IN HINDZSIGHT – "Relapsed Optimism"

Host: HINDZ
Date: October 31, 2025

Episode Overview

In this episode of IN HINDZSIGHT, HINDZ explores the emotional ups and downs encountered on the journey of self-development and achievement. He introduces the concept of "optimism relapse," delving into the reality that motivation and confidence can often be fleeting. Through personal reflections, metaphors like bamboo growth, and stories of others on unique journeys, HINDZ offers strategies for staying grounded, resilient, and focused even when optimism falters. The episode centers on maintaining a plan, embracing gratitude, and falling in love with the process of becoming, not just achieving.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

The Challenge of Consistency and Staying "Locked In"

• Starting is easy; persistence is hard:
  HINDZ reflects on how initial bursts of motivation can fade:

  “You know, the hardest part about locking in… is not even the starting part… but it's like when you're applying yourself and we're putting in the work and... you're not sure if your efforts are really going to be beneficial.” (00:00)

• Self-doubt and self-deprecation:
  He acknowledges the emotional swings—feeling on top of the world on some days, and on others, succumbing to doubts and negative self-talk.

The "Optimism Relapse" & Following Your Plan—not Your Mood

• Embracing change in mood:
  HINDZ normalizes fluctuations in motivation, likening them to changing seasons:

  “We have to expect our mood to change. That’s life. If you need a reminder, look outside. The weather changes, right?... My mood will change, you understand? Like my energy levels will sway.” (02:04)

• Sticking to your plan:

  “Follow your plan, not your mood. Especially when you're in a season of locking in.” (01:40)
  Daily practice of reviewing one's plan and goals keeps the focus steady, despite mood changes.

• Developing structure:
  HINDZ highlights tools like having goals and intentions visible, recounting how easy it is to forget the "why" and get distracted.

The Metaphor of Bamboo Growth

• Patience and invisible progress:

  “Bamboo grows about five years underground. Nobody can see it at all... A lot of us are there right now. We look in our orbit... we see people maybe living the type of lives that we want... but we’re still underground, doing the inner work, developing our roots.” (07:22)

• Celebrating quiet growth:
  Once bamboo sprouts, it grows rapidly—reminding listeners that persistence pays off, even if unseen for a long time.

Gratitude, Affirmations, & the Power of Small Signs

• Staying in gratitude:

  “The reason why we need to stay in gratitude is not just so we can stay optimistic, but so our focus is channeled in the right direction.” (14:25)

• "Pebbles" from life:
  Life gives subtle affirmations—small moments or comments that let you know you’re on the right path.
• Personal example:

  “Happened to me the other day having dinner with a couple of friends. They said a couple things and it was like one of the most beautiful affirmations I needed... Do not worry about a thing.” (15:53)

Beating Self-Deprecation & Cultivating Self-Compassion

• Self-reflection:
  Acknowledges everyone experiences frustration and self-critique:

  “Those days where you're just like, I don't know, you just get in your mind and you just tear yourself apart because you know, your power, you know how much more is within you.” (17:40)

• Potential and drive:

  “If you're not hard on yourself, then like, you probably don't even believe you have potential. You are only hard on yourself because you know you can do more.” (18:42)

The Journey as Self-Discovery & Expression

• Story of the Korean cyclist:
  Shares the journey of a man riding his bike across Canada (and previously from Mexico to Alaska) simply “to get to know myself.”

  “When he said he's getting to know himself, he said, I'm getting to know my limits... his strength, his resilience, and then also his limits when he needs to give himself grace.” (20:14)

• Expression as nourishment:

  “Our highest form of nutrition is in our expression... creative hobbies... are healing modalities and personal development tools.” (21:01)

The Necessity of Revisiting Intentions & Embracing the Process

• Daily review of intentions:
  Emphasizes the importance of morning and evening check-ins with one's "why" and intentions to stay on track.
• Collecting “pebbles” along the way:
  These small affirmations and moments of progress build belief until a “major sign” confirms you’re on the right path. (26:22)

Loving the Process, Not Just the Outcome

• Find meaning in becoming:

  “We’re trying to be happy while... we are building and creating our life. Not when... so we are falling in love with our becoming. Not the destination we’re trying to get at, but our becoming.” (27:12)

• Focus on the experience, not the thing:
  For example, wanting to be married should be about deeper love and partnership, not just a status.

Expect the Best for Yourself

• “It is so easy to self deprecate and think the worst is going to happen and our mind will drift there sometimes. But expect the best for yourself, right?” (30:04)

• Faith and effort:

  “Faith without works is dead. But expect the best for yourself regardless. Stay hopeful. Our optimism will relapse some days, but we follow our plan, not just our mood.” (30:51)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On mood swings and plans:
  “Follow your plan, not your mood.” (01:40)
• On growth:
  “Bamboo grows about five years underground... a lot of us are there right now.” (07:22)
• On motivation:
  “Some days the motivation will just sweep me off my feet. And some days we actually had to activate that motivation for ourselves, right?” (04:01)
• On gratitude:
  “The reason why we need to stay in gratitude is not just so we can stay optimistic, but so our focus is channeled in the right direction.” (14:25)
• On potential:
  “You are only hard on yourself because you know you can do more. That is great, but there is always more to do.” (18:42)
• On the process:
  “We are falling in love with our becoming. Not the destination we’re trying to get at, but our becoming.” (27:12)
• On hope:
  “Expect the best for yourself... Stay hopeful. Our optimism will relapse some days, but we follow our plan, not just our mood.” (30:51)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:00 – Opening reflection: The difficulty of consistency, "optimism relapse"
• 01:40 – “Follow your plan, not your mood” principle
• 04:01 – Mood changes, importance of daily practices
• 07:22 – Bamboo growth metaphor: patience & unseen progress
• 14:25 – Importance of gratitude for perspective and focus
• 15:53 – Affirmations from daily life, "pebbles" as signs you’re on the right path
• 17:40 – On self-deprecation, potential, and self-compassion
• 20:14 – Story of cyclist riding across Canada: self-discovery through challenge
• 21:01 – Expression as personal nourishment
• 26:22 – Collecting signs, the value of intention-setting rituals
• 27:12 – Emphasizing the journey over the destination
• 30:04 – Expecting the best for yourself, faith, and effort

Tone & Speaker Style

HINDZ maintains an encouraging, reflective tone throughout the episode, sharing personal experiences and metaphors in a conversational style. He aims not at preaching but at accompanying listeners on their journeys, emphasizing humility, patience, and self-compassion. His language is nurturing and inclusive, often reminding listeners that the struggle with motivation and optimism is universal.

Summary Conclusion

"Relapsed Optimism" offers a thoughtful meditation on weathering the ups and downs of personal growth. HINDZ invites listeners to accept the reality of fluctuating moods, to create and regularly revisit plans and intentions, and to view the process itself as a valuable journey—emphasizing gratitude and celebrating small victories. The episode is a supportive reminder that relapse in optimism is natural, but with resilience, self-reflection, and structured intention, we can keep moving forward together.