Got an idea for a holiday? Send it to us

Submit Now

National Optimism Month – March 2024

National Optimism Month takes place in March and we are brimming with excitement. Contrary to common belief, it is possible to recondition mundane patterns and habits and turn them into positive and optimistic moments. The best part is that once optimism is channeled inwardly, great benefits follow outwardly. Now, we know that these things take time, which is why celebrations are for the whole month, giving us plenty of time to make small and eventually big changes.

History of National Optimism Month

What is optimism exactly? The word refers to hopefulness, confidence about the future, and the success of something. People often wonder whether optimistic people have a cheery outlook on life because they haven’t faced setbacks and upheavals. Or, maybe they are confident and happier simply because they don’t have any problems to worry about? Research debunks these statements with the view that optimistic people are generally content because of their persistent optimism, which creates benefits such as health, vitality, and ultimately, happiness.
This viewpoint is fantastic because it means that anyone can avail the rewards of optimism simply by changing their perspective. And it also means that there is a cycle; optimism comes with benefits that make one happy, leading to more optimism.

Optimism also brings with it success in the world, as well as in one’s personal domains, such as physical and emotional health. The demanding nature of our daily routines leaves us stressed out and fatigued. Add to that the constant comparison with the lives and possessions of others and spending too much time online, making it easy to fall into pessimism.

So now is the time to start practicing optimism. It is not as simple as being positive and looking on the bright side, but that’s a start. And the way to incorporate optimism into our lives will vary for everyone, so find what works best for you. Take a step back and consider everything that stresses you out and reactions that can trigger stress, anger, and burnout. Reroute your actions, reactions, and habits optimistically and experience life like never before.

National Optimism Month timeline

440 B.C.
An Ancient Philosophy

One of the earliest ideas on philosophical optimism is theorized by Socrates.

1710
Making the Best of Things

Philosopher Gottfried Leibniz defines optimism as “the best of all possible worlds.”

1737
Text Appearances

Translations of the works of Voltaire identify the term ‘optimism.’

1841
More Interpretations

Ralph Waldo Emerson interprets optimism as “Dare to live the life you have dreamed for yourself. Go forward and make your dreams come true.”

National Optimism Month FAQs

What is the power of optimism?

Optimism is hope. And hope is perhaps the greatest asset to have, giving strength and resilience through testing times.

How can I be optimistic throughout the week?

A good and simple practice for beginning the week on an optimistic note is to think of things with an “I get to” mindset. So rather than complaining about why you have to go to work, think of it as “I get to go to work,” recognizing your privilege and not taking it for granted.

Is optimism good for the brain?

Yes. Optimism reduces stress, triggers the production of dopamine, and buffers against falling into depression. More importantly, it influences mental and physical well-being by promoting a healthy lifestyle.

National Optimism Month Activities

  1. Be optimistic

    The simplest way to celebrate National Optimism Month is to be optimistic. Bring optimism into your life for the whole month and see what a difference it makes.

  2. Partner up

    Keep your negative habits in check and build optimism by celebrating the month with a friend.

  3. Examine your patterns

    Analyze the areas in your life where you feel you can bring optimism, and work on building better habits and positive thinking.

5 Quotes About Optimism To Keep You Optimistic

  1. Winston Churchill

    “A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty.”

  2. Norman Vincent Peale

    “Go out of your way to talk optimistically about everything.”

  3. Nicholas M. Butler

    “Optimism is essential to achievement and it is also the foundation of courage and true progress.”

  4. Dalai Lama

    “Choose to be optimistic — it feels better.”

  5. Maya Angelou

    “You may encounter many defeats but you must not be defeated.”

Why We Love National Optimism Month

  1. Optimism has many benefits

    Optimism is the new cool! We’ve all gone through that emo phase growing up, but being optimistic and enjoying life is what works in the long term.

  2. The world needs it

    The world contains all sorts of negative things. This is why it is more important than ever to balance it out with positivity and optimism.

