You know, today has been the happiest I've felt in a while. I got to help my mom with some chores, we had a really good driving lesson (I'm gonna get that license just you wait), and I made some really tasty pasta.

Usually I don't like the rain, as it can trigger my seasonal depression really bad, but today I feel very at peace with it. It's mostly been a steady rain, unlike the big storms we've been getting recently. It's a good thing, because the thunder has been scaring my dog, and I feel really bad that I can't do much about it. The rain has also been cooling things off, and overall helping with the humidity, which is sincerely welcome.

This is gonna sound strange, but I think me starting a new game has really helped me get out of this funk I've kinda been trapped in. I recently started Moon, a really sweet and cozy RPG. The whole thing is about spreading love everywhere, and finding joy in the little things in life. It's something I very much need a reminder of, to slow down and take the world in.

You see, the other thing about my "funk" is that I keep expecting for things to just make me feel happy again. But when it somehow doesn't give me the serotonin boost I need, I get all depressed... I needed something to remind me to enjoy smaller, more simpler things, so I can better appreciate when big moments come to me. Playing Moon and being reminded of the feeling of love and wonder, it's really boosted my mood the past few days.

I don't see this often, but I feel like there are certain people who would say that you shouldn't romanticize things, that it's a bad coping mechanism, or it can create a sort of "ignorance is bliss" mentality. I think that's a load of shit. Doing things simply because they make you happy or because it makes you feel good should be something that everyone should partake in. Wallowing in the negativity will not lead to anything productive, I promise you.

Here are a list of things that I find pure love and joy in doing:

• Going for long walks
• Making really good food
• Having my windows open
• Cuddling with my dog and cats
• Looking at trinkets in thrift stores
• Playing my vinyl/CDs really loudly
• Lighting some candles
• Sticking my hands in wet mud
• Drinking a warm mug of hot chocolate
• Talking to my friends for hours (even if I only have a few in my life right now)
• Hugging my pillow
• Dressing up nice
• Wrapping myself in a blanket cocoon-style
• Picking flowers

I'm telling you man, you gotta romanticize life. You can only be so cynical and nihilistic before it just becomes a slog.