reasons to stay alive

This might seem a bit weird but. I’m going to list these. By sense and ability.

k.

Do you have the ability to smell?

Then here are some things to live for:

the smell of bacon cooking in the morning

the smell of a huge white blooming rose

the smell of the ocean, salty and bright

the smell of freshly washed laundry

the smell of your favorite food cooking. What is your favorite cooked food? That smell.

the smell of smoke from a campfire

the smell of barbecue

Do you have the ability to hear?

Then here are some things to live for:

the sound of the music of your favorite artists. You know who. For me, it’s the sound of the Beach Boys, Beatles, Taylor Swift, and that one Youtuber with a channel called “PAINT.” ok there are a bunch of others too but. Ok

the sound of the rain, hitting your roof, hitting the roof of the car, hitting your face

the sound of a carwash

the sound of a cat’s purr

the sound of the voices of people you love, if you have them

the sound of a heartbeat

Do you have the ability to taste?

Then here are some things to live for:

the taste of your favorite foods

a fresh tangerine

for me… MAYONNAISE (I know. I can hardly eat so. We adjust).

a bbq ranch burger

a burger with onion rings on top of it

a chicken burger

french fries, sweet potato fries

barbecue sauce

pickles!!!! PICKLES!!!

avocado (something I miss so much)

the taste of a chocolate malted shake, whipped cream and cherry on top. The taste of maraschino

curry

the taste of whatever you can eat that you love. Have you ever tried raw milk? Is it legal where you live? If it is legal where you live, and you have not tried it, then. Well. Just that is a reason to keep living, so that you can try it, and drink it as often as possible subsequently. It’s that good. Raw cream is almost butter. Also worth staying alive for.

Do you have the ability to feel your skin?

sexual pleasure is a reason to stay alive. I think.

there is also the feeling of a hot shower

shower-tubs. tubs.

the feeling of your favorite type of body of water

the feeling of lotion, or your favorite textures

a favorite blanket or sweater

the feeling of a cool drink on a hot day

chapstick

flossing your teeth (it does it for me I know I’m weird it’s ok if you don’t like that feeling but also if you regularly floss your teeth it’s just… ok it’s such a good feeling ok?)

do you have a partner or physically-close friend?

then there are interpersonal options here, if there is a person who can count your freckles, or play with your hair, make a french braid, or count grey hairs

BACK MASSAGES

back massages. Are an option. They can be purchased also!!

Do you have the ability to go out into society? Then there are

restaurants!!!!

clubs!!!!

parks!!!

musical theatre!! community theatre!!!

MOVIE THEATRES. Some of them even have those big leather seats! The kind that recline! !!!

there are parades!! graduations. There are karaoke nights and there are bars

there are

all of the people out there, to be near and watch in the least creepy way possible. There is also verbal contact! Talking with them.

There are escape rooms.

There are laser tag places! Arcades!!

there are so many things.

Do you have the ability to walk in nature? Then there are hikes! Walks on the beach or the coast or the river’s edge!

Can you see?

There are sunsets!

All of the rainbows inside a bubble

an actual rainbow!

There is visual art to be made and appreciated- painting, drawing

there is more than I can list here or begin to

what makes any of it worth experiencing? Is human connection required?

If a tree falls in the forest but no one sees it, did it still fall?

YES. Yes!!

Yes!

It’s true that human connection brings another level to things but it is not required for a life to have value and purpose and be enjoyable.

And speaking of human connection.. who wants human connection? Everyone! Everyone, at some level.

So if you want it, there are other people out there who want it, too. Things don’t have to be perfect to still matter. Things don’t have to be “deep” or “forever” to still matter.

Lower your standards for relationships and have more of them! Learn how to be tolerant and friends even when you disagree with people.

Anyway I’ve now gone onto a tangent but

I hope that this has provided a few ideas of reasons to stay alive. Most of all, perhaps, is the fact that there is only one you, on the entire planet

that you are beautiful, because it is simply how you are. As all creatures have their unique beauty. No one can take it. Nothing can.

You have a voice, whether audible or not. You have important thoughts worth sharing and worth people listening to. You don’t have to be the best for it to be worth it.

Your heart is what someone else needs. That is a 100% guarantee.

Your presence is what someone else needs. That is a 100% guarantee.

It’s true. It doesn’t have to be romantic for it to count. Romantic is good, yes. There is also friendship. Companionship. Sticking around for the journey of someone else’s life, even if it’s towards the end of yours, or theirs. Or even if it likely isn’t, but it just feels like it is.

Your life matters, you’re important, and you’re needed, and there is nothing you can do that will change those truths. It’s just how it is.

Some people find each other in the light. Some people find each other in the dark. If you’re in the dark, you’re not the only one.