This is really the only answer. If you think being able to put your your desktop in your pocket and use it anywhere would be useful, then you’d probably find a smartphone useful.
Plus, with the right combination of applications (more preferably, a few, and some with no active internet permission at all) and power settings tweaked both for better battery mileage and longer, more focused on-the-go sessions (e.g. editing documents, playing that one dungeon crawler roguelike, and planning important events, etc.) you could count on it more.
A friend gives us validation, which could push us to do things we don’t want in some situations.
We can also be betrayed by a friend, and our outlook on life/perspectives shift into darker territory, particularly if you are isolated and stuff…
Someone you consider to be a friend may also not have your best interests at heart, or may have a completely wrong impression of you, and may not protect you from danger when you need it most.
Despite those, IMO friends are kind of essential from a mental health perspective - we’re social beings, isolation can bring out the worst in us. Whenever you come across someone that shares your values, keep them close 👍
If you're a weeb there's an entire genre of this stuff: iyashi-kei ("soothing type/genre"). I've enjoyed a bunch of them, though some of them get pretty saccharine if that's a worry. There's a large overlap with "slice of life", and a lot of these are set in school for whatever reason - YMMV. I like Azumanga Daioh, though the anime adaptation is a little aged. Nichijou is adorable and leans more into absurdism if that's your thing. "Yotsuba&!" is freaking precious, but manga only - same guy as Azumanga Daioh.
For non-weeb stuff I'll mention Brooklyn Nine-Nine, also Parks and Recreation once it hits its stride.
If you’re gonna open it up to anime, then yeah, you crack open like a whole universe of “palate cleanser” shows. Anime likes to get really, really dark sometimes, and after a really rough episode sometimes you just need some sunshine and calm. Non Non Biyori is the example I always think of.
There’s a large overlap with “slice of life”, and a lot of these are set in school for whatever reason - YMMV.
I do enjoy anime, but a lot of them are like this and the reason’s pretty clear: the target audience is often skewed younger (i.e. teens/young adults). Are the ones you’ve suggested set in school, or…? It’s not a dealbreaker fwiw just not my first choice.
Cromartie High School is one of my occasional fallbacks for something silly & lighthearted, after all.
Recently I watched and enjoyed Parks and Recreation and One Day at a Time (netflix series). Light hearted engaging content. Another recommendation: Schitt’s Creek.
Not to sound like an after school special, but if a “friend” encourages you to do something harmful then they’re not your friend. (Making fun of others, physically fighting, consuming more substances than you’re comfortable with, generally breaking the law) But especially when people are younger they might be eager to have a friend, and feel pressured to go along with what another person suggests.
Depends. If you and the whole group are into fighting, abusing substances, and breaking the law, then you can definitely have real friends that encourage you to do those things.
I love sitcoms but beneath their light exterior they always have a heart of darkness, or at least a trace of one. But given your OP, I figure you can handle a teensy bit of a shadow side. Here are some generally upbeat shows with lots of laughs.
Catastrophe- I think it strikes the right balance of optimism in the face of doubt. It's light but not saccharine. It's my favorite sitcom.
My Name Is Earl is my favorite go-to light-hearted and positive sitcom. Follows the story of a rather silly, ignorant redneck that begins to believe in karma, and so writes a list everyone he has ever wronged and goes about fixing it one by one.
One of my favorite shows of all time. The jokes are non stop. Many are in-your-face slapstick, but others are subtly slid into the dialogue. It’s a smart comedy about stupid people. I consistently found myself hoping that everything would work out for this bunch of morons, but at the same time, laughed when they got what they deserved.
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