Visual Artist Matthew Stone uncovers his evolving relationship with optimism in both his work and personal life via NOWNESS. Watch below:

Rather than running at a million miles an hour and feeling like I can do anything, there have been moments where I haven't been able to do some pretty basic things. That alone always manifests a sense of optimism.  That experience has changed me and the way that I think.

Now that I know that it's not always possible to feel optimistic all of the time I can see that pitching optimism as the primary means of self-actualization for those facing genuine adversity can be a patronizing tool of oppression in itself.