Optimism Quotes To Brighten Your Day

Medically reviewed by Andrea Brant, LMHC
Updated October 15, 2024by BetterHelp Editorial Team

Optimism is a unique perspective that views the world, people, and situations from a positive and hopeful lens. It can involve believing that one’s goals will be obtained, despite or alongside the evidence. 

Some people who use optimism as a lifestyle practice may feel a sense that they are mentally equipped to cope with change mentally, make positive life changes, and look forseek new avenues of support and enjoyment after the upon the end of others. Connecting with optimistic quotes is one way to practice optimism and can remind yourself of the potential benefits of doing so. 

Getty/Halfpoint Images
It’s possible to adopt a more optimistic perspective on life

What is optimism?

According to the American Psychological Association (APA), optimism is connected to a sense of hopefulness.

Optimistic people may anticipate positive results in life situations and experience perseverance through challenging moments.

Optimism is often considered the opposite of pessimism, which is a belief tendency to focus on assuming the worst about things, including the future instead of offering room for hope and change. 

What are the benefits of optimism?

There have been several studied benefits of optimism. In 2008, Harvard Health reported that optimism is significantly linked to mental and physical health benefits. It claims that some studies have associated optimism with reductions in the following risks or phenomena: 

  • Re-hospitalization after cardiac surgery.
  • High blood pressure.
  • Heart disease.
  • Infection.
  • Mortality rate 
  • Depression, anxiety, and stress.

Some may consider Although it may feel optimism to be naiïve or like you’re “lying to yourself” when you strive to be more optimistic, being optimistic, hopeful, and open-minded isn’t associated with the harmful outcomes linked to pessimism.

Optimism quotes to brighten your day

If you want to practice more optimism in your life, one way to do so is by reading or sharing optimistic quotes. You don’t have to experience something adverse to start practicing optimism. Below are some quotes that can help you cultivate a more positive outlook and approach to life. 

Optimism quotes on mental health

If you or someone you know is experiencing difficulties with their mental health, below are optimistic, hopeful, and inspiring quotes about mental health and mental illness if you’re having difficulties with your mental health or love someone who illness.: 

  • “What mental health needs is more sunlight, more candor, and more unashamed conversation.” —–Glenn Close 
  • “There is hope, even when your brain tells you there isn’t.” —–John Green
  • “The most beautiful people we have known are those who have known defeat, suffering, struggle, and loss and have found their way out of the depths. These persons have an appreciation, sensitivity, and an understanding of life that fills them with compassion, gentleness, and a deep loving concern. Beautiful people do not ‘just’ happen.” —–Elisabeth Kuübler-Ross
  • “My dark days made me stronger—Or maybe I already was strong, and they made me prove it.” —–Emery Lord
  • “Deep in your wounds are seeds, waiting to grow beautiful flowers.” —Niti Majethia 
  • “We cannot be more sensitive to pleasure without being more sensitive to pain.” —Alan Watts 
  • “Every story I create creates me. I write to create myself.” –Octavia E. Butler 
  • “The way I see it, if you want the rainbow, you’ve got to put up with the rain.” —–Dolly Parton 

Optimism quotes for relationships

Optimism isn’t only for individuals; —couples may also benefit. One study found that optimism has direct links to long-term marital satisfaction. Below are a few quotes to inspire optimism in your relationship.: 

  • “Being optimistic in life is knowing love guides every step.” —–Harold W. Becker
  • “We cannot be more sensitive to pleasure without being more sensitive to pain.” –Alan Watts 
  • “Deep in your wounds are seeds, waiting to grow beautiful flowers.” –Niti Majethia 
  • “No road is too long with good company.” —–Turkish Proverb 
  • “Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around.” —–Leo Buscaglia 
  • “Let us be grateful to the people who make us happy; they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom.” —–Marcel Proust 
Getty/AnnaStills

Funny optimism quotes

Laughter has been associated with a reduction of stress, which may pave the way for more optimism and appreciation. Below are a few funny optimistic quotes to laugh about.: 

  • “When life gives you lemons, keep them, because, —hey—, free lemons!” —–Unknown 
  • “I was reminded that my blood type is ‘be positive.’” —–Unknown 
  • “If you think you are too small to make a difference, try sleeping with a mosquito.” – —Dalai Lama
  • “A diamond is a lump of coal that did well under pressure.” —–Unknown 
  • “I didn’t fail the test. I just found 100 ways to do it wrong.” —–Benjamin Franklin 
  • “Sometimes, the best part of my job is that my chair swivels.” —–Unknown 

