Since leaving college a few months ago, I've had a lot of free time. I've tried to keep as occupied as I can, but there are days when I either don't feel like doing anything, or there isn't anything to do, and I find myself sitting down and thinking.
Sometimes I think about all sorts of good things - like how excited I am for autumn, or the fact that The Great British Bake Off is now back on telly. But there are times when my thoughts are plagued with a negativity that I can't seem to get away from, and I'm left feeling down-and-out about life in general.
However, as someone who hates dwelling on bad thoughts, there are a few things I do in an attempt at feeling better. And seeing as though I hate letting a bad situation get the better of me, I decided to turn this into a (hopefully) helpful blog post!
Write:
Whether it's a stream of consciousness, a novel, a list, putting something in your calender or diary, having to concentrate on something aside from the source of negative feelings will allow you the escapism that comes with watching TV/videos of people falling over, but what's different is that at the end you'll have actually accomplished something you can physically see - rather than just vegging out on the sofa, which always leaves me feeling like I've wasted the day. If you're stuck on what to write, these questions are a God-send.
Go for a walk:
Getting out into the fresh air and methodically putting one foot in front of the other helps to clear your head, and often lets me get to the root of the problem inside my own head, which then means I can return home feeling refreshed, proactive and totally ready to do something productive.
Sing:
If you honestly don't feel like doing anything remotely productive, or energy/time consuming, just put your iPod on and belt it out until your throat feels like it's going to cave in. I find MCR's 'Teenagers' helps to release any feelings of anguish/frustration that I might be having.
Remember the last thing you laughed about:
Really think about it; laugh again.
Remember that you are an integral part of the universe becoming conscious of itself, and that is an amazing thing:
Unless you are subject to existential crises, then maybe think about how we all die eventually, so nothing really matters (see The Outsider by Camus for details).
Think about how someone, somewhere, will either be living with or getting a stupid tattoo:
Possibly one about having 'no regrets' that they will later grow to regret - the sheer irony of it is enough to make anyone feel better.
Make a really good sandwich:
Put everything you love that could possibly go in a sandwich between two slices of bread, cover with a sauce of your choosing and eat, eat, eat. It may be a disaster, but it could also be the best thing you've ever invented, in which case you've got your new go-to snack whenever you've got the munchies.
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