Where Has She Been?
Someone has been missing from my Emotional Cartography for quite a while.
Not gone.
Just… quiet.
I thought Lady Optimism had disappeared.
It turns out she was simply waiting for me to hear her again.
More Than Positive Thinking
While her name seems mythical by nature, Lady Optimism isn’t the same thing as the Power of Positive Thinking. She isn’t the sort of person who insists everything is awesome all the time.
Instead, she sees the world as it is. Problems are real. Setbacks happen. But possibilities are real too.
Her knowledge about potential possibilities is her greatest strength. Her favourite question to ask me is, “What if this works?”
Lady Optimism doesn’t promise that tomorrow will be better. She simply reminds me that tomorrow hasn’t been written yet.
A Different Situation
It all started yesterday. I received a cold outreach from an HR person expressing interest in me filling a specific role for a specific business. I was surprised, as I’ve never had someone contact me before for a job posting. After sending over my resume, she responded quickly with an interview to be held Friday (the next day!)
I excitedly wrote my career coaches with this news and asked for some advice on interviewing. One of them offered to do a mock interview with me over the phone… It didn’t go well.
I think because they reached out to me, I had no idea what was expected from me or why this company was interested in me. After relaxing a bit by continuing my Marvel Timeline watch with Thor: Love and Thunder, I decided to find the job posting and make notes about what the job entails.
Then I heard a familiar whisper.
“You can do this, SuperMell.”
It stopped me in my tracks.
I hadn’t realized how much I’d missed her voice.
A Different Voice
After kicking off my blankets because it was super hot last night, I managed to get a decent amount of sleep. I woke up and received a call from my other job coach for words of encouragement and helpful tips. This was helpful. I spent the remaining time reviewing my notes and went over my resume.
The interview started off a little rough, because of nerves. But I suddenly found myself relaxed and started answering honestly and earnestly about everything they asked me. Questions ranged from “how do you handle mistakes”, to “how do you handle conflict in the workplace.” Every answer I gave built on the last, and I used real examples of how I handled things. The more I focused on the conversation instead of my nerves, the quieter Dr. Anxiety became.
Something else interesting happened. I found myself intrigued by this newly expanding business under new management. The potential to help it grow became very exciting to me. I found myself even giving new decorating tips based on their logo, and even suggested they might want to expand their business to also offer web design in the future.
They were already talking to me by this point like I had the job. The only thing was to send over some references, which I did when I got home.
Lady Optimism was beaming with a smile so dazzling I felt like doing a little happy dance when I left the interview. You nailed it, SuperMell!
Her Quiet Superpower
Lady Optimism may seem quiet, but she’s a powerful introvert. She’s almost the antithesis of Dr. Anxiety. While she asks what if it works, his response is to throw his hands in the air in exasperation and exclaim, “SOMETHING WILL GO WRONG! IT ALWAYS DOES!” They rarely see eye to eye.
Dr. Anxiety predicts danger. Lady Optimism imagines possibility. Neither knows the future.
Lady Optimism doesn’t erase fear. She simply reminds me that fear isn’t the only possible outcome.
Between you and me, I much prefer the company of Lady Optimism. While I appreciate everything Dr. Anxiety does to help, sometimes listening to his fears is mentally exhausting.
Why She Went Quiet
The thing is… Lady Optimism never disappears. It’s just difficult to hear her over some of the other, much louder emotional cartography characters.
When something unexpected happens — like losing my last job, for instance — the others start chiming in with their tidbits of advice, which at times is helpful. The problem is they are so damned loud. Lady Optimism will be hovering in the crowded room, trying to be seen, but finds herself pushed aside by some of these other characters.
But she’s always here. Sometimes I might even catch a glimpse of her wandering in the background, giving her customary smirk and wink at the exasperated outbursts from the others. She honestly has helped me find the courage to keep on keeping on.
That’s her superpower. She never leaves. She’s always around.
What Lady Optimism Actually Says
After the very positive interview experience I had today, I could hear her more clearly above all the others.
This looks like it could be a wonderful opportunity.
You can use the skills you already have, and grow on skills you don’t. They encourage learning and adapting.
Besides, they really liked you! They almost offered you the job right away to start next week before remembering to ask for references.
And…
They reached out to you first! They already thought you were an interesting candidate for the position.
Really. She’s great.
Her Voice
Dr. Anxiety: “Don’t get your hopes up.”
Lady Optimism: “Don’t give up your hopes either.”
Dr. Anxiety: “You’ll probably fail.”
Lady Optimism: “You might surprise yourself.”
Dr. Anxiety: “You’re not ready.”
Lady Optimism: “You’ll learn.”
Which one would you prefer to listen to after an interview?
Diana’s Optimism
Cats are wonderfully optimistic.
One cupboard might contain food.
The next paper bag could hide a grand adventure.
And every sunny patch is absolutely worth investigating.
Diana assumes good things are possible… Until proven otherwise.
Final Thought: Welcome Back
Hope isn’t confidence that everything will work out. It’s the willingness to believe that something good is still possible.
Lady Optimism doesn’t promise happy endings. She simply reminds me that possibilities deserve a voice too.
Dr. Anxiety still gets his say.
Lady Optimism simply reminds me that he isn’t the only one allowed to speak.
What is giving you optimism right now?
Discover more from Mell D'Clute
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
