I think your comment is the key. Many others tell what to do, but yours addresses the core in that you won’t be happy unless you decide or allow yourself to be happy (perception).

I used to mock those people who would say things like “smile in the mirror and tell yourself that it’s going to be a great day”. Later in life, I figured out that that’s what they needed to do, so good for them. For me, it’s something else. I need to be around nature to ground my feelings. Other times, it’s physical cardiac exertion, like a bike ride.

Medication can help if there’s a real medical problem, like depression. Self medicating can be dangerous.

If it helps quell any anxiety, the ring cameras are not made of quality components. A neighbor with a south facing camera said that the camera was there when they moved in, but the lens is so sun damaged that you can’t see anything. It was installed maybe 2 years ago. They said that they only use it as a doorbell now.

As mentioned in another post, a malicious neighbor could blast UV light at the cameras day and night for a while to make the camera mostly ineffectve.

I’ve done this same thing. My dad lived on the other side of the country and it was a way for me to “take him out to eat” at a restaurant that he loved but was too expe dive for his tastes. Another time, I bought him a round of golf at a nice golf course that he would not treat himself to. He did not “believe” in gift cards wither, but on both occasions he mentioned that it was as if I took him to eat/golf and it was a nice gift for the guy who has everything.