I'd say my experience of the whole optimism thing is this - I always think that an opportunity involves something cool that I don't want to miss out on. I hate drudgery in the sense that I know exactly what it's going to involve, and that's just dull. I can get depressed when things aren't as interesting as I imagine that they could be.
Speaking of which, i lately read an intresting thing about Fi in entps in socionics, the point of least resistance. It said they tend to be funny in group settings and need laughter as feedback so they dont have to deal with their own emotions. Like a blind spot for your own Fi.
I agree with the first part, but not the reasoning. I seek laughter as feedback because I want others around me to be happy and enjoying life, to be able to influence that makes me all warm and snuggly in my belly.
My avoidance is less about facing emotions, more about not facing the tough situations that create those negative emotions in the first place.
I agree with bits of both of these. I want to be funny because I associate laughter with warm feelings, and that people like me for spreading these warm feelings. However, where the PoLR comes into play, is coming to the understanding that while I like it when people think that I am funny, I need them to respect me as a complete person far more than this. Therefore, social interaction isn't just a performance to get right or wrong, but a time where the important part is sharing who I am as a person, and accepting their response, for good or bad (i.e. where the Fi least resistance shows itself).
So, in moments of weakness, I'll go do things that I later regret, because I think people will think more of me for them. This seems like Fe, but it's really that weak or Trickster Fi allowing Ne to go into overdrive. I do something that I feel people will like me for, never mind any experience or rules otherwise, simply because it should end up that way. When Ti gets stronger, I can stop myself and realize that people liking me does not logically follow from acting in that way, and that it is through calmly accepting myself for who I am and respecting others that I can attain the respect and esteem that I desire.