Topic of the day: Depression

Hi, how are you? I hope you're doing well.


I'm going to talk a bit about a trick to help keep depression at bay. And we'll have a little fun getting the tools ready. ;)

I want to know what makes you happy. That's right, make a list for me, write it all down. Chop chop. Don't just sit there! Find some paper, and there's that pencil from writing the grocery list over there. Go get it!

*insert a montage of both of us running to get the needed supplies, complete with a ticking timer here*

Wow, that was quick, you have everything? I can tell you're going to be good at this. Ok I'll run through the list of materials. I'm doing it too so check that you have everything as we go. Writing utensil? Yup, mine's a purple gel pen. :) Something to write on? Last weeks junk mail. Your brain? Yup, I've got mine, and I'm assuming you have yours as you are reading this. Good, good, good. I think we're ready.

Ok. We're gonna write down all the things that make us smile, laugh or whatever else makes you feel special and warm in your heart. (I don't believe in large categories such as "books" because there are many books that I read that make me sad, so I want to know the specific books that make you happy.) I'll do it with you.

Ready? No? Too bad! GO!

*Another montage of us scribbling things onto our paper faster than lighting, a can of monster, fast typing, and a few beads of sweat rolling down our foreheads*

Well, that wasn't that bad! (By the way, they got the wrong montage in there, that one is for NaNoWriMo. I think they got the tapes mixed up...) I bet you thought it would be harder. Well my friend, feeling better isn't always that hard.

Ok, here's my list:


My sister's advice
My mom saying she believes in me.
My dad's movie recommendations, (that 80's film really did rock!)
A clutter free house- no counter hogging mail or appliances!
Learning new skills (like knitting or how to work different software.)
Dancing to Avril Lavigne's "What The Hell"
Doing push ups and crunches to the beat in Lady Gaga's music
That smile or thank you right after you help someone with something
My youth group at my church
The Breakfast Club movie
Cleaning my kitchen floor
Crazy geeky crafts, costumes and cakes.
Singing along with my favorite songs, or belting it in the shower.
Animals! I love baby animals and all things adorable that has fur.
The unexpected gift or note from someone you didn't even know that well who cared that you were sick or down.

If you notice, I didn't just put names of people down. I would of course put my sister's name down in a heartbeat, because we love each other and she makes me happy. I really want you to think about what that person does in particular that make you happy. Is it their smile? Their really really bad jokes told at the dinner table? Their hugs? Their touch? What is it?
Feel free to list a bunch of them. Keep on going and don't stop until you can't think of anything to put down.

But now, you need to organize and edit your list into action items. (for instance, "my sister's advice" would turn into talk to my sister etc.)

Now, some of you will have a short list, and some will have a very long list. Both can surprise you. If you have a long list, your well on your way to feeling better. Short lists don't mean that you're not or that you're doing it wrong, it just means you should look out for this happy moments a little more. (Write them down right away!) I'm not going to define short and long lists, because I think that's up to the list maker.

Alright, now. rewrite it out on a nice sheet of paper. I'm making mine pretty and elegant with super hero's and doodles, so really, take your time. There's absolutely no rush. :) When you've made this shiny new copy,  I want you to keep some place where you do know where it is. A spot by the computer, by your daily meds/vitamins or something like. Any will do quite nicely as long as you can remember where it is and run right up to it if you have that sinking feeling. Because that's what this list is for. Instructions follow.


INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE HAPPY LIST: [Read before usage is needed]
1: When you start to feel down and don't know what to do because you're bored or lonely or sad, I want you to stop your thinking. Tell it to be quiet. Polite or not, that's up to you, if you need to yell, even out loud, do it! ;) 
2: Jump up and do five jumping jacks. Now you have to race your imaginary friend to that list. You know exactly where it is, and they don't. You can beat them, but you better run fast!
3: Ok, you're all outta breath, but you won. Congrats, you are a fast runner. Now I want you to close your eyes, take a deep breath and stick your finger on that list in a random spot. Open your eyes.
4: Do the action on the list, no matter what it is. Even if you feel like it won't help, or you don't want to do it, JUST DO IT. And while you are doing the action, make sure to smile at least once, a real smile, no cheaters! This will help you not be so down.
(If for instance, on my list I got talk to my sister, I called her and she didn't answer or couldn't talk, then I would move down the list to the next action item. I usually like to have things that I can do by myself so I don't need to rely on others so much to keep me happy, but keep the people-related ones on there, just in case the timing is perfect.)

That's it for today folks. Thanks for reading, as this took over three hours to write. That's ok though because we had fun along the way! I hope you all have a good rest-of-the-weekend. :) Peace, Love, and as always, I am here for those who need me, feel free to email/message me. Keep on smiling!!!

Delia