Are you a pessimist or an optimist?

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I'm definitely a pessimist and was wondering where other Aspies stand. It's really irritating, but no matter what I've tried, I haven't been able to work around it. I'll be talking with someone about a problem I'm facing and they'll make suggestions. Almost before they're done making the suggestion, I can tell them all the problems with it and can't convince myself the solution is worth it if it requires overcoming those problems. With ideas, people, anything, the first thing I notice are its flaws.

I'm something between an optimistic realist and a realistic optimist myself.

I often tend to realise when things are unsolvable for the moment because I think faster and take more details into consideration than other people.

I do, however, not think that unsolvable at the moment means that the situation is hopeless and will not be solved.

I'm an optimist. Having a positive look on things and a drive to correct problems I feel is a very good trait for an Aspie since I can avoid unnecessary depression and easily solve my own worries fast.

It is not a very helpful mental set to be pessimistic, even if the idea is bad you should keep it to yourself and maybe give some criticism at the end or not at all, since you find leaks and holes in everything you should also think about how tired the person trying to help you is getting of your constant hole poking, frustrating for some who don't give things a second thought.

Next time someone tries to help you out, just listen to the person then change it the way you want or give some ideas after. Don´t go against every proposal 24/7 because people will grow tired of you and they will see it as a waste of energy if they are going to be met by someone ready to shoot everything down.

Optimist, mainly

I've been referred to as a pessimist, but I've always looked at myself as a realist. Reality isn't sugarcoated.

Neither. Realist.

Pessimist mostly

Optimist at the best of times... pessimist at the worst of times...

i am pessimist most of the time

A little from column A, a little from column B.
I try to keep a positive outlook on life though.

Pessimist.

I'm a realist.

I am an optimist. Sometimes to a fault because I often underestimate driving-distances, costs, etc.

OP - Your example of your pessimism is bang-on. You sound like my husband and my mother - to a T. Their first responses are almost always NO or CAN'T or IT WON'T WORK. More often than not, with a little more discussion they change their mind. But their go-to answers are always pessimistic.

I often wonder if this can be changed in a person. I was a little s**t as a youth and very "negative" but even then, I think I was an optimist - because I was so restless and knew something better was waiting for me.

I have tried to change my husband's attitude - but I honestly don't think its possible anymore. He can act perky - but when things get stressful or are unsettled - he falls back to his "Negative Nancy" attitude. (My nickname for him when he gets like that.)