[paulkoer]

I second this. I used to think practicing gratitude was stupid, or at least not really worth my time. I have recently picked up stoicism and one key techniques seems to be "practicing negative visualization" - basically imagining how much worse of you could be. I found that once I really think through all the hardships that I could find myself in I appreciate my current situation much more and feel much happier.

Curiously, I think I also get more done now because I feel better, am in a better mood and spend less time anguishing about all the things which are not perfect or could somehow be better. It has also made me aware that many people do find themselves in various hardships and my appreciation for my situation has really grown again through this.

Stop being so hard on yourself and cut yourself some slack - if you're the perfectionist type (like me) it does a lot more harm than good!