C'mon, get happy
November 4, 2014 9:47 AM Subscribe
I am in a pretty emotionally difficult time in my life. (I'm in the midst of a season of high stakes interviews, and my finances right now are rather limited.) I've got access to professional help, so I'm all covered there, but I think it would be helpful to have a list that I can turn to on a regular basis of easy to do things that are 1) free or very low cost, 2) outside my apartment, and 3) schedule-independent* to help me keep my spirits up during this difficult time. Any suggestions?
*One of the things that is making this fall particularly difficult is that my class, interview, and work schedule prevent me from making many plans in advance, and often prevent me from getting together with friends because I am working when most other people do their socializing. MeFi meetups would be a perfect pick-me-up, for example, but beyond the meetups that I host in my home, they are almost always scheduled when I am not free.
*One of the things that is making this fall particularly difficult is that my class, interview, and work schedule prevent me from making many plans in advance, and often prevent me from getting together with friends because I am working when most other people do their socializing. MeFi meetups would be a perfect pick-me-up, for example, but beyond the meetups that I host in my home, they are almost always scheduled when I am not free.
Response by poster: Oh, yeah, I meant to say: I live in Brooklyn, NY. It is probably worth keeping in mind that getting to much of Manhattan takes me 30-45 minutes (or more) so suggestions for things that don't require me to go to Manhattan are particularly appreciated.
posted by ocherdraco at 9:57 AM on November 4, 2014
posted by ocherdraco at 9:57 AM on November 4, 2014
Response by poster: And one more clarifying point: I'm particularly looking for things that I can do in between bouts of work. So, relatively short activities, rather than things that take all afternoon.
posted by ocherdraco at 10:01 AM on November 4, 2014
posted by ocherdraco at 10:01 AM on November 4, 2014
Nonsense NYC is a great list for hearing about upcoming events, often free or inexpensive, as well as becoming more aware of interesting places that host events/are fun/interesting.
The Skint might work a bit better, since you could learn about things happening on the same day that you happen to have some free time.
posted by brackish.line at 10:02 AM on November 4, 2014
The Skint might work a bit better, since you could learn about things happening on the same day that you happen to have some free time.
posted by brackish.line at 10:02 AM on November 4, 2014
This is for a three minute break: take the hugest breaths you can into your mouth slowly, hold them for like three seconds with your eyes closed then breath them out on a five count.
posted by spunweb at 10:03 AM on November 4, 2014
posted by spunweb at 10:03 AM on November 4, 2014
Buy yourself a bunch of $5 gift certificates for your favorite fancy coffee or tea shop, and subscribe to a magazine you really like. Either something with amazing photos to lose yourself in or deep articles to read. When you have a break in your schedule, grab one of the gift certificates and one of the magazines and head out. Take a walk to a beautiful area, then go to the cafe and read.
If you have a Kindle or a tablet, instead of subscribing to a magazine, you could use either Instapaper or Readability, and fill up your kindle/tablet with long form articles or short stories, which would be even cheaper.
posted by OrangeDisk at 10:03 AM on November 4, 2014 [4 favorites]
If you have a Kindle or a tablet, instead of subscribing to a magazine, you could use either Instapaper or Readability, and fill up your kindle/tablet with long form articles or short stories, which would be even cheaper.
posted by OrangeDisk at 10:03 AM on November 4, 2014 [4 favorites]
Identify the closest patch of green space to your office or apartment, even if its pretty small or not that nice, and go there. As a bonus, have a go-to activity you do when you go there that takes minimal preparation and equipment (walk, sketch or write, watch some activity other people are often doing there, sit on a nice bench and call a friend or family member.) Make it the same activity every time so you get out the door and don't get trapped by decision-making.
posted by juliapangolin at 10:06 AM on November 4, 2014 [2 favorites]
posted by juliapangolin at 10:06 AM on November 4, 2014 [2 favorites]
Birdwatching. You don't need binoculars. It's pretty soothing to find a park or a yard with some trees and get to know the regular bird visitors, particularly somewhere where they like to look for food or where there's a feeder. You can find a cheap bird guide at any used book store, but if you watch in the same place, you'll see the same suspects and you'll start to recognize them even if you don't know their names.
You could take along a sketchpad and some drawing pencils and sketch a bird or two each time, just for fun. Or just sit and enjoy them going about their business.
To get you started, little brown sparrows are gregarious and live in fairly large and boisterous flocks with a lot of interbirdinal interaction, in any spot they can find a little green space. Moreover, they allow other birds to flock with them, so you'll see bird that are typically in mated pairs (like cardinals or goldfinches) or who fly solo or in smaller flocks (snowbirds, chickadees) hang out with the sparrows while the sparrows eat ... less competition for food, more warning of predators. It's interesting to watch whether the other birds ignore the sparrows or shoo them away if they get too boisterous or if they pretend to be sparrows themselves or what. It's a whole little society to watch. These little songbirds mostly aren't too scared of humans so if you sit quietly and don't make sudden moves they'll happily approach you within 3 feet or so, so you definitely don't need binoculars. I sit about six feet from my feeder and read a book ... that's far enough that they don't mind too much when I raise my head to look at them.
posted by Eyebrows McGee at 10:09 AM on November 4, 2014 [3 favorites]
You could take along a sketchpad and some drawing pencils and sketch a bird or two each time, just for fun. Or just sit and enjoy them going about their business.
