I’m mostly referring to my magic-making toolbox to write this post, FYI.
Ways to focus on the now, conjure what you want, and stop worrying:
1. As Jessica Mullen recommends: count in your head. One, two, three, four… Get up to eight and start back at one, or just keep going for as long as you want. It’s hard to worry too much when you’re focused on numbers.
2. Meditate. Get a good meditation soundtrack, something soft and probably with rain sounds in the background, and put that on. Set up dim lighting if you’ve got it. Close your eyes, or look at a flickering candle flame. Focus on the sounds, sights, smells, sensations around you. Focus on the way your breath feels going in and out of your nose or your lungs. Focus on your heartbeat and the way your body feels from the inside. When random thoughts come into your head, notice them and gently let them pass - don’t force them out, don’t beat yourself up, just let them go. Gradually this gets easier. Set a timer for 5 minutes, or 10, or however many you think you’d like to do.
3. Look around you and make a mental list of things that are awesome about this moment. These things can be as mundane as “my feet feel wonderful in these nice warm socks.” If you’re really at a loss, try things like, “I’m not blind.” “My body is intact.” “I have a roof over my head.” Go from there.
4. Close your eyes and conjure the feeling of ecstatic joy. I find it easiest to create the physical feeling of joy (e.g. stomach butterflies, shivers of delight), but you might find it works better for you to start from emotional stimulus (e.g. visualizations of exciting events from the past or future). Stay in that space for as long as possible.
5. Make up a list of affirmations which resonate powerfully for you, and then yell them joyfully. (It depends on what you’re trying to manifest or work on, but some good ones are: “I am sexy and beautiful!” “I attract love everywhere I go!” “My body is magnificent!” “I have more money than I know what to do with!” See Louise L. Hay’s brilliant book You Can Heal Your Life for many, many more.)
6. Make a written gratitude list. I don’t know why a gratitude mindset is easier to achieve through writing, but it is. Start every sentence with “I am so grateful…” I aim to fill up a page every day with this kind of writing, preferably soon after I wake up, so it’ll set the tone for the rest of the day. (Depending on my mood, I also like to start sentences like this: “I love…” “Wouldn’t it be nice…?” “I want…” “FUCK YEAH…!”)
7. Do something that feels physically good - cuddle with a pet, take a hot bath, masturbate, do yoga, whatever - and really focus on those nice sensations. Notice the details of the way you’re feeling. How would you describe those feelings in words?
8. Make something with your hands. Something creative and preferably something that will make someone else feel good, like a thank-you card, a love letter, or a portrait. Sit in a comfortable place with your favorite creativity supplies, put on some good music, and get to work. Focus fully on your project until it’s finished, and then bask in the glorious feeling of accomplishment.
9. Set up a Tumblog - it can be private or password-protected, if you’d prefer - and for a whole month, document everything that makes you happy. Take photos of excellent meals. Write bragadocious posts about how great you are. Describe your magnificent outfits. Make videos of yourself shakin’ your bootay. Note the silly conversations you have with friends. Whatever makes you feel good during that month, keep it all in one place, and refer back to it whenever you need a pick-me-up.
10. Make a playlist of songs that ALWAYS make you feel awesome. (Here’s mine!) Go through your whole music library; do a really thorough job of seeking out the perfect songs. Then listen to the whole playlist while congratulating yourself on your awesome musical taste.
11. Make a list of 50-100 things you can do to cheer yourself up - things that you know work for you. Post the list someplace where you’ll see it a lot, like in the front of your planner or on your bedroom mirror. Refer to it when necessary.
12. When you have a problem you need to solve, a bad mood you need to get out of, an epiphany you need to stumble upon, or are just bored, go for a walk. Don’t bring your headphones, don’t obsessively check your phone. Just be alone with your thoughts and the rhythm of your steps for a while. See what comes into your head.
13. When all else fails, snuggle up under a blanket, put on a movie or TV show that never fails to make you laugh, and recede into the oblivion of comedy for a bit. You’ll feel better when you come back to real life afterward. (Naps also work well for this purpose.)