#19

Micropig videos and a billion compliments

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#20

#21

dunno about anyone else, but the last thing I want when I’m down in the dumps are compliments

#22

This is why I’m not a therapist

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#23

you’re doing yourself a disservice, dude. these are EXACTLY the things people need when they’re feeling crappy. not fucking pictures of cats

IMO

#24

Say “cheer up!” repeatedly in an increasingly aggressive manner.

#25

It can be both, those things are important but sometimes just knowing someone is thinking of you, making an effort or whatever (even if it’s not much) it really can mean a lot, and if it’s something that momentarily provides you with a smile it’s worth it. Obviously it depends on what is going on as well.

#26

borrow a dog and take it to them for cuddles

#27

Nah. Some people need to spend time with people who’ll make them laugh and make them feel better. In many instances a distraction can be more beneficial than a challenge.

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#29

play this to them over and over again

#30

true enough, big dog. and also agree with what @elthamsmateowen mentioned too

my post is based purely on my own personal anecdotal evidence

#31

I do this as well - but have had people use me as an unpaid therapist to incessantly whinge at, thanking me loads for the advice that I’ve taken time to think through and share with them, doing the opposite and creating more problems which they whinge at me about, turning it into a vicious, attention-seeking circle.

Obviously sometimes people will ignore advice for better or worse, and maybe I’m just unlucky in picking shit friends, but I’ve had several people really take a toll on my wellbeing by always crying to me and expecting tonnes of emotional support for the problems they keep creating.

Additionally that method doesn’t work for friends with severe mental health issues, so the micropigs are about the best support I can offer without insulting them by coming across as patronising and suggesting naive solutions.

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#32

Also I can’t think of a time in my adult life when I’ve needed cheering up or needed someone else to cheer me up. Just never happens. So unsurprisingly I’m gash at it when others need it.

#33

congratulations on not having to go through the frankly awful peaks and troughs of life!

#34

Oh I go through them the same as anybody else. I just deal with them on my own.

#35

well obviously your peaks and troughs are low key shit and relatively easy to manage. not gonna get into a willy waving contest here, man. let’s park this

peace!

#36

Oh, sorry! I wasn’t suggesting that I’m any different to anyone else in my experiences or that my techniques of coping with the ups and downs of life are better than anyone elses. Whatever gets you through ain’t it. Was just adding context to why I’m personally shit at cheering people up, shot through with boring detail. No willy-waving here.

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#37

yeah bro - I think I got the wrong end of the (your) stick!

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#38

Probably have a good chat with them about the thing that’s upsetting them. Make them feel like they’re being properly listened to and that you’re there for them. Throw in a couple good bants along the way so it’s not all doom and gloom, unless it’s something incredibly serious of course.

Follow that up with a trip to the pub/stay in and watch a film. Either way get a takeaway, the greasiest most indulgently evil one you can find!

#39

I wasn’t coming at it from a curmudgeonly angle, just think there is a weird social pressure to conform to cheeriness that isn’t helpful if you are not feeling cheery

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