To get you started, little brown sparrows are gregarious and live in fairly large and boisterous flocks with a lot of interbirdinal interaction, in any spot they can find a little green space. Moreover, they allow other birds to flock with them, so you'll see bird that are typically in mated pairs (like cardinals or goldfinches) or who fly solo or in smaller flocks (snowbirds, chickadees) hang out with the sparrows while the sparrows eat ... less competition for food, more warning of predators. It's interesting to watch whether the other birds ignore the sparrows or shoo them away if they get too boisterous or if they pretend to be sparrows themselves or what. It's a whole little society to watch. These little songbirds mostly aren't too scared of humans so if you sit quietly and don't make sudden moves they'll happily approach you within 3 feet or so, so you definitely don't need binoculars. I sit about six feet from my feeder and read a book ... that's far enough that they don't mind too much when I raise my head to look at them.
posted by Eyebrows McGee at 10:09 AM on November 4, 2014 [3 favorites]
Is there a dog park near you? It seems like it could be a nice stress reliever to go to a park and just watch all the puppies play together. Of course, this is less useful if you're not an animal person.
In general, though, just a quick walk around the block really helps clear my head.
posted by litera scripta manet at 10:12 AM on November 4, 2014
In general, though, just a quick walk around the block really helps clear my head.
posted by litera scripta manet at 10:12 AM on November 4, 2014
I always suggest Pandora's comedy channels for mood boosting situations. It's free. It's available anytime. They have several genres from adult to family friendly, classics to contemporary so you can choose depending on your tastes. Do you have internet access on your phone? Go outside, sit somewhere nice and put one headphone in. Or go buy a coffee/tea/Italian soda and use both headphones.
When I am cranky on my 40 minute commute, I turn on a comedy channel and by the time I get to work, I've been laughing for 40 minutes and the endorphins have kicked in and I'm feeling so much better than when I left.
Good luck!
posted by Beti at 10:14 AM on November 4, 2014 [6 favorites]
When I am cranky on my 40 minute commute, I turn on a comedy channel and by the time I get to work, I've been laughing for 40 minutes and the endorphins have kicked in and I'm feeling so much better than when I left.
Good luck!
posted by Beti at 10:14 AM on November 4, 2014 [6 favorites]
Go for a walk in Prospect Park.
Do it every day.
Spend half of it thinking about something that made you happy that day.
Spend the other half thinking about something you're grateful that day.
posted by entropone at 10:15 AM on November 4, 2014 [2 favorites]
Do it every day.
Spend half of it thinking about something that made you happy that day.
Spend the other half thinking about something you're grateful that day.
posted by entropone at 10:15 AM on November 4, 2014 [2 favorites]
I made a Pinterest board with the cutest puppies I've ever seen. Whenever I need a pick-me-up I take five minutes and get lost in the cute. Other ideas could be an inspiration board, a "places I'd like to travel to" board, or some other theme personal to you that gives you a lift.
posted by stampsgal at 10:19 AM on November 4, 2014 [4 favorites]
posted by stampsgal at 10:19 AM on November 4, 2014 [4 favorites]
Have you considered listening to heavy metal? The music saved my life when I was suicidal — not that I'm suggesting you're in such dire straits yourself. Put together a playlist on your phone, get yourself some headphones, and just go walkin'.
posted by starbreaker at 10:22 AM on November 4, 2014 [1 favorite]
posted by starbreaker at 10:22 AM on November 4, 2014 [1 favorite]
Ride your bicycle around Prospect Park.
posted by Obscure Reference at 10:35 AM on November 4, 2014
posted by Obscure Reference at 10:35 AM on November 4, 2014
This is going to sound a little silly, but when I feel blue, I like to watch this two-minute video of dogs playing in the snow. It is so different from my day-to-day, and so overwhelmingly happy, and also tangibly real and genuine... it's a perfect reminder that there is some good stuff out there, and that it's pretty accessible to me, and that I won't always feel stressed out.
