If you’re anywhere near my age of 27, you know who Lizzie McAlpine is. I have gotten into a singer-songwriter cycle where I listen to Lizzie and Gracie Abrams and pretend that I’m in some Indie movie where I couldn’t be bothered to have a love interest. I could groove and jam out to ceilings for hours on end. Some of Lizzie’s songs—Doomsday, for example—can get me in my emotions a little too much, and boom, I’m in a slump. “I would’ve married you if you’d have stuck around” at the bridge does exactly what a bridge should do: gut you. McAlpine is a wonderful songwriter, and I can’t get enough. However, sometimes I need to get out of my deep and oftentimes depressed emotions for a bit and consciously think of things that I am thankful for. So, let’s do that little exercise together:

Things I’m Thankful For:
1. Harper — my dog. She is my pride and joy, and I audibly tell her and others this many times a day.
2. My friends — I live with some of my best friends, and I’m within walking distance of others. Even though it takes me a little bit to let my walls down and accept help/love from others, I know that they’ll be there for me when I need it.
3. My family — My mom will talk me through my many mid-life crises, my sisters are always there to read my latest writing pieces and offer advice, and my little nieces and nephews just fill me up with so much joy when I see videos and pictures of them.
4. My job — I’m finally in a job that I enjoy and am grateful for. I work with some fun characters, and it’s a lot of clerical work which is weirdly lovely.
5. I’m not in a reading slump (currently).

Readers, try that. Think of 3-5 things that you’re thankful for. I promise that it’ll do some good.

Reagan Fleming