Tragic Optimism in Turbulent Times

Tragic optimism, a concept developed by Viktor Frankl, is about discovering that although life will inevitably contain suffering, you can still find meaning in your experiences and choose how you respond to your circumstances. Frankl, who survived the horrors of Nazi concentration camps, emphasized that the search for meaning in life can help a person navigate through suffering, uncertainty, and even despair. 

In our current world, there are varying levels of uncertainty, grave concern, and fear. I have been talking with folks from many countries, and it is challenging to find a conversation in which the world’s events—political division, rise in authoritarianism, climate change, oppression, and other myriad events—aren’t at the top of people's minds. I have been in a state of unrest as well. I find sleep a little more challenging these days and have learned that my job at VA is at risk. How do we keep hope in this context? It’s hard, but I was thinking about how slipping into despair or hiding out may not be the best way to approach the situation. I had been doing some soul-searching and then accidentally came across the concept of tragic optimism – this seemed perfect for what I needed, and if you are one of those people worried about the state of the world, I hope you find it helpful as well. The practice here is to embrace life’s challenges with the understanding that suffering is not meaningless. Instead, suffering can lead to personal growth, deeper self-awareness, and a stronger sense of purpose.

There are a few things to consider when engaging in tragic optimism. If suffering is inevitable, it can provide a path to meaning rather than being solely a source of anguish. As we endure, we can seek meaning, tying it to our actions, relationships, and daily purpose. It is important to stay connected to freedom of choice, remembering that it allows us to “move with our feet” in ways that retain and instantiate personal responsibility. In taking these steps, we can cultivate resilience, find hope, and even grow inside of difficulty. Importantly, this is not about denying or avoiding but about choosing to respond in ways that align with your values. 

Here are a few tips to assist with the process of tragic optimism: 

1. Acknowledge and open up to the pain of uncertainty, fear, and anger – don’t resign but step toward your own experience, recognizing your humanness. 

2. Reflect on the challenges you are facing at this time—don’t let helplessness be your guide, but instead consider the values you might find inside of these challenges (e.g., connection with community, activism, contribution, etc.).

3. While we cannot control everything that is happening, we can control what we do. Cultivate your ability to respond (offer empathy to others, join a group that is trying to make healthy change, write letters, stay connected, etc.). Taking individual response-ability will help create purpose. 

4. Practice gratitude, even though it might be difficult. Finding gratitude, even in small moments, can cultivate a sense of hope. For instance, I was once told a story by an ex-prisoner of war that while interned, they had very little food (he had lost more than 30% of his body weight), and two of his friends in the same camp offered him their food on his birthday – a single cracker with jelly spread on top. Even the smallest of actions can contain large doses of gratefulness. 

5. Focus on connecting with others. Our relationships matter, and joining others contributes to the well-being of all. 

6. Use challenges as opportunities to learn more about yourself. Be reflective. 

Personal Reflection: A Journey of Developing Tragic Optimism

Many of you have heard me say, “Kill your hopes and dreams” as a way to free yourself from constructed futures that limit flexibility. I would still endorse this process. Yet, I also encourage you to consider hope an active rather than passive experience. If you look into the future, see what you would like to hold – then take action to make that hope come alive.

I invite you to consider a few questions: How have I learned or grown from past difficult, uncertain, or suffering experiences? How can I find meaning in moments of loss or disappointment? In the face of uncertainty, what is within my control that I can take responsibility for? How can I turn the challenges of this time into an opportunity for discovery?

In answering these questions, whatever you discover, I invite you to move – life from the feet up.  

ACT Micro Practices:

Get Present: Sit in a comfortable position, free from distractions. Take a few deep breaths to settle into the present moment.

Recall: Think of a significant difficulty or challenge you’ve faced in the past or are currently facing. This could be something small or large, personal or professional.

Acknowledge: Let yourself connect to the emotions associated with this challenge. What do you carry in this experience? See if you can open up to and say “yes” to this humanness. 

Ask: “What meaning can I find in this experience?” 

Reflect: With this meaning in mind, what is one choice you can take to bring that meaning to life? How can I carry this into my future? 

Conclude: Find one thing you are grateful for and offer silent gratitude for that thing. 

Write about this experience if you choose. 

Research Spotlight: Continuing With the Theme

The word Eudaimonic comes from the Greek word eudaimonia, which can be translated as “flourishing” or “living in accordance with one’s true self and purpose.” In psychology and philosophy, eudaimonic well-being refers to a more profound sense of fulfillment that comes from meaning, purpose, and personal growth rather than just pleasure or happiness.

Here are a couple of articles exploring this concept. 

• Ryff, C. D., & Singer, B. H. (2008). Know thyself and become what you are: A eudaimonic approach to psychological well-being. Journal of happiness studies, 9, 13-39. https://thefpr.org/wp-content/uploads/ryff_eudaimonia.pdf

• Steger, M. F., Shin, J. Y., Shim, Y., & Fitch-Martin, A. (2013). Is meaning in life a flagship indicator of well-being? In A. S. Waterman (Ed.), The best within us: Positive psychology perspectives on eudaimonia (pp. 159–182). American Psychological Association.  https://doi.org/10.1037/14092-009
  

FREE ONLINE GATHERING - WORLDWIDE ACCESS

Join Manuela O'Connell, Russell Kolts, and myself as we work towards cultivating compassion, values, and hope in an uncertain world

Date: Tuesday, April 29, 2025
Time: 12:00 – 2:00 PM Pacific Time
Platform: Zoom

• Join Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81909040834?pwd=BIzLIMaSVf19tnefbbt0Gtal1lWlpT.1

• Meeting ID: 819 0904 0834

• Passcode: 979045

• International Numbers: Find your local number
  

Events and Resources: 

Go here to get a guided imagery exercise called: We are all in this together. 

Upcoming Trainings: 

ACT BootCamp in Denver, Colorado, May 1-4., 2020

ACT Boldly: Advanced Process-Based Workshop, San Francisco, May 9-10, 2025

ACT BootCamp in Utrecht (near Amsterdam), Netherlands, September 25-28, 2025

ACT Retreat on Zanzibar, Tanzania, January 17 - 24 January, 2025.