People always tell you to "look on the bright side" and "think happy thoughts," but for some of us, that kind of stuff isn't always easy or even necessary. As a self-proclaimed pessimist/realist, I've decided to clear the air about people like me. Maybe everything isn't always sunshine and rainbows, but sometimes that's better in the long run. Here are some reasons why I enjoy being a pessimist, with interjections by one of the most famous and awesome pessimists of all.

1. Your expectations are usually met or exceeded.

Because you already had low expectations, it's not hard for everything to always meet them. If you just expect that today isn't going to be the best day ever, you are either always right or pleasantly surprised. Waking up thinking that everything is going to be awesome just makes it harder when it turns out to be a complete drag. This way, you always win.

2. It's fun to make fun of extremely cheerful people.

Yeah, sure, making fun of people is mean. But, seriously? Why does it always seem like everyone lives in a Disney movie? (The ending, of course, not the beginning where the parents are dead and everything is sad for about 15-minutes). It's much easier for pessimists to deal with cheerful people because we can just make fun of their ignorance-is-bliss attitude and feel like we won a prize when something goes wrong for them. The best part? Optimists like this are barely ever phased by your snarky comments. They hear good things instead, so you're always off the hook.

3. People learn to leave you to your strange form of happiness after a while.

After years of learning what you're like, the rare people you do love, like your family and friends, learn that leaving you to do your own thing is the best way to not annoy you. Yes, of course, there are times when you want to hang out and see movies with friends, but also, sometimes you just want to sit home and judge everyone and everything silently. And the better people get to know you, the more they understand this and leave you alone. So it's a win-win.

4. You don't usually like normal hang-out spots, which make your spots more awesome.

Most people want to go camping and picnic-ing in nature with fresh air. (Wow, that sentence made me gag a little bit). But, as a pessimist, you know that these places are actually just optimal areas to get sunburns and bug bites and allergy attacks. Personally, you prefer indoor places or nighttime, when it's cool out and the bugs are gone. Sure, the beach always sounds like a good idea, but you know that the sand will and always does get everywhere, no matter how hard you try. And the water is always freezing no matter how hot it is. These places seem good in theory, but you'd rather stick to places that you know won't disappoint you.

5. Your language of sarcasm is inherently funny.

Whether you're actually telling the truth or making a joke at someone else's expense, the things you say tend to be funny to other people. Granted, you might be being serious and passing it off as sarcasm, but people don't need to know that if you don't want them to. Humor is normally making fun of people, places and things, and that's what you do best. Again, another win-win.

6. Feelings don't usually end up ruining your life.

You're not the kind of person to sit at home after a break-up and eat the entire carton of ice cream. You bounce back because you never had the crazy expectations for a fairytale ending, anyway. You understand that, realistically, people grow apart throughout life and people pass away. It's not malicious or completely unfeeling, it's just acceptance and understanding. You learn to be okay with these situations and let them just be instead of fighting to keep relationships that aren't working. This way, less people end up hurt.

7. Still, when you do catch feelings,it's weird and wonderful.

You don't love everyone, so when you find a friend or partner that understands your way of life, it can be an awesome feeling. Your group of friends is small and intimate. They don't always have to be pessimists like you, but you all get along in a great and fun way. It's easier to have a more meaningful relationship because you have less people to deal with. Your energy is spent on the rare important people in your life and you have a better time with one or two friends than you would in a big group.

So, if you're a fellow pessimist, embrace it! It's not as terrible as people think. On the outside, you might seem cold and crass, but it's your own way of protecting yourself and having a little bit of fun at other's expense. Still, deep down under that April Ludgate exterior, you know you're just waiting for the right kind of people to find the warm and fuzzy spots that you try to hide so well.