When I want to hurt someone who hurt me, I remind myself that tomorrow they’ll wake up and still be themselves. And that there’s no pain I can inflict upon them that’s worse than them being themselves. And that helps me get over it.
you're describing "Pascal’s Wager for Happiness."
mathematically, the pessimist pays the "suffering tax" twice.
once during the anticipation of the bad event, and again when the bad event actually happens.
the optimist only pays the tax once (when the event happens).
if the bad event doesn't happen, the pessimist suffered for nothing, while the optimist enjoyed the ride.