lilmod, I feel very depressed on simchas torah too, for different reasons though. I grew up in the US where simchas torah was really toward the more gashmiyus side, and I loved it. If I lived in Meah Sharim I’d like it to cuz it’s toward tons of ruchniyus, but where I live now- it’s just sorta….eh both ways.
No peckelach, very little candy, no trading candies at 2am and noshing and talking in thw womens section. Dancing is very boring, just a bunch of people going around in a circle with no feeling. No streamers, flags, shining faces and little kids trying to kiss the torah….
I’ve been to shul after shul in this city. And all I see are drunk boys, groups of girls giggling over nothing, tired fathers and mothers, and children who go to bed at 9 or 10.
I hope to try your techniques so this year me, and some of the other people I know can actually once again love this holiday.