Democracy Dies in Darkness

How to deal with chronically negative people

You probably can’t turn your favorite pessimist into an optimist, but here’s what can actually help — and how to set boundaries so you don’t feel dragged down.

8 min
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Man walks across wire between two heads leaving the head containing negative thoughts to the one containing positive
(Washington Post illustration; iStock)
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We all know someone who seems to be an endless source of negativity.

We get it. The world can be a dark place, and the news cycle could make anyone spiral. But whether it’s coming from a close family member or a co-worker, relentless pessimism can be frustrating, especially if you’ve chosen not to doomscroll to protect your mental health.

What readers are saying

The comments reflect a range of perspectives on dealing with negativity and positivity. Many commenters express frustration with chronically negative individuals, suggesting avoidance or setting boundaries as strategies. Others highlight the importance of understanding and... Show more
This summary is AI-generated. AI can make mistakes and this summary is not a replacement for reading the comments.
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Maggie Penman is a reporter for The Optimist. Previously she was the Executive Producer of "Post Reports," The Washington Post's award-winning flagship daily news podcast. She also reported and produced for NPR and its member stations, WGBH and WNYC.@maggiepenman
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