Feeling a bit down tonight. How do you guys like to lighten up?
I have a picture of a cartoon cheerleader on my desk. She’s always cheering me on. It feels good to be encouraged and supported. I’ve been wanting to get a cheerleader Barbie for some time now but I haven’t found ones with normal sized heads.
I also have birthday candles and every once in a while I’ll buy a piece of cake and blow a candle out, to celebrate everything that I’ve done.
I have a little collection of car critters that I keep on rotation, all with pun names.
Just one out at a time, I don’t like the clutter, but when I feel sad, I’ll sort through a few and put 'em on the spot on my dash.
I’ve given out more than a few to people when they’ve needed them more than me, like my little pa-car-isu to the girl who was stressed out about getting her blood drawn, or my cArcanine to a boy who was having trouble waiting quietly with his mom and baby brother.
Play guitar. Ride a horse. Ride a motorcycle. Play frisbee with my dog. Read a book.
Like the other reply, the little things are big things.
I hope you can feel better, friend.
We’re all just feeding answers to the AI overlords.
Go goth and embrace the mood. Nothing wrong with being sad sometimes.
Pet my cats and listen to cheerful song
Happy cartoons!
I’m sure you’ve heard of Bluey by now. Its so good, wholesome, and heartfelt. Everyone’s watching, regardless of age.
Here’s one of my favorites for happy feels: Kipper the Dog
Its a Pre-K show that’s just super chill and pleasant. Feels like a warm blanket and cocoa. This one is definitely more for children, but its ok to indulge your inner child and tell it that things are okay.For a more sophisticated palette, Hilda is the most criminally underrated animated mainstream cartoon in recent memory… that somehow got a full run regardless!
Three seasons and a movie on Netflix. Its beautiful and kid appropriate but definitely for all ages, and pretty damn serious a lot of the time. But its still rather uplifting in how a lot of things aren’t problems, because Hilda is so spirited and determined in a way you can truly believe in.My little Pony, new and old, really does the trick for me, but its not for everyone, of course. Pound Puppies and A Pup Named Scooby Doo also hit that vibe, though of the old shows mentioned, its probably the best written. (Never got into Care Bears, but it could probably work too, if you’re looking for Sunshine and Rainbows)
I raise to you: Ladybug.
Say “bubbles” in the deepest voice you possibly can. It always make me chuckle when in a funk.
Get out into nature.
Watch a favorite show or movie.
Make something.
Pets.
Play games.
Eat a favorite food.
The little things can carry you through life.
I take on all of my most miserable, dreaded tasks and work on them all day. At least it keeps me busy and distracted from how I feel.
That way when I do feel better, I’ll be able to spend that time doing something I enjoy rather than spend it catching up on work.
I just remember that everything is going to die with the heat death of the universe and I feel at peace.
