Rediscovering Joy in a World Losing Optimism: Leesa Tongoulidis

🎶Rediscovering Joy in a World that is Losing Optimism 🎶
By Leesa Tongoulidis

Recent reports highlight a decline in optimism across Australia and beyond. The work of Victor Perton and The Centre for Optimism here in Australia reminds us that optimism isn’t about signing up to blind positivity…it’s cultivating a belief system that challenges can be overcome.

But with so much uncertainty right now, how do we keep hope alive?

The answer, I believe, lies in re-acquainting ourselves with joy.

Joy is not an indulgence; it’s the very fuel that powers optimism. It gives us back personal agency, the energy to persevere, the courage to act, and the perspective to see ourselves through amidst all the turbulence and challenges. Without it, optimism kind of loses its substance.

Rather than viewing time as the most precious thing, as we are all inclined to do, how might we reframe the conversation:

How are we filling our time?

Are we intentionally creating moments of joy, connection, and meaning? J

oy transforms the mundane into the memorable and makes the future feel worth striving for. Even the smallest, tiniest moments of joy can become a starting point for positive shifts to begin.

Here are a few ideas and reminders to consider as we amp up or perhaps rediscover what joy and optimism looks like this year:

1. Choose Joy Intentionally – Seek small moments of delight, look for a bit of awe or wonder every day.
2. Engage in Service – Giving to others fosters our sense of purpose and connection. Being humble and practicing gratitude for our blessings, however big or small.
3. Practice Awareness – Sit with the world, just as you see it, and feel it right now, not yesterday, not tomorrow. Not to feel guilty, or “less than” but simply to be present and grow some self-compassion.
4. Celebrate Resilience – Find hope in whatever stories of perseverance, progress or people that light you up. Emotions are contagious, as you know!
   
   Optimism thrives when joy takes root. By creating space for joy in our lives, we not only nourish ourselves but also inspire those around us. The world may feel heavy, but it is still full of beauty, potential, and reasons to hope.
   
   By choosing joy, we can recalibrate our collective way of experiencing life and rekindle our belief in creating brighter tomorrows.