Optimism quotes by celebrities

Looking up to people you admire can be a fun way to receive daily optimism. A single moment of your day reading through these quotes may inspire a change of attitude. Below are a few quotes attributed to well-known celebrities.:

  • “There are no regrets in life. Just lessons.” — –Jennifer Aniston 
  • “Life is very interesting.… In the end, some of your greatest pains become your greatest strengths.” —–Drew Barrymore 
  • “We all keep dreaming, and luckily, dreams really do come true.” —–Katie Holmes
  • “I’ve always been famous; it’s just [that] no one knew it yet.” —–Lady Gaga 
  • “We must accept finite disappointment but never lose infinite hope.” —–Martin Luther King, Jr. 
  • “Hope is the thing with feathers that perches in the soul and sings the tune without the words and never stops at all.” —–Emily Dickinson
  • “Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow. The important thing is not to stop questioning.” —–Albert Einstein 

General optimism quotes

Below are a few general optimism quotes about the broad topic of optimism.:

  • “Perpetual optimism is a force multiplier.” —–Colin Powell 
  • “My optimism wears heavy boots and is loud.” —–Henry Rollins 
  • “For me, optimism is two lovers walking into the sunset arm in arm. Or maybe into the sunrise—whatever appeals to you.” —–Krzysztof Kieslowski 
  • “My optimism has helped me through some hard times. If you try to send out good things, good things come back to you.” —–Jan Brett 
  • “These days, I wonder more and more why people are pessimistic when American history actually supports optimism.” –Bell Hooks 
  • “In life, an abundance of confidence gives us higher motivation, persistence, and optimism and can allow us to accomplish things we otherwise might not have undertaken [otherwise].” .” —–Whitney Tilson 
  • “Young people have a right to optimism, and rightly so; Human beings have grown and developed and accomplished wonderful feats in the world.” —–Jesmyn Ward 
  • “Have the optimism and romanticism to take unimaginable risks.” –Olivia Wilde 
  • “Children are my favorite people because they inspire me with their optimism and spirit.” —–Dia Mirza

Optimism quotes about pets

For some people, optimism and hope come from their connection with other living beings, including pets. Below are a few pet-related optimism quotes.: 

  • “I think having an animal in your life makes you a better human.” —–Rachael Ray 
  • “Animals [are] one of the most beautiful gifts we have.” —–Alyssa Milano
  • “Animals keep you company when you’re really lonely. It helps because, when you have a friend around who always likes you no matter what, it’s harder to feel bad or down.” — –Aaron Carter
  • “Our task must be to free ourselves… by widening our circle of compassion to embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature and its beauty.” —–Albert Einstein 
  • “Happiness is a warm puppy.” — –Charles Schultz
  • “Money can buy you a fine dog, but only love can make him wag his tail.” –Kinky Friedman 
Caption
It’s possible to adopt a more optimistic perspective on life

Grow your optimism

Optimism is a skill, and like other skills, you can develop it over time. However, some people feel a sense that they face barriers to optimism, such as mental illness, stress, or confusion. If you’re unsure how to get started, you don’t have to leave home to get support. Optimism counseling can be accessed through online platforms like BetterHelp. 

BetterHelp empowers you to connect with an optimistic mental health professional via phone call, video chat, or in-app chat sessions. In addition, you can set your goals upon signing up and get matched with a provider specializing in your specific concerns. You don’t need to have a mental illness to see a therapist, and therapists can help you develop optimism as a skill. 

Studies have also backed up the effectiveness of internet-based interventions. One study found that online mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) could be an adequate replacement for in-person therapy, potentially reducing symptoms of depression and anxiety, which may act as barriers to optimism. 

Takeaway

Finding your new favorite optimism quotes can offer insight into the benefits of optimism and look for hope in challenging situations. Optimism doesn’t necessarily mean rejecting reality; however, it can mean making choices each day to think in new ways that are healthy, hopeful, and enjoyable for you and those around you. 

If you experience challenges with developing optimism in your daily life or want to learn more about developing this skill, you can also consider contacting a licensed counselor via BetterHelp via BetterHelp. Many counselors are well-versed in optimism, mindfulness, and similar practices., so you can get started at any time by seeking an online or in-person therapist who meets your needs.

Improve your outlook on life
The information on this page is not intended to be a substitution for diagnosis, treatment, or informed professional advice. You should not take any action or avoid taking any action without consulting with a qualified mental health professional. For more information, please read our terms of use.
Get the support you need from one of our therapistsGet started