The Sims 3 © Electronic Arts

 Wouldn't it be great to feel happy 100% of the time and sad 0% of the time? For whatever reason that's not possible, but these lesser known strategies can help make the shitty moments not as shitty...(hopefully)

1. 

Problem: You Can't Get Over Someone

 Without Buying Disposable Cameras

Huntington Beach, California

Finding my own personal style has been a game changer because I no longer  feel like I’m in a constant state of lack when it comes to my wardrobe. The days of feeling like “I have nothing to wear” are long gone. I’ve had so much fun finding my style and learning how to express myself through clothing, and I’m going to tell you how you can do the same.

Trend Purge

Fashion trends on social media can influence your mind into thinking you like something just because you keep seeing everyone else boast about it. The trick to finding your own style is to steer clear of any trends until you have defined your style. When you come across items that you like, ask yourself these questions to determine whether it’s you or the trend. 

• Can I see a past or future version of myself wearing this item?
• Do I want this item because I like the attention that others are getting from it online?
• Can I see myself wearing this for years to come?
• Do I want this because I want to fit in with my peers?

To avoid the influence of trends, focus on creating style mood boards for yourself rather than repeatedly checking in on the fashion influencers of TikTok and Instagram. 

Do a Closet Cleanout

Don’t throw out all your clothes, but do go through all of them. Try on everything and be really mindful of how each item makes you feel. Here are the criteria you should be looking for: 

• Are there certain silhouettes, cuts, or colors that make you feel the most confident? 
• If there’s any clothing that you haven’t reached for in over 6 months, it’s time to part ways with it. (unless saving for special events)
• Don’t hold onto items that you like the look of on the hanger, but not on your body 
• Is comfort a priority for you? If so, get rid of any clothes you’ve deemed too uncomfortable to wear.

There are so many clothing reselling apps and stores (Buffalo Exchange & Plato's Closet are the LOML) that you can use to even make some extra money from your closet clean-out! Once you’ve organized your clothes and donated/sold all of the unwanted clutter, it’ll be so much easier to distinguish the styles of clothing that you like. 

Make a Personal Pinterest Board

Go on Pinterest and create a “style” board that you can pull inspiration from. Think about the styles of clothing you felt the best in while going through your closet, and try to find similar items. Spend some time going through your style inspirations and finding outfits that you love. Once you’ve curated your board, this will give you a clear idea of what you should be looking for when you go shopping.

Focus on creating style mood boards for yourself rather than repeatedly checking in on the fashion influencers of TikTok and Instagram.

Go Shopping! (but don’t go overboard)

Look through your Pinterest board and find any staple pieces that are consistent in multiple photos you have saved. If that staple piece is not something you currently own, consider buying one that fits you well so you can recreate outfits you like. 

Buy Outfits, Not Individual Pieces

The biggest mistake you can make while shopping is to buy a bunch of random pieces that you like, without having anything to pair it with. This is why I recommend buying staple pieces first, and experiment with statement pieces later. While it’s less exciting to buy a pair of jeans than a cute going-out top, you’ll thank yourself in the long run. When you’re tempted to buy an item that is more of a statement piece, ask yourself if you already own something that you could pair with it to create an outfit. If you don’t, either buy something to wear with it, or avoid it altogether. 

Liquid IV

With today's technology, people are able to develop healthy drink powders that don't taste awful—this is not that product. However, the alternative is feeling like shit, so drink up!

No Shots After 1 a.m.

This one is more of a preemptive remedy. Cut yourself off before the next day and you will thank yourself.

Simply Do Not Day-drink

It's hot, you're sweating, not drinking water, and the alcohol is going to dehydrate you even further. The worst headache of your life will set in same-day! Non-alcoholic daytime option: TJ's Ginger Lemon Probiotic Sparking Beverage.

San Diego Zoo

Hermosa Surf

It's a polarizing topic online whether being obsessed with a public figure or celebrity is “healthy.” I’ll admit that it is a little strange to be so emotionally invested in a person you have never met, but that doesn’t mean it’s wrong. In my personal experience, being a fangirl has enriched my life 100 times over. 

During my tween era, I was a proud Directioner. One Direction fans were often criticized for our dedication and called“crazy” and “insane” because we let a boy band take up so much of our time. This was unironically addressed in the One Direction movie “This is Us.” They brought in a neurologist to explain why teen fangirls would scream, cry, throw up, etc. over the boys in One Direction simply existing. The verdict? They are just excited. GOD FORBID a girl gets excited and happy without being labeled crazy. Men act the same way about sports teams, and it's perfectly acceptable. 

Being on "Stan Twitter/Instagram" when One Direction was at their peak (2012-2015) was an indescribable feeling. It felt so empowering to feel like you were a part of a digital community that reached all ends of the world. These teenage girls (albeit strangers) banded together and supported each other through the highest highs and lowest lows. It made me feel like any thought I felt crazy for having was being felt by hundreds of other girls around the world.

Men act the same way about sports teams, and it's perfectly acceptable. 

In 2013, I saw One Direction in concert for the first and last time. What I didn’t realize was that I would be subconsciously repressing my love for them shortly after. As a very impressionable 13-year-old, I was told by society that being a fan of One Direction was only for “little kids.”

2022 was one of the best years of my life, and that has a big part to do with Harry Styles. It all started when I was home from my senior year of college during winter break. I was bored out of my mind in my hometown, with only a dream and a TikTok account. Harry was one of the only artists touring the US post-COVID. I would spend hours watching concert videos on TikTok, enchanted by the same funny and charming personality that I would spend hours watching videos of back in 2012. And just like that, my obsession was reignited. Once I started going down the One Direction/Harry Styles rabbit hole, there was no turning back. This return to the fandom was a way of healing my inner child, which was so needed at that point in my life. 

On April 1, 2022, Harry Styles released his brand new single, “As It Was.” I remember counting down the days until it dropped and watching the music video the second it premiered. That same excitement I had felt as a tween returned, only this time it added a much-needed spark to my stress-filled college days. I now had a mental list of dates I was looking forward to. 

Harry headlining Coachella weekends 1 and 2, tons of interviews and promo content leading up to his album release on May 20, 2022. As if that wasn’t enough, what followed was a full-fledged world tour and TWO movies with Harry as the lead (Don’t Worry Darling and My Policeman). We were getting FED. There was a never-ending flow of content, and I had no problem letting my life get consumed by this man and his talent.

Being a fangirl didn’t just make life more fun, it made it fuller.

The anticipation around Harry’s new album didn’t just give me something to look forward to, it also led me to new connections. I bonded with two of my now friends, Julia and Valeria, all because of our shared obsession. I also joined a random iMessage group chat I saw on TikTok, which consisted of girls who shared the same desire to talk about Harry Styles way more than any non-fan would want to listen to. Despite never meeting in person, we became a little support system for each other and still keep in touch to this day, cheering each other on from afar via social media.

Being a fangirl didn’t just make life more fun, it made it fuller. It gives you something to be excited about outside of your own life. It removes you from life’s daily stressors and allows you to be a part of a community where everyone cares about the same things you do. I think everyone should care about someone or something as much as I care about Harry Styles/One Direction.