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anticipate the worst

chiquimonkeychiquimonkey Posts: 9,337
edited May 2008 in All Encompassing Trip
and be pleasantly surprised if all goes well.

is it a defensive mechanism? pessimism? self-fulfilling? stupid? all the above? lol

i do it sometimes. but i wonder if it does me any good really. i'm not pessimistic by nature overall, just for certain things, my brain tends to go in the darkest scenario.

just curious on people's take on it.
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  • pearljamjenpearljamjen Posts: 13,578
    Actually, I find that if I expect the worst, I end up pleasantly surprised as it doesn't turn out as bad as I thought it would. And that makes me happy. :)
  • Rhinocerous SurpriseRhinocerous Surprise Posts: 4,423
    I'm pretty much the same. The world sucks unless proven otherwise. :p
    Smokey Robinson constantly looks like he's trying to act natural after being accused of farting.
  • Solat13Solat13 Posts: 6,996
    I call the syndrome being a pessimistic optimist. I suffer from it as well. ;)
    - Busted down the pretext
    - 8/28/98
    - 9/2/00
    - 4/28/03, 5/3/03, 7/3/03, 7/5/03, 7/6/03, 7/9/03, 7/11/03, 7/12/03, 7/14/03
    - 9/28/04, 9/29/04, 10/1/04, 10/2/04
    - 9/11/05, 9/12/05, 9/13/05, 9/30/05, 10/1/05, 10/3/05
    - 5/12/06, 5/13/06, 5/27/06, 5/28/06, 5/30/06, 6/1/06, 6/3/06, 6/23/06, 7/22/06, 7/23/06, 12/2/06, 12/9/06
    - 8/2/07, 8/5/07
    - 6/19/08, 6/20/08, 6/22/08, 6/24/08, 6/25/08, 6/27/08, 6/28/08, 6/30/08, 7/1/08
    - 8/23/09, 8/24/09, 9/21/09, 9/22/09, 10/27/09, 10/28/09, 10/30/09, 10/31/09
    - 5/15/10, 5/17/10, 5/18/10, 5/20/10, 5/21/10, 10/23/10, 10/24/10
    - 9/11/11, 9/12/11
    - 10/18/13, 10/21/13, 10/22/13, 11/30/13, 12/4/13
  • Get_RightGet_Right Posts: 13,304
    same here, generally
    expect the worst, when something else happens you are psyched
  • Slip KidSlip Kid Posts: 1,175
    Get_Right wrote:
    same here, generally
    expect the worst, when something else happens you are psyched

    pretty much
    I just don't trust anything that bleeds for five days and doesn't die.
  • BlancheBlanche Posts: 247
    Expect the best, get kicked in the teeth.
    Expect the worst, emerge smiling with teeth intact.
  • normnorm Posts: 31,146
    chiquimonkey wrote:
    and be pleasantly surprised if all goes well.

    is it a defensive mechanism? pessimism? self-fulfilling? stupid? all the above? lol

    i do it sometimes. but i wonder if it does me any good really. i'm not pessimistic by nature overall, just for certain things, my brain tends to go in the darkest scenario.

    just curious on people's take on it.


    i've always been a huge pessimist.....it's only been the last couple years where i've tried to not think the worst.....

    but

    i'd always thought the worst so when whatever turns out bad i'm not disappointed....and there is more joy when my expectations are exceeded :)
  • decides2dreamdecides2dream Posts: 14,977
    chiquimonkey wrote:
    and be pleasantly surprised if all goes well.

    is it a defensive mechanism? pessimism? self-fulfilling? stupid? all the above? lol

    i do it sometimes. but i wonder if it does me any good really. i'm not pessimistic by nature overall, just for certain things, my brain tends to go in the darkest scenario.

    just curious on people's take on it.


    sounds like my husband. altho i would classify him as a pessimist. he's a LOT better than he used to be, but yes....sure...still thinks like that absolutely. i just think it's all how your brain is wired, instinctive. not my modis operandi though, i am usually thinking the best...although definitely depends on the situation. some things you can't help but 'prepare for the worst'...and hope to be pleasantly surprised. :)
    Stay with me...
    Let's just breathe...


