If you are in a place, #10: A Little Sadness with Bob Ross

Bob Ross - Mountain Ridge Lake (Season 23 Episode 3) - YouTube

A Little Sadness with Bob Ross

If you are in a place, watch Bob Ross’s Mountain Ridge Lake instructional painting video (or really ANY Bob Ross video to be honest, but this is my personal favorite). If you only know of Bob Ross but have never really sat down and watched one of his old PBS videos, you’re going to have to trust me on this one: Bob Ross is not just a cheesy perm.

I struggle with occasional insomnia, which I used to self-medicate with alcohol. In recent years– though I admittedly still drink my fair share– I’ve worked to lean off of booze as the flawed mental health “remedy” I once depended on it for and have tried instead to replace it with healthier solutions.

Insomnia was the tough one to solve without booze. There are just some nights where it feels like my thoughts are an infestation of rats let loose on a pile of garbage. And I was standing between the two. I would try to move my feet to avoid their pattering only to be overwhelmed by their sheer numbers. There can be no calming the mischief.

But then I discovered Bob Ross’s videos. I mean, I always knew about them. But I never actually sat down to watch one. Why would I? It’s just that weird-looking dude who I’d flip through while trying to find my favorite cartoon on TV.

But Bob Ross’s show The Joy of Painting epitomizes calm. His voice. His paintings. His instruction. His use of language. The sound effects of his tools. It’s really hard to explain, but watching these videos on the nights when my thoughts take over me has been one of only a small handful of things I’ve found can ease my brain and allow me to sleep. Perhaps they will work for you too.

On top of all that, this video in particular includes my favorite quote from Bob:

#FEELSTHO