Hope is not blind optimism
Bohlmeijer was once nicknamed the professor of happiness. But he likes to nuance that label. "Happiness doesn’t mean that you always feel good. Life has ups and downs. If you expect to always be cheerful, you end up struggling more quickly."
According to him, happiness is not just about mood, but about finding meaning: living according to your values, contributing, and making choices that fit you. Hope plays a central role in that. "Optimism says: it will be fine. Pessimism says: it will not be fine. Hope sits in between: you don’t know how things will turn out, but despite worries or setbacks, you trust that you can take small, meaningful steps. That makes hope a source of strength in uncertain times."
Research in Twente
Hope may sound abstract, but in Twente it is made concrete through research. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Bohlmeijer and his colleagues developed an app that invited people to do small daily gratitude exercises. More than eight hundred participants took part. After a few weeks, users felt noticeably more grateful, more hopeful and more resilient. This shows that hope is something you can train.
Bohlmeijer also works with colleagues on digital interventions, such as a positive psychology app and a compassion app for people struggling with adversity. PhD candidate Kim Tönis has also studied the scientifically grounded TiP app (Training in Positivity) among students. They report that this digital support is a valuable way to strengthen their resilience.
"Hope is not only important for individuals, but also for society. It helps people stay connected, even in times of difference and division. Compassion and respect are key words here."
Why does this matter for students?
For students, hope may be more relevant than ever. Exams, deadlines and the pressure to perform can weigh heavily. According to Bohlmeijer, resilience starts with kindness. "Don’t see your uncertainties as failure, but as part of being human. Be gentle with yourself, especially when things are tough."
He also emphasises the importance of contact. "The biggest pitfall is to withdraw. Hope does not grow in isolation. It grows in connection with others. Talk about it, share your concerns and support your fellow students. Together you make the difference."
Hope as a building block for society
For Bohlmeijer, hope is more than a psychological concept: it is a basis for a healthy society. "Hope helps us to remain connected, even when we disagree. It prevents polarisation and fosters compassion and respect."
He therefore sees hope as a foundation for the society of tomorrow and a guide for future psychologists and health scientists.
His message to young people and prospective students is simple yet powerful: "Be kind to yourself and others. Hope is not naïve optimism, but a source of resilience, connection and inspiration. It helps you find direction, especially when so much feels uncertain. And perhaps it is the basis for a society in which everyone has the chance to truly thrive."
