Challenge 7- Treat Yourself
JADE
How do you do that?
AMBER
Do what?
JADE
Find a way to be happy right now. I’ve tried baking, listening to my favorite songs, reading with a glass of wine, eating my favorite food and it’s all grey and tasteless and just empty.
AMBER
I’m sorry.
JADE
No, don’t apologize. I’m glad you can be happy. I want you to teach me your ways! I’m so tired and so tired of feeling tired.
AMBER
I’m sorry because I don’t know how or why. I know the majority of the world is awful right now and I personally have some not great things happening so my baseline is kinda down but… I mean, look at that tree. How it’s the perfect fall tree. Just the right mix of orange and red and hints of yellow and it doesn’t look like it’s lost a single leaf yet. Seeing that just makes me happy! But I can’t manufacture it. If I try to trick myself into it, it doesn’t work. Well, unless it’s a little treat.
JADE
Little treats are normally effective for me but they just aren’t cutting it.
AMBER
How are your meds?
JADE
Maxed out on the blues. Doctor says we can try switching it up but it took so long to find a dose that was working and side effects can be killer.
AMBER
I’m sorry.
JADE
It’s alright.
[beat]
I mean, it’s not, but that’s not your fault.
AMBER
Have you. Ever seen. An albino squirrel.
JADE
No?
AMBER
There’s one that sometimes goes at my mom’s bird feeder. Come on. Let’s go see if we can see it.
JADE
What are you talking about?
AMBER
You’re right, a car trip is unreasonable. You have stuff to do today. Let’s go get a fancy coffee and walk to the dog park.
JADE
I don’t have a dog.
AMBER
I know.
JADE
And you don’t have a dog.
AMBER
Also true.
[beat]
I’m not suggesting anything illegal! We’re just going to go spend time with some dogs that are happy and off leash, and maybe even want pets from strangers. Maybe we’ll get lucky and come across an extra sassy corgi.
JADE
I don’t understand.
AMBER
I can’t say for sure I’ve been where you are because none of us really know what others are going through but I do know that a fancy coffee and dog cuddles can’t make it any worse.