Whether it’s personal circumstances, the weather, or just a good old fashioned chemical imbalance, everyone has their run-ins with the blues from time to time, especially you, considering that weird thing you do with your mouth when you think no one’s paying attention.
If you feel like you’re alone, fret not! You’re in luck (for once), as millions of people all over the world have plenty of things to be miserable about, but it doesn’t have to take over your life. Here are eight simple tips to help you become less miserable even with your original nose and everything:
1. Stop comparing yourself to others.
Sure, it’s not always easy to do this, especially since your Amazon goddess sister inherited all of the good genes and you got stuck with whatever freak chromosome combo results in somehow having both super oily and super dry skin simultaneously, but hey, it’s worth a shot! By accepting yourself for who you are and not getting hung up on what others have, you’ll be sure to find something to smile about (hopefully not too big though, what with your super thin upper lip and all, right mom?)
2. Volunteer.
I know, as if things weren’t already bad enough, now you have to go and do a bunch of thankless work for free? It sounds bad, and honestly, it is, but at least you’ll be exposed to a bunch of people who somehow have it even worse than you, your ill-fitting jeans, and those squiggly-ass eyebrows you should have stopped tweezing back in 1996. You should stand up straighter too, slouching makes your waist look wider. You know you have a wide waist, right? It’s all about perspective.
3. Treat yourself to something nice.
For some, feeling worthy enough of receiving an act of kindness or compassion may not be so easy, even if the gift is from oneself, and especially when your three-year rock bottom ain’t even close to being over.
If you’re looking to give yourself a much-needed treat in moments of sorrow, you don’t have to spend a lot of time or money to do so. A hot bath, a nice meal, or 20 minutes with a handle of Georgi will have you seeing things from a new outlook, or hey, maybe not able to see at all for the rest of the night. That would be awesome.
4. Start a gratitude list.
Ugh, God. OK. When all we can focus on is the bad stuff about our lives and ourselves, it’s usually our mom’s fault, but that was just the hand we were dealt so I guess we just need to figure out what to do with these shitty cards…which can easily be done by penning a list of what we’re grateful for!
It probably won’t come naturally at first but just do your best, because someone will definitely ask if you have yet, and what’s more miserable than having that conversation again? Just write “cat” and keep it moving.
5. Resist the sweet, sweet allure of total isolation.
Soft blankets, total darkness, giant bags of chips and King-sized candy bars all within an arm’s reach — sounds like a dream, right? Oh good God, does it ever. But although recharging yourself both physically and emotionally is an essential part of being a healthy individual, you can’t be living in that sweet state of bliss for too long because people find that strange and will suggest you “see a doctor”. Be sure to post a selfie or two to throw well-meaning friends off your scent.
6. Stop trying to please everyone.
Many of us tend to get hung up on what other people think, and sometimes invest a lot of time and energy in pleasing everyone around us, maybe someone with a name that starts with a “moth” and ends with an “er”. Or something, who knows? The sooner we accept that we will simply never live up to this entirely hypothetical person’s idea of who we should be, the sooner we can start dodging their phone calls and doing what makes us truly happy, like making jewelry, or not having kids.
7. Take up a creative hobby.
Still feeling stuck? Just remember how that old saying in your court-mandated AA meetings goes: “move a muscle, change a thought!” You can shake it off with exercise, or invest yourself in a new creative hobby, which definitely won’t force you to look at the deepest, darkest parts of yourself in order to produce your best work, all in an effort to achieve the internal and external validation you’ve been seeking against which you will measure your own self-worth. Check online for a fun Drink-N-Draw class near you! Smell ya later, misery!
8. Start living!
Whatever that means!
