Pollyannaism, derived from the protagonist in the 1913 novel Pollyanna by Eleanor H. Porter, refers to excessive optimism or being overly cheerful. Alternatives to this term include idealism, rose-colored glasses, naive positivity, blind optimism, and hopeful dreaming. These synonyms all convey a sense of an unrealistic or overly optimistic viewpoint, often to the point of being unrealistic. Pollyannaism can be seen as ignoring negative aspects of reality and focusing solely on positive outcomes. While it can be a useful coping mechanism, it can also be seen as a form of denial. It is important to maintain a balanced perspective that acknowledges both the positive and negative aspects of life.