I tried a thread ages ago like this, but it ended up with some, uh, fetishistic responses, which was not quite what I was going for.

It's almost spring in North America, and with it comes hope, optimism, change for the better, yeah? I mean, that's the standard.

My personal theory is: in general, societal happiness and contentment is directly related to associated optimism. We need things to look forward to, to anticipate with enthusiasm. I think it's why certain eras are felt to be so iconic, like the 50s and 60s. Obviously for different reasons entirely, but society as a whole felt optimistic for achievement in those times, anticipating change, a brighter future. Having survived catastrophe, or narrowly avoiding one isn't enough.

If I personally have things I am looking forward to, goals I'm actively working on in order to attain certain results, I'm happy. At the very least, happier. Having lived in circumstances where the immediate goal was just to survive, to maintain, to not lose any more, I found trying to find things to look forward to near impossible. That impacted my overall outlook.

Subsistence isn't conducive to health, whether mental or physical. Builds resolve, certainly, and one can be proud of having survived. But happy isn't a word I'd use, and optimism wasn't exactly thick on the ground then, certainly not in my case. For many people a lot of this sort of thing is tied to economic circumstances, but that isn't everything, not by a long shot.

Not terribly long ago I realized that I've been just .... coasting the last few years. Doing okay, my life is comfortable, family is happy and healthy, nothing too strenuous going on. I'm blessed, and grateful. I was able to minimize adversity, and that's no small feat, but not really striving or looking forward to something, either. I give that over to healing, which is fine. I'm not blaming myself, I'm just saying it's time to work on identifying something to look forward to.

Small things, sure, like hosting dinner parties again, gardening, a little travel, that type of thing, but also something bigger. More fundamental.

I think I need an adventure. Maybe a big move across the country, or to another country. A new job in a new place, meeting new people, learning new geography. Something.

The realization hit me: I'm feeling optimistic. Like I'm ready to grow a new skin, write a new chapter. I'm in the before time, I'm looking for an 'after', a catalyst.

What about you? Are you optimistic? What are you looking forward to?

Could be small, or big. I'd like to hear about what you're looking forward to.

 

No zen moment or career chasing here but I might be going on a rockhounding trip in the desert north of Death Valley next month. Besides looking for cool rocks with other rockhounds, I especially love the drive down Hwy 395 on the Eastern side of the Sierra's. It's one of my favorite road trips.

 

I'm moving from the home I've lived in for 15 years. Planning a trip once the borders open. Trying out new business ideas. I need a fresh start after the last few years of hell.

 

I had some fresh starts at the end of last year. New work place, some new hobbies, new friends... So I still feel inspired and hopeful, and now l just wonder what other good things this year will bring me. Whatever happens, I want to laugh a lot.

 

This thread is exactly where i'm at. I was always the type to just be living in the moment. Enthusiastic about living in general. Always just living it up. Adventure found me. I didn't even look for it. The problem is i was never focused on long term goals for my future. Which has caused me to kinda just be "coasting" as you worded it for hell, most my adult life. Lol In survival mode and not by choice. But it's like a ripple effect!! I'm sure everyone knows what i mean. It's like you don't have time to think. You're really just trying to ride the damn waves. Haha

Ya, i feel you totally gf!! I'm ready for something. I have no idea what that is yet. I'm not content with just living. Life is way to short for that. Maybe when i figure out what my big dreams and goals are gonna be. I can come back to update. I love the thread idea.❤

 

I am feeling that sense of renewal that comes with Spring as well.
I am looking forward to exciting new things this year, and leaving the past in the dust!

 

Longer days, getting warmer, and a spring in your step and in a dirty mind

 

God yes! Spring is coming...and better weather for these old bones, and now with the vaccine hope it works, looking forward to Asian massage, A nice Columbian lady I know....As for the future, Optimistic?? Hopeful...

 

I'm happy to have a guy brain. I don't even know enough words to string together like subby did to express my feelings.
Fishing maybe describes it best.

