Wow.

40 days ago I brought what I thought was a really dumb idea into this world. I had no idea the response it would receive. I didn’t even know if I would make it to 40 days.

I’m happy I did.

The support from everyone has been overwhelming. I’ve never felt more loved and supported in my entire life. Hearing people discussing it and wanting to discuss it with me has been such a rewarding feeling.

I’d like to thank everyone who helped with this project. All the people who came and did interviews, all the people who spread the word for me, all the dedicated readers/watchers, all the people that believed in the power of positivity and what this project represented. You are all amazing humans and I am so lucky to have you in my life and share this with you.

But this isn’t about the response, it’s about what this was and what it ended up being.

Years ago I was engaged to a girl I loved very much. When she broke it off, it destroyed me. I nearly crashed my car in tears driving to work the morning it happened. I remember sitting at my mom’s kitchen table, drunk off my ass and crying to her and my sister, asking why no one loved me and no one wanted me.

I vowed to myself that I would never act that way again. So when this relationship came to an end, I knew I couldn’t repeat history. I had to find a more positive way.

The way I did this and the most important lesson I’ve learned from this project is realizing that I am lucky enough to have people around that love and support me and share their lives with me. My family, my friends, my peers. Surrounding myself with and talking to them at great lengths has helped ease the pain of loneliness and loss.

It’s so easy to find the negatives. The things you could have done better, the things you didn’t do. That’s not going to help you. Do the extra work and find the things that bring you happiness. It could be work or a person or whatever. Focus on that and then think clearer about the issues at hand. Don’t just figure it out, make it better.

And talk. Please talk. Talk to anyone who will listen. Talk til someone tells you to shut up. Listen and learn from others. You can’t keep this stuff inside. Find a (constructive) way to let it out, even if it’s making beef jerky or listening to your friends sing songs.

Appreciate the littlest things. Even if it’s an embarrassing story or shooting a Nerf gun at your cat. All these little moments, all these little things are still part of your time here and are very special.

I am in no way saying that I am 100% cured of what ails me. I didn’t just magically get over a breakup in 40 days but I sure as hell am on a way better road towards doing so. Steps, not leaps.

I had a wonderful time here in this fort. While I’m sad to see it go, I know that I’m now ready to step out into the world with better tools to handle all the bullshit life throws at me. A very childish thing has helped me become a better man.

(I won’t miss sleeping on the couch though. Fuck that couch.)

And finally, I believe that everyone deserves to be happy. We only have a finite amount of time here and it should be enjoyed as much as possible. Be happy with others but more importantly, be happy with yourself. When you’re alone in your thoughts, why not make it a better place to dwell?

Make happiness happen.

This has been the story of a comedian who got dumped and decided to live in a blanket fort for 40 days and document the shit out of it. And he loved it all.

Thank you.

- Dave

P.S. Please keep coming back as I still have more interviews to post that I didn’t get a chance to finish in time. There’s still more good to come.