I moved out of the city in 2021 in the middle of the pandemic to a town in the mountains of the San Bernadino forest. I needed to get out the city. Living in the city adds a layer of stress you grow to ignore the longer you live there. It becomes normal hearing sirens all day, helicopters flying over head, never ending traffic jams, and drug addicts shooting up on the street outside of luxury apartment buildings.
That’s not normal in any stretch of the imagination, your nervous system just has to tell itself it’s normal so you’re not riddled with anxiety and paranoia everyday, it’s a sort of self preservation mechanism for living amongst so many overwhelmingly foul things.
If you live in the city, you understand. If you don’t live in the city, don’t consider moving there unless your work is making you. I always looked at Los Angeles, or major cities in general as working towns. They happen to be places where you can find high paying nice jobs in the creative industry.
I mean I can’t tell you what to do, move there if you want, but I’m telling you as inflation spirals out of control, and looting becoming normal, and addicts start following you down the street because you smell good or they spotted your iPhone, be prepared to defend yourself.
So enough doom speak, I’m building a chicken coop! There’s an area under my house that would make a perfect chicken coop, I just need to build out some walls and install a door to keep predators out of it.
I enjoy house projects. A lot of people will complain about fixing things in their home or the work it takes to keep up a house, but not me. I think these projects are fun. Being productive even if it means nothing to anyone else but you helps keep the doom away, so to speak.
I eat eggs. It accounts for a small percentage of my grocery budget (if I’m even budgeting). I like my eggs organic and cage free, which in the grocery store happens to be a little pricey. In the state of California, they’re about $7.00 for a dozen. There are even fancier eggs at the store that are priced at $11.49, almost $1.00 an egg.
Now if you’re spending a dollar on an egg and can afford it, you don’t really care, but if you’re spending $1 on an egg and are eating 2 eggs a day, thats $60 a month on eggs! I’m sure you’d rather use that toward something else.
The price of building a chicken coop, feeding them, the cost of the chicks themselves and putting up fencing so that they don’t escape the yard has nearly added up to $600. Consider that an investment though, and an asset of happiness to be honest.
In a world where you’re worried about AI taking everyones job and enslaving mankind or WW111 or CBDC’s or worse, happiness is something you need to grant yourself now more than ever.
So what is the formula for happiness? How do we go from feeling depressed to feeling happy?
I don’t think it’s too obscure of an answer. Human’s have been figuring this out since the beginning of time. Getting happy just takes work, it’s not a default state some people have and some people don’t, and if you ask ChatGPT what makes human’s happy, it’ll say:
Happiness is a complex emotion, and the factors that contribute to happiness can vary greatly from person to person. However, there are some general strategies that can help promote happiness in humans:
- Positive relationships: Building strong, supportive relationships with friends and family can contribute to happiness. Being able to share experiences, provide support, and receive support can enhance emotional well-being.
- Physical health: Taking care of one’s body through regular exercise, a balanced diet, and sufficient sleep can help boost mood and overall happiness.
- Mental health: Addressing mental health concerns, such as anxiety or depression, can be crucial for achieving happiness. Seeking professional help, practicing mindfulness, or engaging in therapeutic activities can help improve mental well-being.
- Goal setting and personal growth: Pursuing personal goals and engaging in activities that promote personal growth can lead to a sense of accomplishment and increased happiness.
- Gratitude: Cultivating gratitude by focusing on the positive aspects of life and appreciating what one has can contribute to happiness.
- Altruism: Engaging in acts of kindness, volunteering, or helping others can lead to increased happiness by fostering a sense of purpose and connection.
- Leisure activities: Participating in enjoyable activities, hobbies, or social events can boost happiness by providing relaxation, pleasure, and opportunities for social interaction.
- Financial security: Having a stable income and managing finances wisely can reduce stress and contribute to happiness.
- Spirituality or religion: For some people, exploring spirituality or engaging in religious practices can provide a sense of purpose and community, leading to increased happiness.
- Positive thinking: Adopting a positive mindset, focusing on strengths, and practicing optimism can help foster happiness.
It’s important to note that what makes one person happy might not work for another. Each individual should explore and find the unique combination of factors that contribute to their happiness.
If none of those things are going on in your life, then expand on them. Happiness is a choice you make because the alternative is miserable. Don’t get me wrong, misery can be quite good for being creative, and is often necessary to understand what’s important to you, but if it drags on too long, it becomes a mental health issue and a brain chemistry issue that is not easy to overcome.
So get some chickens if you can! Save money, eat healthy, be grateful and develop positive relationships with some living beings. Want to be rebellious? This it it.