 

For myself, I’m always optimistic with my personal life or plans. For my country, there is no optimism for this year or the foreseeable future. My focus will be solely on me and family/friends.

 

To see the trees growing leaves is like your starting a new year and if the last one was bad here's to a fresh start

 

Being single for the first time in years and also getting my own home. Crazy excited

 

I felt something very similar recently too. I have changed.

I never used to, but I have a lot of optimism now because I'm seeing the positive results of the changes.

 

I can relate to so many things you said above, the highs and the lows. I was going bonkers with all the extra time on my hands after recently retiring and when COVID hit, that damn near sent me to the funny farm! Then I discovered astronomy. Now when ever I look to see what the weather report says, I’m always looking to see if it’s going to be clear at night and what the low temperature is going to be LOL. I’ll be taking a vacation soon and the first thing I wanted to know was if there would be any trees blocking my view. So to say I have found something to get excited about, that would be a great big yes. I could go on and on about this but I won’t for now, I’ll only say it’s really big out there.

 

I am looking forward to returning to Texas when the move is done, building a new home for us, and deciding on a new career. We are planning a vacation for after CoVid to go back to Japan and maybe even China if we can to see the lost city or even taking a cruise while the house is being built.

 

I’ve been very lucky and blessed, and the only time I ever felt less than optimistic was years ago after we were both badly injured in a terrible car crash. Even then, though, we were determined to come back stronger. But the past two years have been rough, losing parents (especially seeing how much the kids were hurting) and then losing much of the usual social interaction with loved ones. We have a very large extended family, and it hurt being unable to get together, especially since many are first responders and essential workers who were having a rough time themselves.

I’m more fortunate than many, in that we weren’t terribly affected financially by the pandemic and, if you have to be stranded with the same people for a year, it doesn’t get any better than being "stuck" with my husband & kids.

But I’m feeling really optimistic for the near future... most of the family had or have scheduled their vaccinations, so we’re planning a few get-togethers in late spring. It looks like our baseball team & some of the kids’ favorite activities are coming back this summer, and it’s nice to see them looking forward to that. As someone said earlier, it’s hard to be optimistic about the political divide in the U.S. right now, but I won’t let that distract me from the daily joy all around me!

 

I started a new job this week, and while I've had more jobs than most this one really feels like a fresh start for me.
I've taken the opportunity to bring more balance to my life. I was feeling burned out, wasn't really looking after myself and was mentally and physically exhausted.

The stress will come with the new job, but I'm taking the opportunity to set out my stall up front that I want balance in my life and I'm not prepared to work round the clock.
Since I don't start until 9am and I'm currently working at home, I'm going for a walk in the morning before work. I'm taking a lunch break and having a decent meal away from my screen. I'm logging off early enough to spend time catching up with friends, in the hope that when restrictions are lifted I'll be able to get back to a more social routine.

It's the culmination of a lot of small changes, but I'm currently in a very good place. Now if only that good place was under a fit bloke I'd be in hog heaven!

 

Shooter has always been more optimist than pessimist.
Since he's retired, he's found so much to be happy for.
A replumbed heart that has him feeling 10 years younger.
New Teeth.

But most important, a grand daughter.
Watching her from birth to more than her first year has been a delight.
Not just because she is the prettiest, smartest, most advanced baby ever born (really, and Shooter is not prejudiced in this opinion) but because she clearly is as stubborn and opinionated as her mother, and the clashes to come between them will be epic.

See, there is justice in the world, Shooter reminds himself.

 

I’m excited to feel like the living again. I’m close to starting a new job that was going to start before the pandemic, but then that happened. I’m excited for this possible new job as it’s a bit outside of my comfort zone, but it is exactly what I want to do, as it helps certain people, which seems to be my passion.
We’ve also decided to travel again. We cancelled a trip last summer, so I’m hoping it happens this summer. While I loved having my family to stay home with and have the pool and do lots of things together, I’m looking forward to just quiet time with my husband.