whenever i’m depressed, i have those exact same thoughts. i know it feels like a rational line of thinking, but life isn’t made worth living by the sum of happiness and suffering. i can’t really convince you otherwise, i know. instead, i’m going to suggest something strange: look around you and find something—a painting, a piece of furniture, an item, etc.—and fix your gaze at that thing, like look at it really intensely. i want you to exclusively focus on that one thing, and, if you want, you can touch it, smell it, taste it. don’t force yourself to think about anything specific, but just keep your attention directed at this one thing for a moment. then, i want you to do the same for a different thing in your field of view… i know it seems very weird, but, please, just try doing this for a short while.