GanzChroma 0332
When I was in the Singapore polytechnic, I had a friend whose outlook was permanently clouded. His first reaction to anything new was negativity. โThis is too hard,โ heโd say, โWeโll never get through this.โ At first, I thought it was just his way of venting. But it became clear this wasnโt a fleeting attitude, it was his entire approach to life.
I remember one particular module: databases. None of us were experts, but we were all figuring it out. My friend, though, didnโt even try. From the moment we started, he declared it impossible. And hereโs the thing: his negativity spread. Listening to him made the subject harder for me too. The more he complained, the more difficult it felt to keep going. He eventually failed that module and had to repeat the semester.
It wasnโt just the workload that failed him, it was his mindset.
Negativity isnโt harmless.
Itโs contagious.
It builds nothing.
If youโve spent any time in online comments sections, youโll know exactly what I mean. A few voices start talking about how bad things are, and soon the entire thread is a litany of despair. โThe industry is collapsing,โ โThere are no opportunities,โ โAI is coming for us all.โ Sure, venting can feel cathartic in the moment.
But what does it actually achieve?
Hereโs the truth: forums or comment sections often become echo chambers of pity. They take real challenges and amplify them into insurmountable obstacles. The people who stay there the longest tend to get stuck, spinning in circles, sharing their frustrations without ever finding solutions.
And yetโฆ optimism builds.
Optimism creates.
Optimism opens doors.
Iโve learned that the quality of your questions determines the quality of your life.
If you ask, โWhatโs wrong?โ youโll get more of the problem.
If you ask, โWhat do I want?โ or โHow can I shift this?โ youโll start moving toward the solution.
This isnโt wishful thinking, itโs practical.
The act of reframing (https://lnkd.in/gyHwDQWX) focus changes your trajectory. Instead of circling the drain, you start building a bridge.
Negativity feels safe because itโs familiar. Itโs easier to complain about whatโs broken than to think about how to fix it.
But the future belongs to the optimistic. Only they can build it.
If you spend all your time listing whatโs wrong, youโll miss whatโs possible.
The VFX industry and life in general has its challenges. Nobodyโs denying that. But while others are spiraling in forums, you have a choice. You can ask yourself better questions. You can start moving toward solutions, even small ones.
Forums are great for technical tips or advice, but if you find yourself sinking into a pit of doom posting, step away. Go outside, talk to someone who inspires you, or focus on what you can control.
The world needs more bridge builders, not naysayers.