    I am myself like you somehow


  • chiquimonkeychiquimonkey Posts: 9,337
    good to know i'm not the only one :)

    i like optimistic pessimist lol

    i guess i'm just guarding myself, and yet i don't want to turn into a total pessimist, just cuz it seems to extinguish hope in a way. sometimes i wish i didn't think like that just cuz it gets me into a worrying fit. bah.

    thanks for the replies, just one of a billion thoughts rolling around in the ol' coconut
  • Slip KidSlip Kid Posts: 1,175
    chiquimonkey wrote:
    good to know i'm not the only one :)

    i like optimistic pessimist lol

    i guess i'm just guarding myself, and yet i don't want to turn into a total pessimist, just cuz it seems to extinguish hope in a way. sometimes i wish i didn't think like that just cuz it gets me into a worrying fit. bah.

    thanks for the replies, just one of a billion thoughts rolling around in the ol' coconut

    where my stickers!! :)

    I hope everything works out for you b'
    I just don't trust anything that bleeds for five days and doesn't die.
  • audiodaveaudiodave Posts: 1,623
    chiquimonkey wrote:
    and be pleasantly surprised if all goes well.

    is it a defensive mechanism? pessimism? self-fulfilling? stupid? all the above? lol

    i do it sometimes. but i wonder if it does me any good really. i'm not pessimistic by nature overall, just for certain things, my brain tends to go in the darkest scenario.

    just curious on people's take on it.
    This is what I tell people is my take on life, as it used to be. Over the past few years, it's been changing though. Things have happened, good and bad, to change my perspective on things.

    I think now i'm more into not really expecting anything, and dealing with whatever comes my way as best I can, whether it be good or bad. And very recently, i've even started looking at SOME things optimistically, but that's someone else's doing. :)
    ~AKA Dave-of-the-dead~

    I don't wanna think, I wanna feel

    Dublin 23/08/06 Lisbon I 04/09/06 Lisbon II 05/09/06 Paris 11/09/06 Verona 16/09/06

    London 18/06/07 Dusseldorf 21/06/07 Copenhagen 26/06/07 Nijmegen 28/06/07
  • chiquimonkeychiquimonkey Posts: 9,337
    Slip Kid wrote:
    where my stickers!! :)

    I hope everything works out for you b'
    they're going out tomorrow at the rate today is going :)

    and thanks, i hope so too.
  • chiquimonkeychiquimonkey Posts: 9,337
    audiodave wrote:
    This is what I tell people is my take on life, as it used to be. Over the past few years, it's been changing though. Things have happened, good and bad, to change my perspective on things.

    I think now i'm more into not really expecting anything, and dealing with whatever comes my way as best I can, whether it be good or bad. And very recently, i've even started looking at SOME things optimistically, but that's someone else's doing. :)
    i guess that's the part i am hung up on, not anticipating or expecting? like i have to have some scenario either way in my head? maybe i'm just messed up....that's probably it lol

    but yeah, to leave myself either option and not think in either direction, good or bad, that's the thing i'm stuck on i guess.

    i'd rather be optimistic, seems more of a fight to stay in that space. a good fight though
  • Slip KidSlip Kid Posts: 1,175
    chiquimonkey wrote:
    they're going out tomorrow at the rate today is going :)

    and thanks, i hope so too.

    Hang in there kiddo, don't worry bout the stickers it's not a high priority i get them.. just bustin your balls is all
    I just don't trust anything that bleeds for five days and doesn't die.
  • chiquimonkeychiquimonkey Posts: 9,337
    Slip Kid wrote:
    Hang in there kiddo, don't worry bout the stickers it's not a high priority i get them.. just bustin your balls is all
    i know. i have no balls, but anywhoo lol
  • CollinCollin Posts: 4,931
    I try to be as realistic as possible. But when it's something really important, something close to my heart I usually anticipate the worst.
    THANK YOU, LOSTDAWG!


    naděje umírá poslední
  • chiquimonkeychiquimonkey Posts: 9,337
    Collin wrote:
    I try to be as realistic as possible. But when it's something really important, something close to my heart I usually anticipate the worst.
    yeah there is definitely that distinction....the closer and more important it is, the worse my idea of 'worst' gets :/
  • AbookamongstthemanyAbookamongstthemany Posts: 8,209
    I try to always think and hope for the best unless I know I could get hurt. Then I find I'm a bit more protective of my heart. :o
    If you want to tell people the truth, make them laugh, otherwise they'll kill you.

