Secrets to Happiness!

Dear readers,

I’m done with the depression. I hate that feeling of sadness when your heart just seems to weigh a billion tonnes, your head hangs low, you walk like the Hunchback of Notredam and you head just fills with thoughts like oh how crap you feel and whatnot.
I’ve only ever been truly depressed twice in my life now. Once last year when someone hurt me oh so bad, and a few weeks ago (for more details click on my old blog link). Depression eras suck. Period.

So I, being the compassionate angel that I am (don’t muntah now, sweetie), have compiled a list of just some of the things I do to get myself back to the Path of Bliss (*cue heavenly music*) for your reference just in case you fall into that trap of Evil Depression. Doing the things on this list helped me get out of the rut. Hope it helps you too!

Secrets to Happiness.
Quick and Easy Fix-its That Work!

1. Sliced apples with cheese.

I discovered these delights one day when I was on a diet, eating apples when Anisah came over with a burger. You know how people on strict diets are when they spot junk food – They chuck the healthy food away and attack the junk. That’s what I did. I still had bits of apple in my mouth when I bit into the burger. The apple bits combined with the cheese causes chemical reactions. I found heaven. So should you. Eat when you feel the slightest bit PMS-y.

2. Stroke and talk to your cat.

It’s amazing how my cat Gandalf seems to just understand me. He’s such a good listener, and he’s listened to me whine and complain with such patience. We all know how we all just want to be listened to, yet it’s always so difficult to find someone to listen to you. I found Gandalf, and he’s the best listener in the world. He’s useless when you need advice though, so there’s no use asking him questions, because you’ll just end up with a scratch on your face.

3. Give and receive bear hugs.

Hug papa! Hug mama! Your sister! Your brother! Hug your bestest best friend! Your tree! You either end up beaming at the fact that you have such wonderful, beautiful people in your life, or crying with complete and utter joy. Hugs rule. I find hugging mama is the best therapy. Even better when Firdaus joins. The more, the merrier.

4. Talk to a loved one.

This one’s pretty obvious. When I get upset/angry/depressed, I’ll talk about it. I don’t know if it works for everyone though, but I find that when those words come out, so does the anger/depression. Talking works wonder. But make sure the listener doesn’t mind. And don’t ever take it out on them.

5. Stargazing outside from the garden.

Pull out a tikar (mat) and lie down to count the stars. It’s a great way to get your mind off those small matters that bother you. You realise the universe is massive, and your troubles are titchy, so why get pissed over tiny problems that shouldn’t get you down? Stargazing always gets me thinking of Allah SWT too, and we all know how great He is and how great we feel knowing He’s there watching you... Stargazing aloneis one thing, group stargazing is another. I usually invite my brother to join me, and we’d spot constellations together, and this would lead to conversations… What joy!

6. Dancing like a total weirdo freak to weirdo freak music.

This one’s a real cure when you feel like you’ve had enough of trying to live up to people’s expectations, or you feel like you’re sick of being like everyone else and you just want to be You. This step worked for me, and it worked for my brofriend Ashli when he felt blue. Turn on that music you like, the one everyone else thinks is utter rubbish (for me, it’s Erasure’s I Love To Hate You) and shake your booty, baby. You’ll be surprised at how healthy and elated you feel afterwards. And who the hell cares when you get those weird looks from people around you? WHO THE HELL CARES?! Woooootness.

7. Write.

Again, this might not work for everyone, but I find writing such great therapy. When I get angry/pissed/overwhelmed with emotion, I take out my pen and my book, and I write. Poems, thoughts, songs. Depends on my mood. Writing’s a lot like talking, it releases your emotions. Coming up with tunes to go along with your poem cheers me up too. Except my guitar’s broken now and it makes me so angry. I think I need some apples with cheese…

8. Long walks to wherever your feet take you.

As long as it ain’t to any baaad places, though, kids. When my mind get filled up with stress and negative thoughts, I put on my silver-pink trainers and I walk out that front door. I do this also when I need to get away from the noise and stress my house sometimes emits…And I usually end up at Kiara Park where I’d lay on the grass beside that giant pond to watch the clouds. Walk those negative emotions away!

9. Read a good book.

I find reading transports me from my world to another. Which is a good thing if ever you feel like you need to ‘get away from it all’. It’s not a very good idea to read highly-stressy books like anything from Tom Clancy if you’re stressed out though… And there’s no point reading Shakespeare when you’re freaked cuz you failed your English exams. And heck, if you’re angry at the world, don’t read the front pages of the daily newspaper, unless news of people getting killed and murdered in Iraq soothes your mind and refreshes your soul. When you’re feeling emotional, read something light.

10. Remember Allah SWT. And do what you must. :)

There are other things you could do, babes, to keep your spirits up. Screaming into a pillow is one thing. Jumping on your bed's another. Anything that gets your mind off those evil things, or anything that helps solve your troubles does just fine. But make sure you don't do anything... you know... involving guilty pleasure... You don't want to come out feeling even worse than before, innit? So yeah.

Love, hugs and cookies from Me.