Five Totally Inexpensive, Fail-Safe Ways To Stop Being Sad All The Time (Trust Me, It Works)

To say that June 2015 was one of the saddest months of my life would be the understatement of this millennium. 

Every morning, waking up was sheer torture. Whenever my eyes flew open, I used to have this strong urge to stay there, in my bed forever. I used to stare at the ceiling and I used to desperately wish to stay at home. 

But, since I had my German class to go to, I had to literally force myself to get up, dress up and show up. 

My German class was all the more torturous. I never talked to anybody, except to ask about what's going on. I used to constantly get zoned out, stare into the empty space and just think: I'm in so much deep trouble. 

I felt like I'd failed everybody, especially myself. 

I used to write in my diaries, constantly write about how much I'd drawn into a shell, constantly write about how upset I was with the way things turned out and all I wanted to do was things to turn out well. 

But, as the days passed, I realized that I hated being sad all the time. I realized that I hated being so withdrawn. I realized that I abhorred being so robotic and mechanical. 

I realized that I wanted to live. I realized that I wanted to be myself. Again. 

So, I decided (rather consciously, mind you) that I should focus on being happy instead. 

And I will never say that June 2015 was a bad month. It was actually was one of the most educational, life-changing experiences I've ever had. It made me realize that there was so much I could do, instead of being plain old sad. 

I'm very sure, a lot of you might be sad. You might be sad because you lost a loved one. You might be sad because you didn't get the desired grade you'd expected (like me). You might be sad because you didn't get into the university of your choice. You might be sad because you're burdened and you just desperately want to break out. 

So, here I thought I'd better list out some things that will make you feel better and a hell lot stronger. I did these things and trust me, I felt like I was piecing back into myself again. I felt much better, stronger and improved. 

(Okay, I sound like a chic who does Makeup & OotD videos. But trust me, doing these things is equally invigorating)

1. Write down about your feelings. 

Look, now don't give me an excuse like: I can't write. or Writing is too much work and it's too exhausting. 

I am, in no way, asking you to write a Booker Prize winning bestseller. All I'm asking you is to write down how bad you're feeling. Use whatever language you like, throw in whatever words you like, use similes, metaphors or use nothing at all. 

But write. 

Writing down your thoughts and emotions is one of the best ways to channelize your angst. It makes you feel infinitely better and it makes your head decluttered. Moreover, after writing everything down, you feel ORGANIZED. 

2. Be thankful.

I know, I know. 

This sounds completely stupid. Because hey, your life's practically in shambles and here I am, asking you to thank God. 

In fact, I should be asking you to beat God or curse him or whatever, right? 

Wrong. 

I'm asking you to thank God. Thank Him because you have clothes to wear, food to eat, water to drink and a house to live in. Thank Him because you have your family and friends around you. Thank Him for all the good things that have happened in your life. 

I know, some of you might be disbelieving atheists. So, if you don't want to thank God, you can go ahead and thank the people who've made your life so much better. 

Trust me, thanking someone really makes you feel good because you're showing your gratitude towards them and making them feel special, which in turn makes you happy. 

3. Spend time with your family and friends. 

I think one of the best ways to get through grief is by spending time with the ones you genuinely love and care about. 

When you're at your saddest limit, you see everything as morbid. You see the people around you as fake, you see the blue sky as a dull grey and you have this notion that nothing will work out for you. 

Let's just say that you're shrouded, draped, wrapped, strangled, stifled in negativity. 

That's when your loved ones step in. 

When you meet up with your family and friends, you instantly forget your sorrows. You, on the other hand, focus on the amount of fun you want to have. You realize that there's no point moping when you've got such amazing, positive influences around you. 

As you spend more time with them, you realize that you have so much in life to think about. You have so many people around you who care about you and who you care about. 

Why be sad when you can be happy with them? 

4. Thrust yourself into optimism and all things sunny

This is one of my personal favourite things. 

Whenever I feel sad and I don't want anyone's company, I take my iPad, tap on YouTube and start watching motivational videos. 

As cliche as it may sound, watching motivational videos really empowers you. Seeing those people speak about their struggles, how they overcome it makes you feel that you can do it too. 

Some of the best videos I've come across are these: 

Watching these videos made me feel really happy and really motivated. I hope these videos make you feel better too. 

5. The last and final thing: move on. 

Now, now. 

You've cried your eyes out. You've shared your feelings to your friends and family. You've written about your fears and all and you've watched about a ton of motivational videos. 

I think it's about time that you move on, eh? 

I think it's about time that you wipe that sadness away, stand up straight and take the world by storm, eh? 

So come on, get ready to show the world what you're made of. 

I hope this helps you out in some way or the other. 

Stay awesome as ever,

Much love, 

Archie <3