letters in the box

for when you don't know why

Are you sad?
Let's start with this, you're sad, and you obviously don't know why. So have you told someone? A trusted friend? An understanding parent? A loving sibling?

Easiest thing for someone else to say," Turn that frown upside down! "
It's not that easy, I know.
Or they're also like," Just be happy! "
That's a lot easier said than done.

Ignore all those people, they're not really listening to you. How do you explain what's going on in your head when you don't even understand it yourself?
You're unhappy, whether it's because of your body, your grades, relationships, anything, you're not content and you're currently questioning everything. First off, just take a deep breath, or a couple, definitely a couple, and settle down. If you're crying, just take a couple breaths, and close your eyes. I know people say this, but you're okay. Just relax your muscles and look up at the ceiling. Focus on something in the room that you're in, or try some light music (preferably some upbeat music, nothing with a negative message)
Think about something that makes you happy, or smile, or laugh. Laughter is the best way to increase your mood.

If you're a depressed sad, write some things down. I always write my sadness into poems, and before I know it, I'm focused on something other than whatever I was breaking down about. Find some markers and draw, it's a distracter. Now, I'm not bringing science into this, it's just a suggestion. The different colors and the pictures put your focus and thoughts into something other than worrying about curling up in a ball and crying.

If you're a sad angry, write down a letter, and then rip it up. Life becomes a lot easier when you accept apologies you never got. Don't hold grudges. Write your anger down and then be done with it. You'll find yourself continuing to think about it next time. It'll stay in the back of your mind and tear you down. It only makes you worse.

If you need some alone time, just put your headphones in and listen to the words, the beats, the background singers, the guitar, the piano. Focus on something other than yourself. Sometimes if I'm just needing to be alone, I will listen to my sad playlist, because the lyrics are relatable, they prove I'm not alone, I'm not the only person who thinks these thoughts and feels this way. That does help you, but it can also destroy you. Don't listen to breakup songs during a tough breakup. Overcome it, and get over it. It's all you can do. Replaying it in your mind only leads to regret.

I know these are all easier said than done, but remember happiness isn't a destination, it's a feeling only you can control.  You have to be happy cause you want to be. I guess I'm just trying to say, you have to change your mood and attitude, and only you can do that.

It all starts with some deep breaths and practice.