Hug a teddy

Dear Optimists,

Every day we struggle to find happiness and boost our self-esteem. We build optimism gradually, with willpower and, of course, smiles.

But years of work can be destroyed in a single night. A single phrase, commen or facial expression can shatter every self-confidence we have and drown our good mood into a storm of negativity.

Yes, it’s hard to stay optimistic. But it doesn’t mean we should give up. We should start to build everything again… but not without support and affection, which can effectively come from a hug – with a huge fluffy teddy bear!!!

So who said that lonely people could not have a hug as well?

In hard times, teddy bears (or whatever teddy animal you love) can really help. Believe a 16-year-old teenage girl. Haha.

So next time you’re sad, hug a teddy bear. It’s the next best thing to a hug from a loved one!

Love,
An Evil Nymph.

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A pessimistic Optimist

Dear Optimists,

I think I’ve run into a brick wall. My mood is low and I seem to have trouble looking on the bright side of life. The ideas and happiness seems to have left me.

I’ve tried all the things that would normally get me into a better mood, but without any success.

Reading causes me to fall asleep. Which also happens to be the reason why I hate hardcover books. They hurt.

Funny movies and awesome sitcoms don’t seem to affect me.

Drawing, which I love with all my heart, doesn’t make me smile as much as it used to.

(My drawing of an original painting by Павел Безруков for my cousin’s thesis on old men and football)

I even tried singing and dancing – something that ALWAYS works for me. These days it only seems to be working just for the moment. Which is better than nothing.

This is the only way of smiling I can do these days.

It could be the fact that I’ve been ill for the past month. Or that I have a shitload of oral exams this month that causes me to freak. But dear Optimists, what do you do when you hit rock bottom? What makes you smile?

Love,
Nadia.

Remember yourself

Dear Optimists,

You know those days were you just can’t seem to get around? All you can do is to just stare and ignore your daily duties or homework. You just want to be alone, don’t want people to talk to you and you get annoyed by those who do anyway. Especially the overly positive people.

A true optimist would say “Get up off the couch and seize the day!”, “Live everyday like it’s your last!” and “Look out the window, the world is beautiful!” – but truth is that everybody feels like this every now and then. Even the greatest optimist. And it’s perfectly okay.

I don’t have to mention that I have one of those days today. My boyfriend tried his best doing the before-metioned peptalk, but I was only able to snap back at him.
Then he said to me:

“Did you know that those negative days where you can’t do anything for yourself, where you think you don’t deserve anything; that’s the days where you do most for others, especially me. You give so much – it’s okay to take too.”

Words of wisdom.

Love,
Nadia.

Fresh air

Dear Optimists,

One of the things that can make me happier is a stroll in the park – just get out there, suck in some fresh air (or polluted, depending on what city you live in) and clear my mind.

Lately, I can’t seem to find the ambition to get up from the couch and do this. Hell, TV-shows can make me happy too and keep me entertained, right? But television only works for a short period of time.

My boyfriend’s a smoker (eekk!) and sometimes he needs to go buy cigs – always when all the nearby stores are closed, except the farthest shop. Obviously.
He always talks me into getting off my arse and walking with him hand in hand. I always complain loudly, until we’re halfway.

Then I realise I’m finally up and off the couch. And I smile.

Now, get up and go for a walk!

Love,
Nadia.

Optimism always wins

Dear Optimists,

This blog started out because of a whiner who always looked on the negative side of life. Every time there was something wrong in this person’s life you’d find her online complaining to her friend in the US. He’d listen, nod and let her finish – then twist her pessimism into optimism.

One day he said to her, “There are a lot of people out there who tend to focus on the negative things in life – I wish we could change that.” 30 minutes later ‘Dear Optimists’ was born.

And it has changed me (the whiner!). I can’t stop thinking of positive stories I want to share with you. I can’t stop drawing these silly illustrations, because I know that they make you smile.

I used to hate it when people said, “Look on the bright side!” whenever I shared something – now I want to hug them for reminding me.

Love,
Nadia.