Pessimism and “it is what it is” mentality

There’s something I’ve run into again and again since moving here: a deeply ingrained belief that some problems just can’t be solved—so why even try?

The conversation usually goes something like this:

“Yeah, that’s how it’s always been.”

“Honestly, no one really cares.”

“You should just move if it bothers you.”

“That’s life in a village/city/Portugal.”

Whether it’s noise issues, untrained dogs, broken bureaucracy, or garbage collection—there’s this cultural shrug. People might agree it’s annoying, but not enough to push for change. And if you push? You’re often seen as overreacting, or even disrespectful for “not understanding how things work here.”

It’s a kind of national pessimism that’s weirdly proud of itself. Like: “We know it’s broken. We’ve known forever. So?”

Why this matters

This mindset is charming when applied to small inconveniences. But it becomes a major blocker when it prevents real progress:

• It lets public services off the hook.

• It kills civic engagement—if nothing can change, why vote, organize, or complain?

• It pushes away people who do want to build something better.

• Worst of all, it normalizes dysfunction.

I’ve met brilliant Portuguese people who’ve stopped trying because they’ve been shut down so many times with:

“That’s just how it is.”

Portugal has so much potential. Talent, creativity, culture, resilience. But this defeatist autopilot is holding it back.

What could help?

1. Stop glorifying resignation as wisdom. Just because something’s always been that way doesn’t mean it should stay that way.

2. Normalize saying: “Actually, this isn’t okay.”

3. Celebrate people who fix things, not just the ones who accept them.

We don’t need fake optimism. We just need a little less proud pessimism.