In fact, I will go watch it right now.
posted by samthemander at 11:05 AM on November 4, 2014 [3 favorites]
In fact, I will go watch it right now.
posted by samthemander at 11:05 AM on November 4, 2014 [3 favorites]
A podcast and a walk is my go-to for this exact thing. Find some that you like and subscribe to them, and whenever you have a break pop in your headphones and just start walking. My job has a weird, unpredictable schedule (often with weird, unpredictable travel) and it's really calming to have the same podcasts every week no matter where I am or what I'm doing.
posted by justjess at 11:12 AM on November 4, 2014
posted by justjess at 11:12 AM on November 4, 2014
+1 says he could drop by for a boardgame or two sometime if that'd be a good sort of break. You know where to find him.
posted by ferret branca at 11:27 AM on November 4, 2014
posted by ferret branca at 11:27 AM on November 4, 2014
While I was unemployed, when I was bored, broke, and lonely, I'd go to the library. There are, as I'm sure you know, endless possibilities in a library. Books, videos, music, etc.
posted by MexicanYenta at 11:55 AM on November 4, 2014 [3 favorites]
posted by MexicanYenta at 11:55 AM on November 4, 2014 [3 favorites]
Crossword puzzles. You can get a crossword-only membership to NYTimes for $7/month. It includes access to all of the puzzles from the past 20 years, which you could then print out, if $7/month is too costly right now.
posted by unknowncommand at 12:24 PM on November 4, 2014
posted by unknowncommand at 12:24 PM on November 4, 2014
Post crossing: postcards are cheap, fun to shop for, and quick to write. Adds the activity "check for mail!", real mail always cheers me up (even if just a magazine subscription).
I also like going to the park to watch kids and dogs. Go to the farmers market, try all the free samples, and people watch.
Are you a cat person? Do a YouTube search for 'Maru' ;)
Check out Jane McGonigal's TED talks and the website SuperBetter... All about little things you can do to build resilience (like stretch, go for a walk, look at puppies).
posted by jrobin276 at 1:23 PM on November 4, 2014 [2 favorites]
I also like going to the park to watch kids and dogs. Go to the farmers market, try all the free samples, and people watch.
Are you a cat person? Do a YouTube search for 'Maru' ;)
Check out Jane McGonigal's TED talks and the website SuperBetter... All about little things you can do to build resilience (like stretch, go for a walk, look at puppies).
posted by jrobin276 at 1:23 PM on November 4, 2014 [2 favorites]
Walking while listening to youtube audio of The Unbelievable Truth. Your library probably has audiobooks that are very funny - Miranda Hart got me through a hospital stay - that you can listen to while walking.
Decorate your house. Don't clean but use twenty minutes to style a shelf or arrange books on a coffee table or fold clothes like a store, something that makes your space frivolously nicer.
posted by viggorlijah at 3:27 PM on November 4, 2014
Decorate your house. Don't clean but use twenty minutes to style a shelf or arrange books on a coffee table or fold clothes like a store, something that makes your space frivolously nicer.
posted by viggorlijah at 3:27 PM on November 4, 2014
Response by poster: Thank you for all of these wonderful suggestions!
posted by ocherdraco at 8:10 PM on November 4, 2014
posted by ocherdraco at 8:10 PM on November 4, 2014
[This answer is NSF insect/arachnophobes, skip this if you're phobic!]
This is definitely not for everybody, but it fits all of your requirements and it works for me, so I'll throw it out there: I absolutely LOVE going outside to hunt for bugs. Insects, spiders, snails, mites, invertebrates of all kinds are right outside your door even if you're in the middle of a city. If you can deal with creepy-crawlies well enough to not run screaming and can actually look at them for a few moments, they're absolutely fascinating, often beautiful, available in your area (100% guaranteed, offer not valid in Antarctica), and you can spend as little or as long as you like traipsing about lifting up rocks (be sure to put them back afterward) and turning over leaves and poking about in damp spots. You don't even have to feel pressured to know anything about them or to learn taxonomy (though I often go online later to try and identify beasties I've seen because I'm curious) - just hunt, find, admire, and move on. I find it takes me away from myself in a marvellous way, and the mental and physical effort required to find creatures, while not huge at all, sharpens and focuses me. You have to cultivate a keen eye and a bit of patience and a feel for where you're most likely to find critters. And bonus, if your schedule is severely wonky, all the best bugs are out at night!
posted by po at 5:30 AM on November 5, 2014
This is definitely not for everybody, but it fits all of your requirements and it works for me, so I'll throw it out there: I absolutely LOVE going outside to hunt for bugs. Insects, spiders, snails, mites, invertebrates of all kinds are right outside your door even if you're in the middle of a city. If you can deal with creepy-crawlies well enough to not run screaming and can actually look at them for a few moments, they're absolutely fascinating, often beautiful, available in your area (100% guaranteed, offer not valid in Antarctica), and you can spend as little or as long as you like traipsing about lifting up rocks (be sure to put them back afterward) and turning over leaves and poking about in damp spots. You don't even have to feel pressured to know anything about them or to learn taxonomy (though I often go online later to try and identify beasties I've seen because I'm curious) - just hunt, find, admire, and move on. I find it takes me away from myself in a marvellous way, and the mental and physical effort required to find creatures, while not huge at all, sharpens and focuses me. You have to cultivate a keen eye and a bit of patience and a feel for where you're most likely to find critters. And bonus, if your schedule is severely wonky, all the best bugs are out at night!
posted by po at 5:30 AM on November 5, 2014
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by Flood at 9:55 AM on November 4, 2014 [1 favorite]