Being realistic is not an alternative to optimism or pessimism though. A pessimist cynic will say "that's just the way it is" for example. Additionally pessim

Being realistic is not an alternative to optimism or pessimism though. A pessimist cynic will say "that's just the way it is" for example. Additionally pessimism and optimism are mainly about thinking about the future rather than objective state of now. Perhaps it's stocism that's a more fitting alternative.