Depends on whether your debating two possible courses of action or telling yourself to STFU, no *you* STFU, no YOU! et cetera...

It was more like me telling myself off for thinking stupid thoughts. So what's your final decision, am I?

I would say, no. Having an argument with yourself to get yourself to stay out of a stupid situation is actually a good way to keep you from doing something stupid.

Well now I'm relieved, you're absolutely right! I better not derail the thread, so other things that relax me is shopping, weed, and websites like notalwaysright.com.

I guess I have various ways to de-stress, to force myself to change my outlook, or just generally make myself feel better.

As a smoker, theres always the obvious, short-term "fix" that actually does help but only in certain high-pressure, stressful environments. For example, I have a background in call centres and I can't tell you the amount of times over the years I have thrown down a headset in a fit of rage and stormed outside for a smoke and to slow down. It doesn't fix anything in the long run but it enables you to keep going.

The other unhealthy one would be drinking, but theres nothing like going out with mates and getting smashed to seperate yourself from reality for a brief period after an eventful, stressful week. Or even day.

I also use music, but what I listen depends on how I'm feeling because I tend to either use something soft, relaxing, uplifting and beautiful and other times I might some death or black metal on, the most angry, disgusting album I can think of.

Daft comedy films and/or sitcoms often do the trick though. Theres definitely something to be said for anything or anyone that can make you laugh, even when you are down and miserable.

I defy anyone to be sad after seeing this:

I tend to head on over to youtube for the feel goods.

I can go into any DailyGrace video and have her crack me up.
A little douchebaggery from Kassem G does the trick as well.
Swoozie is a cool dude that cheers me up also.

When it comes to movies, I go straight for Weekend at Bernies 1 and 2. I prefer the second one though because it reminds me of where my parents are from.

If I want to feel good about something, I listen to music, and vent my negativity with mental scenarios. When I want to think about a positive future, I can only think of making amazing music like some of my favorite musicians. I think about how amazing an idea with in music can be, and I've been latched onto the idea of nature within music. I long to make something with that theme, I feel like I would achieve a massive sense of fulfillment, I would be happy making something with my own hands and the sounds around me.

I also like to read about John Cage, he had really sincere views on sound and music. He has to be the happiest person besides the Dali Lama that I can think of, and I wish I had his views on the world. He had a sense of fulfillment with the things around him, yet he was able to blur the line between sound and music. Listening to him in interviews also make me really happy, almost teary-eyed, and it gives me hope.

These are all really good. :]
I hope everyone is reading the posts of other members!

I went for a run in the rain today! It felt so great when I got back!

That's great, I came home one day in the pouring rain and I had nothing to protect me from it. So, I let myself get wet and danced around in it and my flatmates laughed at my willingness to get wet. It can be really fun. I kissed in the rain once too, that was romantic.