[izzyfg2000]

There are certain things that make me feel less sad at times. Usually, keeping myself busy with a project lets me focus on something other than my feelings. Whether the project is making a crazy halloween costume, (this year it's a Deadmau5 head) or simply sketching, it can really make my day seem happier. What about you guys?

[Nicks_Nose]

A fresh pot of coffee and learning something new. I love to research just about anything.

[Perna]

A good book or conversation with a friend can often make me feel better.

[Samanthagreene]

Breaking out of my endless 'watch YouTube, become more depressed' cycle and doing something creative and/or social. Also, just a question, if you are depressed and you can be distracted and feel happy, does this make it atypical depression? Just wondering.

[izzyfg2000]

Well, im not very familiar with atypical depression, samantha. I haven't been diagnosed with anything yet, so i dont know if that is the case or not.

[_Theodora]

Great idea for a thread! Kudos!

1. Going for a walk outside whether I want to or not.
2. Reviewing my thoughts of the day; some are rather odd; and even make me laugh!

3. Growing things...my houseplants, repotting them, propagating new cuttings for a new plant.
4. Having a long chat with Glooper; wherein we tell my mother where it's at, & always was? He's a pic on my wall hangs with pic of my longtime deceased mom...

5. Planning some new ideas for my future, and how to make them a reality-- feels so good? --thank you, great thread--theo

[Nicks_Nose]

My son coming home from work.

A hot bath

A day off work

[Fresia]

Days off
Walking and playing with the dogs
Hobbies
Talking with a friend or family
Hot bath or shower
Music
Organizing

[Nicks_Nose]

Comedians we can relate to
Campfires
Johnson and Johnson's or Aveeno Baby Lotion
Bird songs
Hugs

[mckin125]

Seeing my cat after work, she is always waiting for me at the door

[IchbinkeinTeufel]

Guitar, PC gaming, computer stuff, German language, talking or doing stuff with my brah, working out, etc.

[spondiferous]

Being out in the forest. Being artistically inspired. Watching a good show, reading a good book, seeing a guerrilla garden in the middle of a bustling, dirty city street.

[Nammu]

Water, animals, nature & books.
I prefer a MN lake but any body of water even a tub or shower will do.

Any book will work too but if I want to lift a depression the light fluffy fun ones are best, Robert Aspirin & the Mything books, a light mystery, especially tongue in cheek fantasy's, Sci Fi , you know the parody's of classics.

A walk in a secluded wood, so hard to do now, but nature and trees without humans around.
Just the so called animals, they always work, wild or not.

My cats and kittens.

I can just pick one up and hold them close to my chest.

[MuseumGhost]

I realized one day last week that I was actually experiencing a certain amount of elation just at the thought of cooking. My kitchen, my bright spot, with all my cool tools, and beloved associations with much-missed family, and happy memories.

So, I've got to give cooking so much some credit for keeping me afloat. It does give me real joy simply to do it. Even if some days it's harder than others, it usually helps my mood.

Other than that:

Really GREAT music helps alot
Quiet days and some time to myself, going at my own pace
Beloved friends who have become better associations than family, because they genuinely care
Planning little projects around the house & seeing them through
My kitties, they are both wonderful lil friends
Hearing from an old friend, out of the blue
A fridge full of lovely leftovers on the run, run, run days

[Nicks_Nose]

I received an unexpected whistle while walking today. That felt nice. Slept when I needed it and that felt good too. Chatted with my two sons for a while, one online and one by phone. Took two hearts from a charm bracelet, two hooks from an old pair of earrings, placed the hearts on the earring hooks and made a new set of earrings for myself. These things made me feel good.

[The_little_didgee]

Mushroom hunting, photography, drawing and jigsaw puzzles usually cheer me up. A visit with my buddy always makes me smile too.

[Nicks_Nose]

Getting rent paid.

[twistbeneathforever]

getting tattooed, enjoying afternoon pho with my best friend, working out and the head tilts my dog gives when I make high pitch noises..makes me smile every time.

I am now less happy.

[Nicks_Nose]

Clearing out the clutter

[winter4me]

This is a nice moment, I am sitting next to an open window, cross-legged at my net book, old, still lively cat perched on the couch back beside me purring (and trying still to teach me to groom, grabs my hand, licks and pushes it against his face), my neglected garden out the window, blowing in the breeze with black-eyed susan. tomatoes, cosmos, coreopsis, morning glories...and the sun is breaking through. I might not walk to work in rain today. (which would be okay if I hadn't lost my umbrella) and, oh my coffee is still hot and I haven't eaten the corn muffin yet. Four full hours before I leave for work No one to answer to.

[izzyfg2000]

finding new music
listening to music
writing
drawing
tea
comfort food
funny youtube videos
netflix
my few close friends
reading a good book
sincere compliments ( given to me, and giving them to others.)
scary stories on reddit

[bronzeowl]

Fun. (the band, not actually having fun haha)
Writing
Tea
A nice fresh cup of coffee
Talking to someone close to me
Being listened to without being told to shut up (I ramble a lot )
Finishing a good book
Listening to Matthew Gray Gubler speak on Criminal Minds (so watching Criminal Minds, I guess)
And the one that helps the most... my dog.