Blessed Chaos Dealing with the Perpetually Upbeat Person
Dear Uncle Bobby, I work with someone who is always upbeat. No matter what happens — layoffs, broken copier, fire alarms, the AC going out — they smile and say it’s “a blessing in disguise.” Honestly, it’s making me feel like I’m the crazy one for not being thrilled about chaos. How do I deal with someone who refuses to acknowledge reality?
Drowning-In-Optimism,
Sunshine Soldier
Oh sweetheart, you have encountered The Perpetually Upbeat Person — the human equivalent of a motivational poster taped over a gas leak.
These are the folks who wake up every morning, chug a gallon of toxic positivity, stare in the mirror, and scream, “TODAY IS A GIFT!” even though the gift is obviously a re-gifted candle from a coworker who hates them.
And look, normally I’d say bless their hearts, but NO.
Not today.
Not while they’re walking around the office sprinkling joy like a deranged fairy godmother who’s one glitter puff away from a breakdown.
Your AC is broken?
“It’s an opportunity to build community!”
No, Carol, it’s an opportunity to SWEAT TO DEATH IN BUSINESS CASUAL.
Printer jammed again?
“It’s the universe slowing us down so we can reflect.”
Reflect on WHAT, Carol? My will to live evaporating?
You know what’s behind that relentless optimism?
Chaos.
PURE, UNFILTERED CHAOS.
No one is that upbeat without a secret emotional basement full of screaming.
These mindset-guru types want you to believe your burnout is just a “mindset block.”
Yeah, well I’ve got a block for them — the cinder kind, and I’ll deliver it straight to their vision board.
Listen to me:
SOMETIMES THINGS ARE BAD.
Sometimes the correct emotional response is fear, anger, or a feral scream into the void.
Sometimes life isn’t “an opportunity,” it’s a three-legged shopping cart with one wheel stuck in a pothole.
So what do you do?
Simple.
When they hit you with a “blessing in disguise,” hit back with a “yeah, and the disguise SUCKS.”
When they say “everything happens for a reason,” reply “yeah, and the reason is WE MADE BAD CHOICES.”
When they insist “your vibe attracts your tribe,” tell them “THEN PLEASE STOP VIBING AT ME, I’M TRYING TO WORK.”
Eventually, they’ll either leave you alone or short-circuit entirely and reboot next quarter.
But hear me now:
You are not the crazy one.
You are the healthy one.
Anyone who can look at this dumpster-fire world and maintain a permanent grin is either dangerously unhinged or applying for a job with HR.
Stay grounded, kid.
And if Carol tries to “reframe your energy,”
RUN.
– Uncle Bobby