List #2: Instant Pick-Me-Ups

An inevitability of growing older is this: that which once brought you ready comfort as a child might not do the trick anymore. When you're five, a skinned knee can be remedied with a quick kiss and a reassuring smile. That's all it takes. 15 seconds later and you're back to running around, talking to animals and tending to the tiny village you've created to house all the local fairies. How I wish that could solve my present-day 'skinned-knee,' the constant battle to feel content during a time of life that is impossibly confusing. How are you supposed to feel content when you are constantly peppered with questions like: "So, what's next?" or "When do you plan to move out?" or "You're not getting paid?!?!"Answering any of these exhausting inquiries requires thinking about the future, putting a damper on this whole come-what-may-let-the-moose-run thing. It seems that central to the twenty-something condition is the fissure between making the prudent decision to do what is practical and the gnawing desire to find fulfillment in that which is adventurous and invigorating but highly unprofitable. Where's the middle ground? Can I be a sensible adventurer, or does that defeat adventure's point? When I think too hard about any of this I get nowhere, but when I focus on the present I feel like everyone over the age of thirty is waiting for me to make my next move (which is highly unfair because the 30+ crowd is most likely well-established, adjusted, and settled, three things that I am not yet but could be some day). This is where my list comes in: When my head and body become bogged down with the weight of expectations and my good friend the Great Unknown refuses to give me some space, I say fook it and turn to one of these Instant Pick-Me-Ups:

1. Get in the car, blast/sing every word to Natasha Bedingfield's "Unwritten" and luxuriate, for just a moment, in how good such unabashed goofiness feels.

2. Alternately, stand on your bed, put your head phones in and bop to Robyn's "Dancing on My Own," the best breakup/bad day/celebration/stress relief song to ever exist. Thanks, Robyn.

3. Eat a pint of Ben and Jerry's and feel no guilt because you are beautiful and you try your best and you mean well and for that you should be rewarded with the greatest medicine for the soul: ICE CREAM.

4. Write yourself a love letter and hide it in the pocket of something you won't wear for a few months (example: winter jacket if it's July).

5. Put on your favorite pair of sweatpants (or, better yet, who needs pants?!?!?!?), crawl under the covers and watch lots of movie trailers.

6. Make lists of things that make you happy.

7. Watch this beautiful video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IpbDHxCV29A.

8. Go for a long, possibly barefoot walk somewhere quiet.

9. Read old letters/notes/emails from friends, family, lovers, etc.

10. Exercise in some form and then treat yourself (see #3).

I make no promises that this will work for anyone else but myself. Do what works for you and then get back to pondering the twenty-something condition, it will still be there after you finish that pint.