In this quote from Carl Hiaasen's book Basket Case, the narrator expresses a mindset of resilience and determination despite challenging circumstances. They acknowledge that, at the moment, there's no clear solution or action to take, so the best approach is to adopt a positive attitude and pretend everything is fine.

By choosing to "strap on an attitude" and act like they're having a good time, the speaker highlights the importance of maintaining a brave and upbeat outlook even when things seem tough. This reflects a strategy of mental toughness, encouraging oneself to stay optimistic regardless of difficulties.