Optimist and Pessimist: Do They Make a Good Pair?

Tright here’s a motive why TV comedy couple Andy Dwyer and April Ludgate on Parks and Recreation took the web by storm within the 2010s. Andy, performed by Guardians of the Galaxy actor Chris Pratt, was a goofy idealist who liked to look on the intense facet. In the meantime April—who’s performed by White Lotus’Aubrey Plaza—was a sarcastic, brooding cynic who liked to play satan’s advocate.

The couple’s ‘golden retriever boyfriend and black cat girlfriend’ relationship trope performed out hilariously on digital camera, and regardless of their opposing outlooks on life, they balanced one another out. April, ever the pessimist, helped maintain Andy grounded in actuality. Optimist Andy, then again, helped April see the silver linings in occasions of stress (bear in mind when she unintentionally deleted each file on the parks and recreation server?).

How nicely does this relationship dynamic play out IRL, although? Can optimists and pessimists get alongside romantically off-script?

Why an optimist and a pessimist can work in a relationship

In keeping with intercourse therapist, {couples} counselor, and relationship coach Lyndsey Murray, LPC, they completely can.

The Relationship Issues Remedy founder says that optimists and pessimists can supply new, beneficial views to their companions and assist one another make well-informed choices.

“They will carry out the most effective in one another in a singular approach,” says Murray. “Generally optimists might be overly optimistic, and possibly aren’t noticing the pitfalls of their plan. That is the place a pessimist can carry them again right down to actuality a bit.”

Alternatively, Murray says, optimists can reassure pessimists {that a} sticky scenario isn’t precisely the tip of the world.

The steadiness optimists and pessimists must strike in relationships

The optimist-and-pessimist relationship dynamic is a fragile balancing act. Bother, Murray says, can come up when one companion persistently challenges the opposite’s issues or sources of happiness.

“Every time somebody’s pessimism or optimism seems like a dismissal of the opposite individual, that is the place it could really feel poisonous or draining,” says Murray.

Optimists must keep away from poisonous positivity

Optimists want to at all times see the great in unhealthy conditions and supply silver linings to family members going via a tough time. Whereas that is commendable, telling your companion to look on the intense facet of a crappy scenario can reduce their emotions for those who lack empathy and consciousness.

“Poisonous positivity could make you’re feeling ashamed of feeling unhealthy about one thing,” says Murray. “The message is that you simply should not really feel unhealthy, that that you must recover from it. If that is at all times the dynamic, the one who’s extra pessimistic is ultimately going to cease coming to you.”

Being aware of what your companion is asking for in a second of want—recommendation or simply an ear to pay attention—will help you guarantee they really feel seen once they flip to your for assist or consolation.

Pessimists must avoid defeatism

Frankly, no one likes a celebration pooper. Pessimists are inclined to dwell on the damaging “what ifs” of a future occasion. This sense of foreboding can carry an optimist down, particularly once they’re enthusiastic about an upcoming occasion, says Murray. So pessimists must aware that they aren’t treading into persistent defeatism territory—perception that issues will take a flip for the more serious—which might really feel like a dismissal of the optimistic companion’s pleasure.

“To illustrate an optimist is admittedly excited for one thing, and a pessimist does not share that pleasure, like in any respect,” says Murray. “They arrive to the desk with all of the the explanation why it’s a foul thought, why it is not gonna work. That may really feel very dismissive.”

Until your optimistic companion asks to your recommendation, particularly asks you to assist them see any potential downsides of what they’re doing, or is in some way in hurt’s approach—it’s greatest to maintain your reservations to your self and allow them to have their enjoyable.

What optimists and pessimists want in Order to thrive in a relationship

In keeping with Murray, fostering a cheerful, wholesome relationship between an optimist and a pessimist might be made simpler by establishing the next two habits.

1. Get curious concerning the different individual’s perspective

It’s possible you’ll by no means share your companion’s opinion on whether or not the glass is half full or half empty, and that’s okay. Murray says you possibly can nonetheless attain a spot of mutual respect and understanding.

To do that, Murray advises optimists and pessimists to placed on their detective hats and “get curious” about their companion’s POV.

“To be able to construct a wholesome relationship fashioned round mutual understanding, each events must be interested by why their companion thinks a sure approach,” says Murray. “Ask them why. Ask them what makes them excited. Ask them about what has them feeling negatively. You do not essentially must agree, and that’s high-quality. However for those who’re curious, it tells your companion that you simply’re at the least in what they must say. And that curiosity is a key to a long-lasting relationship for anybody.”

2. Construct emotional belief

Establishing mutual understanding of one another’s worldview can strengthen the belief between an optimist and pessimist. Displaying that you simply’re within the “why” behind their views exhibits your companion that their ideas and emotions will likely be listened to and validated. This sort of emotional belief, Murray says, is essential for an extended relationship between an optimist and a pessimist.

This belief, says Murray, will help and optimist and a pessimist really feel united—even once they butt heads.

“It seems like this individual is on my facet,” says Murray, “they usually’ve acquired my again.”