How to counter orange monsters and other things
I think we can all agree that this has been a weird ass year so far. Apart from a global pandemic, there is also an orange buffoon wreaking havoc in a faraway land. Oh, and the world is, quite literally, on fire. Plus, locusts.
For many it has been a year of contrasts, where normal routines have been cast away, mostly for the detriment of sanity. For me, apart from becoming an even worse recluse than before, and struggling hopelessly with digital anxiety, one good thing in all this has been a recent change in attitude towards autumn. I’ve decided to like it this year.
I have previously written about my disdain for everything autumn, but it turns out there’s a plethora of autumnal goodness out there. So, I thought I would share with you some tips on how to befriend the darkness, and hopefully this goth-inspired madness will motivate you to some improved mental health routines.
First, I have to remind you of the soul-warming music of power metal. I have written about this before, so will not bore you. For those of you who don’t know what I’m babbling about, that’s fine. Never mind. For you I will instead recommend Alice Cooper, Black Sabbath or some original movie scores by Danny Elfman. Find on your music service of choice.
Which brings me to my second point, movies. The Nightmare before Christmas, Big Fish, Sleepy Hollow, The Crow. Where to stop? For those of you who aren’t into classics, perhaps The Alienist, Frankenstein’s Chronicles, or The Witcher on Netflix?
Third, I recommend cozying up on the sofa, or better in a wing chair, with any selection of weird tales by H.P. Lovecraft, or spooky tales by Edgar Allan Poe, Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, or Bram Stoker’s Dracula. Again, for something more modern, why not Neil Gaiman’s The Graveyard Book, American Gods, or Good Omens (co-written with Terry Pratchett)? For some proper sci-fi, which this year has been upgraded to documentary, there are classics such as Brave New World and 1984.
"Why not imagine you are on a quest, on your way to find treasure or save a beloved friend? What dangers might you encounter?"
To accompany this, apart from the mandatory candles, I suggest a cup of strong black tea (yes, and thick socks and warm sweaters, shut up), for example chai or Earl Grey, or a smoky lapsang souchong. Unless you prefer to indulge in a sip or two of whisky, or a glass of dark red wine.
As we are constantly reminded of the importance of exercise, I urge you to find a pair of boots that can handle the wet and the mud, a nice coat with a hood or a collar that folds up, and off you go into the mist. Why not imagine you are on a quest, on your way to find treasure or save a beloved friend? What dangers might you encounter? Bring a book of spells, and a magic potion, i.e. coffee.
Now, I hope you have found at least one thing in this list of ramblings to counter not only autumnal misery, but also orange monsters and global world madness.
Be weird. Be kind. Take care of yourself.
