Thanks to Jeff for this post idea.

You ever been down in the blues and all everyone tells you is to “be happy” like it’s the simplest god damn thing in the world? I hate that. If “being happy” was as simple as everyone makes it out to be, then there would be no such thing as sadness. It’s a foolish idea. Happiness (IMO) has always been easily attainable if I could just follow five of these simple rules. Problem is: I break my own rules.

1) Get a god damn hobby.

Look, I’m all for thousands of people meticulously piecing together models of robots or whatever, but it’s never really been my style. I can see the appeal though. Getting your mind off of your problems all in favor of one small project. It doesn’t even matter how stupid and silly the project is, you just want to finish for that small burst of self-esteem and completion. I’ve got hobbies too! And they usually don’t involve sitting around and gluing sticks together. I like to play games and name the characters after my loved ones. Or I like to day dream about rebuilding the world in my own image. Or what I’m doing right now. (That last one is writing for some of my…duller readers.)

2) Break Something

Remember folks, we are aiming for short term stress release and happiness here. And I don’t care what you think, but I’ve never been happier then when I’m busting something up. Go to Daiso and buy a ton of shitty little cups and bowls and blast them apart in the parking lot. There is such a thing as a beautiful destruction, and you’ve never seen it until you’re the one that causes it. It’s empowering really. Knowing that you have the capability to shatter something that someone took so much time and effort into creating. Creation and destruction go hand in hand. If I can’t do one, I’ll do the other.

3) New clothing and look

It’s true. Dressing better makes you feel better. Go ahead and tell yourself that you’re beautiful in the inside when you’re covered in grease and dirt. It’s hard. Go buy yourself a new pair of jeans. Get a god damn hair cut. Feel good? It’s you versus the world and you just got your second wind. Go get em tiger.

4) Focus on your victories

If you ever feel stressed out from the hardships of life, remember that they’re not your first and they’re probably not your last. From there, look at how you’ve conquered the ones before you. You’re still standing aren’t you? Well that means you can probably take this one in stride. If you think about your previous accomplishments, you can ride them out through the rest of the storm.

5) Remember the world isn’t over

No matter how you want to shake it, the world is far from over. Even after your despair and hardships, there will be people who will continue to prosper and suffer. Do you want to live to keep fighting for that little slice of happiness? The world doesn’t end with any amount of suffering. It’s going to end for you when you’re dead and buried. And until then, there’s going to be a lot more coming and you’re going to have to keep taking it. Keep your chin up and don’t get in over your head.