oh lord you'd hate me haha I'm pessimistic and paranoid albeit about myself not others, and that's why a try to be more optimistic around others. I think for me, when I'm ultimately distressed (as in banging head against wall distressed), I just need to be told it's going to be ok, whether it is or not. If I'm not distressed, then I'm able to look at situations in a more balanced manner. This is just me though, I know some people would like to hear honest opinions at all costs (although who's to say the other opinion is correct, which is the dangerous part of that).
anyway, it ultimately comes down to me not being suitable for life.
That was how I used to be too and to a certain extent, still have that tendency. But I don't believe it's pessimism to feel things are bad if things really are bad. That's realism!
I also painted on a brave face for others and also for myself. I still do. In a way, simply doing that is trying to change the way you think.
If the situation is bad, I feel bad. If it's good, I feel good.
I'm simply wary of behaviour that doesn't fit the context, either way. That's speaks of dangerous attitudes or potential manipulation and sets of warning bells when I see that behaviour in others and in myself too.
I don't necessarily mean that in a judgemental way, but I think sometimes we can all recognise when we are being either too pessimistic or being unrealistically optimistic.
Both extremes can be dangerous but they also have distinct functions for coping otherwise they actually wouldn't exist. They are defensive mechanisms that can be taken to extremes and become maladapted.
Personally, I think the trick is to try and be self aware as possible, listen to your thoughts and feelings for what they are in any given context and be honest.
That is a good foundation for intuition and when I see that in others, I tend to trust them. I also think when they see that in me, they tend to trust me too.