I find very little in the world that depresses me...I can be empathetic and compassionate but it does not affect my happiness.

Not finding your "real world" very appealing......lived with my ex for 33+ years, he saw things your way and it was Grim!

I think to a certain extent they are necessary, although I believe that we basically fall into two categories of personality type....optimists and pessimists. Those of us who identify as pessimists can probably fit your description of having “depressive realism”. I think those of us who have answered yes to the question you pose....like me, are probably optimistic by nature. I suspect those who answered no, may fall into the other personality group, and are pessimists by nature. I may be an optimist, but Im also a realist and know that sometimes I indulge in wishful thinking and escape the reality of truly awful situations by concentrating my mind on more positive events. Some may dismiss this as not facing reality, but to me it’s a way of finding perspective.. By deflecting my thoughts to the more positive, I believe I can weigh up both sides of any situation and can see the benefits as well as the demerits in most things. I don’t need any supernatural entities to help me find a meaning to my life, my life is meaningful because I enjoy being alive, every day brings some happiness with it, even when I’m feeling grief or sadness...it’s not a blanket condition...but transient sadness. If we look for the joy we will find it, it’s all around us, in our friends and nature, it’s up to us to do so, that is my belief.

I guess it depends where you start. People are born with a variety of dispositions. I think that those of us who see things more realistically do need something in order to gain a happier footing. Not sure if illusions are the thing.

Yes.