“Don’t say it”, I warn to my friend as she once again reminds me that we have only a few weeks of school left. My reaction begins with an initial wave of worry and discomfort but quickly dissipates. I say whatever it takes to ameliorate my stress, not wanting to acknowledge the pain. “Let’s focus on the next few weeks and not think about it,” I quickly retort. And just like that, I subside into the complacent routine of blind optimism.

Any situation seems as simple as either acceptance or avoidance. However, things are not as unequivocal as we perceive. We blindly accept situations without much thought to its implications. Optimism is a wonderful thing, but in some cases it can be our undoing. Albus Dumbledore articulated this phenomenon, “numbing the pain for a while will make it worse when you finally feel it.” Optimism is understood as a way to improve our outlook on a situation, but sometimes it dissimulates the pain. Complying with agony not only helps with acceptance, but with control as well.

Control can be a paradox. Giving into our emotions is seen as weak. By truly acquiescing a situation one chooses the destiny of their emotions and future. Letting go control of emotions, encourages empowerment. While trying to control emotions causes a loss of control over the situation. Cowardly we justify perceptions to distance ourselves from a situation. How far can our perceptions take us?

Situations are decisions. Life is the way it is and that cannot change, but we can change how we react to any situation. With the school year coming to an end, it’s upsetting but that does not correlate to a despondent future. There are so many opportunities ahead to continue preexisting relationships. That is the true distinction between blissful ignorance and optimism. Optimism looks toward the future while ignorance leaves us dwelling in the past. Like the title implies, the end is in there, but it’s not truly the end.