when-in-doubt-sing:

Ways in which my cat is helping me fix my mental health

• Having a little living thing around makes me feel less alone.
• He doesn’t have the expectations that humans have. He will never judge me or abandon me. He’s just there.
• Caring for a living thing is honestly so therapeutic. I get to give, and I’m good at it. It’s good for my self-worth and it gets me out of my own focus.
• It’s not a lot of pressure or a lot of work so it doesn’t affect my anxiety much.
• I have to feed him and clear his litterbox which gives me regularity in my day. If I have to get up to feed him I don’t stay in bed all day.
• I can talk to him instead of being alone with my thoughts.
• Getting to know him, play with him, communicate with him keeps my brain busy so I don’t spiral.
• Cats are lively and like to play. Life is easy and fun for them. Seeing things through his eyes gives me a different perspective.
• They also sleep a lot and watching a cat sleep is one of the purest and most soothing experiences on this planet.
• Very Soft. Peaceful. Grounding. Warm. Petting a cat will improve your day 1000x
• PURRING. That’s all.
• I love him. Feeling this love makes me feel warm inside, it’s gentle, it’s hopeful. And it shows me I can still feel good things.
• He loves me back and I don’t think I’ll ever be over how happy and purry he is everytime I get home, how he comes running, taptaptap, squeaking, when I call his name, or the way he looks into my eyes when he feels safe and content. I’m loved!
• I’m responsible for this little thing. He depends on me. That’s a good enough reason to stay alive even when things get bad.

If you are able to care for a cat, I could never recommend it enough. Plus, a lot of cats need homes.

If you can’t, know that Loki knows it gets bad sometimes but he also knows that you are brave, and that you will be okay.

He’s even bringing you a Totoro.