When you have depression, something people often tell you to do is look for things you are grateful for in life. It’s apparently impossible to feel depressed when you are full of gratitude and thankfulness.
I have gone through stages the last few years of keeping a gratitude journal, having a running list on my phone of things I’m grateful for, or had an album of pictures on my phone of things that make me happy. When I was doing those things, I did notice a slight shift in my mental health.
Things that bring me happiness in no particular order:
- Music. It is very rare that I don’t have music playing. It’s playing at work. It’s playing in the car. It’s playing as I get ready for the day. I listen to such a variety of music, I never know what song or genre will play next. It just makes me happy.
- Sunrises/Sunsets. They make me especially happy when they take place at the beach. The rising and setting of the sun reminds me of the Lord’s faithfulness. A beginning of a new day is a reminder that He’s not done with me yet, and He still has plans for me.
- Hoodies. They’ve become almost like a comfort item for me. Immediately after my brother died, I was constantly triggered and full of anxiety over all of the things. For whatever reason, a hoodie helped when the inevitable anxiety hit. Almost 4 years later, they still serve the same purpose. Hot. Cold. Rainy. A hoodie won’t be far from me.
- This is one is a surprise for me. Reading/listening to audiobooks. I used to HATE reading. Probably because my reading comprehension was trash. I enjoy reading the Bible. It’s crucial in my walk with the Lord. I enjoy reading books that help me grow and heal. I don’t enjoy all of the books, but knowing the contents will help brings me happiness. I enjoy listening to audiobooks of all varieties. Nonfiction is my go to though. I love hearing stories of real people and what they’ve overcome.
- Sweet Tea. Being born and raised in the south, I enjoy and appreciate a good glass of sweet tea. I’ve recently started limiting how much non water drinks I have in a day. So when I have that sweet tea… man, it just hits differently and brings so much happiness to a work day.
Some honorable mentions being- therapy, Dallas Cowboys, pizza movie nights, dogs, math problems, and playing the guitar. Happiness can be found in more than those 5 things and the honorable mentions above. I’m grateful for that fact. 2 years had you asked me for 5 things, I might have been able to list 2. I’m grateful for growth. I’m grateful for healing. Grateful for the things- big and small- that bring me happiness.
Grief. Going. Healing. 
Leave a comment