Life in general seems to be slighty negative depending how you look at the world. However, we all have ups and downs, and I thought it'd be uplifting to share ways to make you feel good and happy, rather than post some negative topic.

One of the best ways to cheer myself up is to realize there is someone out there that is worse off than you are. I personally knew someone who has a wife and child to support, is gloomy and depressed, puts himself down, spends his entire paycheck on videogames, can only make friends when they're taking advantage of his kindness, and is generally the kind of guy who mopes around all day complaining.

Now, I'm no rocket scientist, but I can tell you my life is far better off than his. And that comforts me to know I'm not gloomy or overly depressed all day every day.

And what do you guys do to cheer yourself (or others) up?


[spoiler]I wonder if anyone will catch that joke in the subtitle.[/spoiler]

I caught the joke... SMRPG

anyway, I usually just do something that takes my mind away from such thoughts.

That way of thinking is known as schadenfreude.

And it lossely translates from German to "happiness at the misfortune of others".

Personally, I do not agree at this way of thinking. Generally because I don't like trying to make myself seem better than anyone else on this Earth. I'm not so pompus as to say, "I'm better than you".

Not only that, making note of what you aren't going through doesn't change what is actually going on in your life right now. So it really doesn't help anything at all in the long run.

I just don't like being blissful ignorant... or something.

I agree with lantis..

Facts has a good idea about taking your mind off your problems.

Sigh.. But your problems will always be there when you get back. Kinda like when you drink and people say, the answers to your problems are not at the bottom of the bottle.

But that's what life is all about. Problems.. So.. I guess it really don't matter what you do. Because it's kinda a losing battle. You will fix one problem and then theres always something else to come along and make you sad again.

Just do what ever you want that makes you happy. As long as you don't end up in jail or the hospital. I say it's all good.

Easy. A cold Dew and a bag of Doritos.

I agree with Lantis that Shadenfreude is not the way to go. It may work, but IMO thinking like that is being an idiot. No offense meant to you.

You know what I think works best? Laugh. Just laugh. "Laughing is the best medicine", the saying goes. And indeed it is.
Not only laugh, but read or watch stuff that makes you smile. It doesn't have to be funny, it just needs to make you smile.

Want practical suggestions?

www.youtube.com/whoselinepro will make you laugh. I'm absolutely sure it will.

Now I think this one is just me... but try reading the Yu Yu Hakusho manga (not watching the anime). That makes me smile... for days and days and days.

Use of this specific statement in the particular context it was used is evidence that this statement is false.

Having said that, I never really understood why people are so against those that are pompous.

If Schadenfreude makes you feel better 1ce, then what can I say except that most people won't feel bad for you when everyone else is fine and you are down, and if they still do (because they are positively empathetic) then in a way you are lucky they aren't like you.

Ouch. Getting denied from all sides.

Things that cheer me up? One of them is just talk to a friend (not just any friend, more specifically my best friend), let them know what's going in my mind. Even if he can't help me, I feel much better after getting anything I have off my chest.
The second one is hanging with children. Really, few things cheer me up as much as being with 3-4 year old kids, that think I can't catch them if I run, or that asks me to give them a piggyback ride.

A good night's sleep makes me feel about 90-100% better, depending on the problem.

Maybe it's my mode of thinking, but I see nothing wrong with using belittlement to feel better. In most cases when I use this to feel better, I don't directly tell that other person. In only one case have I told that to someone i their face, and they shrugged it off. They probably felt it and never really spoke about it, but who cares?

In response to your last paragraph Bo, most people don't seem to give a fig about me no matter what I do. If I'm the nicest guy around, I get no bonus points. And if I'm down, nobody tries to cheer me up. Not even family really cares if I'm depressed or not, just saying things like "that's life".

So why should I really care?

(And yeah, usually I'm not this outspoken or passionate about topics like these on a forum. That's because I usually care what people think of me online. And right now I don't really give a fig).

@1ce

I'm not saying you "should" care.

For me though, I prefer to figure out how I want to be, not what others want me to be or "make" me be and then work toward being it.

If you are happy (or content) belittling, then belittle.

Is that how you WANT to be? If so fine.

some years back i took a hard look at myself and realized i was not happy. i decided then and there that it was my attitude that sucked. since then ive tried to look positively at life yet remain grounded with realistic expectations. what i got was a more cynical humor, a critical eye, and an upbeat fire to succeed.

i work like a phoenix, i over extend myself and become totally miserable and crash. when im at that point i rely on friends and people i know to plump me up, i rely on rest and a break to recharge my energy, then i get right back out there and keep going.


attitude is everything, i cannot stress that enough. if you look at life through a jaded eye then you wont ever be satisfied or happy with it. change the perspective you look at the world. you dont have to be innocently happy but you can at least be supportive of others and see that the world is not just a big flaming pile of crap.

the world is filled with challenge, rise up to meet it.

This is all that is needed to feel better. If for some reason it doesn't, there are bullets behind the counter.

The idea of having sex with Ix may help some of you. Or the idea of not having sex with Ix will help.

ahh, so thats how you became president of the mag. i just cant think of ix that way, its too creepy, and hes more man then i can handle.

^Um no, I got voted in by all the other members.

And I really don't know much about Ix for my self to really feel that way towards him so...