Five Specific Coping Mechanisms

1) Listening to Epic Rap Battles of History

As I have mentioned in my “Feel Good Youtube Channels”, Epic Rap Battles of History is a popular Youtube channel that pits celebrities, historical figures, and pop culture characters against each other. If I’m feeling destitute late at night, listening to two powerful people take potshots at each other is a surefire way to make me feel better. My favorite video still remains Pennywise vs. The Joker but that’s only because The Dark Knight is my second favorite superhero movie (after Watchmen) and I love horror movies.

2) Reading aloud to my mom

I love reading. I love reading aloud even more. I love sharing my favorite books with my mom and so far we’ve read dozens of books such as The Happiness Project, Resistance Women, and all seven Harry Potter books. It has created a bond between my mom and me. She usually lets me choose the books, but I’m always open to suggestions.

3) Playing Taylor Swift on the piano

I am more of a punk rock/ metal kind of girl but I love spilling my guts to the piano by performing a heartfelt Taylor Swift ballad or a spunky, sassy song like Better than Revenge. Sometimes when I feel like crying I’ll sing instead. Then I am creating something beautiful instead of just sobbing into my pillow.

4) Writing a poem

Speaking of creating something beautiful…whenever I am choked by emotion, so much so that I can’t even journal or write prose, poetry presents itself. I am able to craft lines that express my pain or gratitude or joy and I feel like I’ve done my feelings justice.

5) Holding Winnie the Pooh

Ever since I was born, I’ve started accumulating Winnie the Poohs- from relatives, from boyfriends, from thrift stores. I’m an addict. I love that smile, that tight red shirt, that yellow fur. I was even Winnie the Pooh for a costume party complete with little bear ears. Sometimes when there is no other solution, I will hold my Winnie the Pooh and cry into his soft fur until it’s damp. Sometimes the best thing to do is to let the feelings out through tears. Sometimes that’s all you can do.