We tend to feel all kinds of emotions. Happy, sad, proud, disappointed, angry, calm, stressed, relaxed, and the list goes on and on. If we’re happy, it usually means something worked out. If we’re proud, it usually means we did something that made us feel good about ourselves. If we’re relaxed, we most likely don’t have anything to worry ourselves with. However, we can also be sad. We can be disappointed, angry, stressed, and simply unwell. What then? Do we let that emotion control us for the rest of the day? Most of us probably do, but what about the other half? Do we ignore how we feel? Maybe suppress it? I don’t know! What I do know, though, is that we want to know what to do next.

This interview was conducted as an experiment to see what advice would people give to other fellow people, whether they’re sad, angry, or simply feel stuck in life. While not being professional psychologists, they are just like us. Everyone around us experiences things, and have already experienced in the past, so what will they say?

What is your advice for people who are sad?

• “Sad? I mean, like just not feeling well? I draw. I mean drawing always makes me feel better about myself, you know? You can express your emotions on paper, when words aren’t enough. You don’t think, you don’t feel, you just go, and do whatever you want – freely. Yeah. Draw, if you’re sad then simply draw.”

• “Cry, if you’re really sad. If not then just continue doing what you’re doing. We don’t have infinite time – don’t waste it with crying. Be happy, do something that fulfills you, not something that makes you feel worse.”

• “Honestly, eat ice cream. Be there for yourself, feel your emotions, maybe call a friend. Movie night with pizza. You have every right to feel your emotions, so do it. Don’t let other people tell you that you can’t.”

What would you say to someone who’s stuck in life?

• “Ask yourself: ‘Why am I here? What do I want to do? What do I want to achieve?’. You’re given this beautiful thing called life, and you can use it any way you want. Do you love someone? Tell them! You want to travel the world? Go! No one’s stopping you. Just do what your heart tells you to do, and you’ll find the meaning of everything.”

• “Think about what you’re good at. Sports, academics, arts, cooking, I don’t know, anything. I used to be stuck, and didn’t really know if I was useful. I stopped, and thought about it. I have talents, just like any human. Find your talent, find something you’re good at and just do it, and do it until you never want to do anything else again.”

• “Are you really stuck, or are you just tired? Do you have stuff you can do, work to attend to, friends to have fun with? I’m not saying you can’t have all of that, and still feel stuck, but you’re not stuck if you have a point, and a purpose, you’re just bored. You’re tired of repeating the same things over, and over again. Try changing something, and see if it works then.”

What advice would you give to younger people, teenagers specifically?

• “Live life, and don’t be scared about being cringe. You’re young, who cares what you do. Be yourself, and don’t care about others. This is your story, no one else’s.”

• “Don’t worry too much about love, you’ll find it soon. Enjoy your freedom, and the fact that you don’t have to work. You’re gonna hate it, trust me. School is really not that bad. Just have fun, and don’t be too serious.”

• “Study, study, study. God, it makes your life so much easier if you work hard early. No, seriously, have fun, but don’t be stupid. Be smart while having fun. Don’t do things just because they’re ‘cool’, you have a brain, use it. Think before doing something stupid. Also, trust your gut.”

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So, there you have it. Moral of the story? Follow what you believe is best. As a ‘wise’ stranger once said: “Just do what your heart tells you to do,”. I mean, they’re right. You are living this life, no one else. Focus on what you believe, not on what others tell you. Be yourself, express yourself. We’re not here forever.