I believe many of us who worry about the sustainability of our current society is not really worried about facing hardship, but rather about causing hardship (for future generations). At least that’s true for me. I want to leave this world in the best possible condition for my kids, and cause them as little hardship as possible.

However, I’m also trying to not beat myself down over things I cannot control.

I’m optimistic too, not always though. Atleast I know the source on my unhappiness. I just dislike working in a team. I’ve taken a few years off between jobs and those have been the happiest years of my life. I have plenty of hobbies and don’t really get bored anymore. Too bad that’s the one thing in our society you can’t not do.

I think it's like a defense mechanism; it's better to have a constant sense of mild unhappiness than to pretend everything is fine. Because I can see how a lot of people see the subject of this post as a "just think happy thoughts!" kind of advice.