  3. Habits take time to develop

    We love celebrations that are not limited to a day or week. This gives us all ample time to work on being optimistic and improving our lives.

National Optimism Month dates

YearDateDay
2024March 1Friday
2025March 1Saturday
2026March 1Sunday
2027March 1Monday
2028March 1Wednesday
Festival of Owls Week
Hearing Awareness Week
National Aplastic Anemia & MDS Awareness Week
National Ghostwriters Week
National Invest in Veterans Week
National Will Eisner Week
National Write a Letter of Appreciation Week
North Dakota Winter Show
Universal Human Beings Week
Asiatic Fleet Memorial Day
Baba Marta
Baby Sleep Day
Denim Day for Dementia
Endometriosis Awareness Day
Global Day of Unplugging
Independence Movement Day
International Ideas Month
International Martisor
International Women of Color Day
Mărțișor
National Black Women in Jazz and the Arts Day
National Dadgum That's Good Day
National Dress in Blue Day
National Employee Appreciation Day
National Fruit Compote Day
National Horse Protection Day
National Hotel Slipper Day
National March First Day
National Minnesota Day
National Peanut Butter Lover's Day
National Pig Day
National Sage Day
National Speech and Debate Education Day
National Texas Stress Day
National Wedding Planning Day
National Welsh Corgi Day
Overseas N.H.S. Workers Day
Peace Corps Day
Plan a Solo Vacation Day
Public Risk Management Awareness Day
Refired Not Retired Day
Self-Injury Awareness Day
Share a Smile Day
St. David's Day
World Civil Defense Day
World Compliment Day
World Day of Prayer
World Seagrass Day
Yap Day
Zero Discrimination Day
Academy Awards Month
Adopt a Rescued Guinea Pig Month
Alport Syndrome Awareness Month
American Red Cross Month
Berries and Cherries Month
Bleeding Disorders Awareness Month
Brain Injury Awareness Month
Colic Awareness Month
Colorectal Cancer Education and Awareness Month
Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) Awareness Month
Dolphin Awareness Month
Employee Spirit Month
Endometriosis Month
Exotic Winter Fruit & Leeks and Green Onions Month
Expanding Girls' Horizons in Science and Engineering Month
Gardening, Nature and Ecology Books Month
Gender Equality Month
Greek-American Heritage Month
Honor Society Awareness Month
Humorists are Artists Month
International Mirth Month
Irish-American Heritage Month
Listening Awareness Month
Mad for Plaid Month
Malignant Hyperthermia Awareness and Training Month
March Madness
Marie Curie Great Daffodil Appeal
Mental Retardation Awareness Month
Middle Level Education Month
Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Month
National Athletic Training Month
National Bed Month (U.K.)
National Breast Implant Awareness Month
National Caffeine Awareness Month
National Celery Month
National Cerebral Palsy Awareness Month
National Cheerleading Safety Month
National Clean up Your IRS Act Month
National Color Therapy Month
National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month
National Crafting Month
National Credit Education Month
National Crochet Month
National Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month
National Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month
National Endometriosis Awareness Month
National Essential Tremor Awareness Month
National Ethics Awareness Month
National Eye Donor Month
National Flour Month
National Frozen Food Month
National Kidney Month
National March Into Literacy Month
National Music in Our Schools Month
National Noodle Month
National Nutrition Month
National Optimism Month
National Peanut Month
National Professional Social Worker's Month
National Reading Month
National Sauce Month
National Social Work Month
National Umbrella Month
National Women's History Month
NZ Book Month
Play the Recorder Month
Poison Prevention Awareness Month
Read an E-Book Month
Red Cross Month
Save Your Vision Awareness Month
Sing With Your Child Month
Small Press Month
Spiritual Wellness Month
Supply Management Month
The Great Daffodil Appeal
Trisomy Awareness Month
Vascular Anomalies Awareness Month
Veggie Month
Women’s Month (Philippines)
Workplace Eye Wellness Month
Youth Art Month

Holidays Straight to Your Inbox

Every day is a holiday!
Receive fresh holidays directly to your inbox.