    Man is least himself when he talks in his own person. Give him a mask, and he will tell you the truth.
    -Oscar Wilde
  • Slip KidSlip Kid Posts: 1,175
    chiquimonkey wrote:
    i know. i have no balls, but anywhoo lol

    We have something in common then ;)
    I just don't trust anything that bleeds for five days and doesn't die.
  • chiquimonkeychiquimonkey Posts: 9,337
    Slip Kid wrote:
    We have something in common then ;)
    um, okay :confused: haha

    abook, yeah that's precisely where my head's at....it's like a protective mechanism, but i'm questioning just how much protection it really gives?
  • Slip KidSlip Kid Posts: 1,175
    hahah... oi
    I just don't trust anything that bleeds for five days and doesn't die.
  • Rhinocerous SurpriseRhinocerous Surprise Posts: 4,423
    chiquimonkey wrote:
    um, okay :confused: haha

    abook, yeah that's precisely where my head's at....it's like a protective mechanism, but i'm questioning just how much protection it really gives?

    Not as much as we ever hope, unfortunately. :o Sometimes, the only thing that can save you is a harsh, unyielding, obnoxious determination to laugh at everything that happens to you, good or bad. :)
    Smokey Robinson constantly looks like he's trying to act natural after being accused of farting.
  • JeanieJeanie Posts: 9,446
    Optimistic-Pessimistic Realist here chiq!! :D

    I do the same love and on the odd occasion when I've made the mistake of remaining optimistic in the wrong circumstances I've always lived to regret it more than normal. :o

    So now I tread very carefully. Usually go with being open to all possibilities and aware that if shit's gonna happen it'll happen to me, but that if I stay calm and try to remain happy regardless I can stop it from sticking. :p
    NOPE!!!

    *~You're IT Bert!~*

    Hold on to the thread
    The currents will shift
  • chiquimonkeychiquimonkey Posts: 9,337
    Rhinocerous Surprise wrote:
    Not as much as we ever hope, unfortunately. :o Sometimes, the only thing that can save you is a harsh, unyielding, obnoxious determination to laugh at everything that happens to you, good or bad. :)
    well i am determined, just a matter of not being determined enough to not allow myself to slip into a bad place. i'll have to add obnoxious to the mix lol

    same here jeanie, optimistic pessimistic realist sounds about right for me too!
  • JeanieJeanie Posts: 9,446
    chiquimonkey wrote:
    same here jeanie, optimistic pessimistic realist sounds about right for me too!

    Yep! :D The glass is not half empty and it's not half full, it's just half a glass of fluid. :p
    NOPE!!!

    *~You're IT Bert!~*

    Hold on to the thread
    The currents will shift
  • chiquimonkeychiquimonkey Posts: 9,337
    Jeanie wrote:
    Yep! :D The glass is not half empty and it's not half full, it's just half a glass of fluid. :p
    at this point i only care about the glass if it has some fucking booze in it lol
  • normnorm Posts: 31,146
    Jeanie wrote:
    Yep! :D The glass is not half empty and it's not half full, it's just half a glass of fluid. :p


    you have words taken from my mouth....;) :D
  • JeanieJeanie Posts: 9,446
    chiquimonkey wrote:
    at this point i only care about the glass if it has some fucking booze in it lol

    Fark!!! :p Now we're really getting existential!! :p

    Okey!! Half a glass of hard liquor for chic!! :)

    Cheers big ears!!! :) **raises a toast**
    NOPE!!!

    *~You're IT Bert!~*

    Hold on to the thread
    The currents will shift
  • chiquimonkeychiquimonkey Posts: 9,337
    Jeanie wrote:
    Fark!!! :p Now we're really getting existential!! :p

    Okey!! Half a glass of hard liquor for chic!! :)

    Cheers big ears!!! :) **raises a toast**
    cheers doll!

    maybe this is my problem, i'm not drinking enough lol
  • JeanieJeanie Posts: 9,446
    cutback wrote:
    you have words taken from my mouth....;) :D

    Half a glass of hard liquor for you too my friend!! :)

    Cheers big ears!! :) **raises a toast to cb and chic**
    NOPE!!!

    *~You're IT Bert!~*

    Hold on to the thread
    The currents will shift
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