To Make Oneself Happy

Why I Am Writing This

Today I have felt down and under pressure, and totally out of touch with reality. I read a story by Natasja Rose and this phrase really struck me:

Rejection Sensitivity Dysphoria. This is characterized predominantly by the heightened reaction to the perception of being rejected, including depression, and social anxiety, often manifesting in seeming desperation to be liked and included.

The story is here:

I do sometimes feel disconnected from everyone, even though I know that I am not, but this morning this was making me physically sick.

Added to that there were things going wrong at work, outside agencies saying they had done things when they hadn't and trying to fix problems that were hitting other people.

Things were not good.

So How Did I Make Myself Happy?

I looked at all the good things in my life, all the friendships I have. I know damned well I can call or message so many friends. I had a couple of meetings this morning and the catch-ups resulted in a lot of laughs and spirit-raising.

While I was feeling bad, I didn't have music playing, putting a record on immediately lifts the mood.

Yesterday somebody said "If Mike doesn't write the world is wrong" and that thought made me feel good about myself. People don't have to read what I create but knowing that they see it as part of the fabric of their world made me feel valued.

It is too easy to let things get on top of us, and I know most people have much worse things to deal with than I do, but it is really good to always have something that puts a smile on your face. That might be a pet, a place, a book, a record or just doing something.

Writing this is making me feel much better, and I have "Voyage" by ABBA playing as I write this on my lunch break.

This morning I turned on my Himalayan Salt Lamp which I feel helps my creativity, and then played a short piece on my keyboard. It was just something that flowed from my fingers but it made me feel better. Playing any instrument is always a good outlet for feelings.

I always smile, I am smiling now because I know that it is definitely beneficial for me.

When you smile, your brain releases tiny molecules called neuropeptides to help fight off stress. Then other neurotransmitters like dopamine, serotonin, and endorphins come into play too. The endorphins act as a mild pain reliever, whereas serotonin is an antidepressant.

I know the long weekend is coming and I have got all the issues in hand, sometimes it's just a case of grinding things out, and I feel better having done it. This week I mowed my back lawn for the first time this year, so I have dealt with the chores that I needed to do.

I still have things to do, and also looking forward to continuing to bring Vocal friends and acquaintances into the Vocal Social Society and seeing members supporting each other and sharing ideas.

Joining Vocal has definitely been a huge benefit for me and is always there to let me share my mental wanderings like this, and that is something that makes me very happy.

Conclusion

Today did not start brilliantly, but it has kept getting better. Good friends, good music, good thoughts, smiles, and lots of little things mean that I am going to have another excellent day.

I may go for a walk, meet up with some feline friends, and smile a lot. That sounds like a good plan to me. And I included "Starry Eyes" by The Records because it is such a feel-good record, and the lead-in image is a Unicorn I generated on Night Cafe.