[beigeoak]

I've found that it's possible to very cleanly separate pessimism and optimism while still experiencing both. When I'm with my family or ideating on a new project, optimism is a much better mindset as it allows the mind to wander, create and relax.

When I am in the depths of a project where I have a lot of things that I need to fail at to understand, a negative mindset is more useful.

Maintaining a positive mindset in the face of a multitude of assured failures is possible, but draining. However, a negative mindset, is more engine-like and muddles along, unsurprised by the failures.

Again, this is a purely personal anecdote and I would not recommend adopting a negative mindset to other people.

[jaygray0919]

A variation: (my) self-awareness is defined more by (my) failures than by successes (with the exception of having children). Failure is painful and, in general, rational people seek to avoid pain. But fear/pain - and the absolute certainty that we will experience both - shapes our attitude and behavior. Is it pessimism to expect fear/pain? Is it optimism to seek sex/wealth (greed)? Methinks both are the human condition, and both make life worth living.