My dog Ophelia is a Bernese Mountain Dog with the sunniest disposition I’ve ever seen. One time, a piece of popcorn rolled under the refrigerator. She’s checked under that fridge every single day since — just in case.
My other dog, Mamba, is a grey Staffordshire Terrier Mix. His attitude is as grey as his fur. I lovingly call him Eeyore. He growls and grumbles at the world, wallows in setbacks, and is generally unimpressed with life’s offerings.
Same house. Same food. Same walks. Completely different explanatory styles.
Ophelia embodies something science actually has a name for — and it turns out, it’s one of the strongest predictors of resilience, motivation, and well-being in humans too.
Most people think optimism is a personality trait. Science says it’s a habit of thought — and you can change it.
Research in positive psychology shows that optimism isn’t about positive thinking or ignoring hard realities. It’s about how you explain events to yourself — what psychologists call your explanatory style.
Pessimistic Style
Internalizes setbacks globally: “I’m just not good at this.”
Deflects credit for wins: “I got lucky.”
Optimistic Style
Takes ownership of success.
Recognizes situational factors behind failure: “That didn’t work this time.”
Here’s what makes this genuinely hopeful: explanatory style is learned, which means it can be unlearned.
Awareness is step one. When something goes wrong this week, notice the story you tell yourself. Is it permanent or temporary? All-encompassing or contained? A character flaw or a circumstance?
What’s one story you’ve been telling yourself that might deserve a rewrite?