It's kind of funny how you find the things that keep you happy and (relatively) sane. Also a bit random, but then they tend to be rather random themselves.
Some of them are constants, at least for me, like walking in the woods. Not a 'woody area' as in 'more trees than usual'. Has to be actual woods, convenient gravel pathway or not. It helps me breath, calms me down, and cheers me up. (one odd thing. Last time I went for a walk I found myself talking to the trees. Still not sure why, but it seems to be settling into a habit.)
Another one (and here's where the random is obvious) is being in the middle of a busy city. Like, the centre. With the sea of humanity flowing and breathing around you. Dam Square in Amsterdam, Trafalgar Square in London, Robson Square in Vancouver. It's a heartbeat of sorts. Helps me if I've been feeling isolated and just checks you beck in to the thrum of humanity on a wider level. Can also drive you bonkers if it's tourist season, depending on the mood you're in.
Then we come to the very individual ones, and the ones that you have to adjust and figure out if you move.
That specific view you get in that specific spot on the walk to work. That other one from whichever form of transit you use most. And for me, the one that seems almost most important, the favourite local café.
Back home, it's a tea place. Here it's coffee. Both of them have a very distinct feel and personality to them, both have the best variation on their chosen hot beverage locally, and both of them always, always make me feel better when I walk in them. I can be having an absolutely shitty day, but while I'm within the walls of these cafès it stops being quite that shitty.
I desperately miss the one from back home sometimes. I have a feeling I'm going to miss the one from this home too.
