Most artists I know expend a terrific deal of time dwelling inside of their possess minds—I for damn guaranteed do. It is uncomplicated to get turned all over in there, stumbling into dark, depressing corners without having a metaphorical flashlight to locate a way back again to your dazzling, content area. When I discover myself slipping into destructive-Nancy land, I make a acutely aware effort to shake off my bummer ‘tude, get shifting and do some factors that bring me pleasure. Here are some of my procedures. Ideally, this checklist will help you out if you are experience down, much too.
Participate in Paul Simon’s “Call Me Al” movie on YouTube and switch the volume up loud enough to rattle some home windows. Go to a coffee shop, come across a location in the corner, and generate down again tales for each other patron detailing how they in shape into the Gilmore Girls universe. Walk all-around your community until finally you see a feral cat, then make up a title for them like “Margaret Scratcher” or “Toe Beans McGuire.” Prepare dinner up a big-ass stir fry with all the goodness. Pop some wheelies on your skateboard or bicycle in the parking whole lot of a strip mall till a safety guard asks you to leave (do so graciously). Burn some Nag Champa incense whilst blasting Gravediggaz’s 1994 basic EP 6 Toes Deep. Go by means of your contacts and mail a pleasant text concept to the person the very least probably to count on it. Brew two teabags of Yerba Mate, steep them for about twenty minutes, pour them about ice, include some mint extract and chug the elixir as rapidly as you can. If you’re a single of all those no-caffeine people today, maybe just drink a cup of lukewarm drinking water and primal scream at a wall. Bury your confront in a cat’s tummy and make motorboat appears. If you are allergic to cats, come across a bunny or a hypoallergenic hedgehog
Assume of your favorite T-shirt from when you have been a child. Make a bootleg edition on a blank shirt with some Sharpies. Make a listing of 30 tattoos you’d under no circumstances get—then read as a result of it and experience grateful that you do not have any of them. Do yoga. Get off your sneakers and socks, toss on some headphones and operate by a grassy area while listening to Black Sabbath’s “The Wizard” on max loudness. Create a limited poem about your favourite regional tree and then go examine it to them earnestly. Close your eyes and visualize two pterodactyls listening to P.M. Dawn although creating a infant pterodactyl. Go to Taco Bell and suggestion the cashier five bucks on a two-dollar get. Change off all of your electrical devices and pay attention to the universe for a hot moment. Ship an anonymous postcard to a close friend complimenting them on their progressive manner perception or awesome hairdo. Set on some workout gear, crank Peter Schilling’s “Major Tom” and dance your ass off in your kitchen whilst applying a wood spoon as a make-believe that microphone. Observe it up with Bowie’s “Space Oddity” if you want additional serotonin unveiled into your bloodstream. Plop your ass down on the couch and view We Jam Econo: The Tale of the Minutemen (trust me on this 1 if almost nothing else).
Notice: I’m not a psychological-overall health expert and by no signifies am I striving to make mild of depression. Remember to seek the advice of a therapist or medical doctor if you’re suffering from intense despondency. —Michael Sieben