did you have a good childhood, as far as you can remember?

It wasn't NOT good.

It was about average; there's nothing serious to report.
It was great! I have very fond memories.

I think I had the best possible childhood.

Was bullying ever something you had to deal with?

I was probably the bully.

For sure, but that was a long time ago
I've just grown from my experiences.

I would try to protect others from bullies.

Do you plan for the future?

I just take things day to day.

Not too far ahead; it gives me anxiety.
I've got a solid five-year plan.

I absolutely know where I want to be and what I want to accomplish almost every year.

What are your favorite kinds of books to read?

True-crime novels

Historical fiction and non-fiction
Romance novels

I love Young Adult stories.

When you're in need of a little cheering up, who/what do you turn to?

Wine

My sister
Myself

I turn to my journal to get it all out.

What's your first line of defense against heartbreak?

Not falling in love in the first place

Cookie dough
You just have to let yourself feel what you're feeling.

Heartbreak is part of life and a learning experience.

Do you think crying is a show of weakness?

I used to; I guess part of me still does.

Not at all
Crying is cathartic.

The opposite, actually; I think it shows strength.

What is it about being positive that you like so much?

It can make someone else's day.

The world is dark enough, and being positive, even just for a second, can help that.
It makes me feel like I'm doing something.

People really seem to appreciate it.

Thinking of the word "optimism," what does it actually mean to you?

The meaning changes depending on what's going on in life.

Just being open to change
It means seeing the good in bad situations.

It means knowing everything will work out, even if it doesn't seem like it now.

How do you deal with stress, whether it's in your love life, work life or family life?

I tend to eat my feelings of stress.

I try to talk it out with the source of my stress.
Work through it with meditation and self-evaluation

I know it will pass, so I don't give it too much attention.

When others ask you how you always remain so positive, how do you respond?

No one ever asks me that.

I say that I feel like that's the only choice I have or else I'll fall apart.
It's easier than it looks.

It's important to put on a good face so others feel comfortable.

Would you consider your style, whether decor or personal, to be reflective of your personality?

Probably not, but it's okay that they're separate

My style is all over the place.
My home decor more than my clothes

Oh yes, everything is bright and cheery

Do you tend to see the best in everyone?

No, not everyone is good

I try, but sometimes I'm wrong.
I try to just let people show me who they are.

To a fault

Do you have a favorite positive quote?

"When you think positive, good things happen."

"Every day brings new choices."
"You cannot have a positive life and a negative mind."

"Keep your face to the sunshine and you cannot see a shadow."

Are you easily relaxed?

It takes a lot to work me up.

I'm getting better at it.
What is relaxed?

I'm always on high alert.

Do you value your friendships?

I've been a bad friend lately.

My friendships are the most important things in my life.
I tend to value them more than my friends value me.

Of course I do, but I know when to cut ties.

Are you one to keep yourself busy in order to not have to deal with certain things?

I'm always busy, but I never take a deep dive into the reason why.

I have hobbies, but not as an escape, per se.
I prefer to deal with things.

No, but I'm good at keeping others busy if they need it.

Do you expect things to work out in your favor?

Nope, not really

I try to believe that they will work out if I work hard.
I don't expect it, but they usually do.

They will because I find a positive in everything.

Are you a believer in luck?

Sure, some people get really lucky.

I believe in hard work and making your own luck.
I think luck is something people made up so others wouldn't feel bad.

Absolutely! Luck is very real.

You land your dream job. How do you celebrate?

I don't; it could be over in a heartbeat.

Go out for drinks
A nice dinner with friends

Throw a party

If you've been working on a problem for a while and you just can't figure it out. What do you do?

Stop wasting time and give up

Take a break
Sleep on it and hope the solution comes to me

Work on it until I figure it out

Do you manage your money well?

No, I'm terrible at it.

I make a budget, but I don't always stick to it.
I've gotten so much better at it, but I'm still paying off debt.

I could be an accountant.

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