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Blarg, I’m feeling a bit overwhelmed and out of sorts today. Do you ever find yourself in a funk? What cheers you up?
P.S. 10 ways to beat winter blues.
(Photo by Lisa Steinbruek)
Winter blues
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Going for a walk, even if it is short, and cooking :)
actually my stuffed animal lamb makes me feel better! Sometimes I’ll just curl up on the coach and watch a movie with her.. it makes me feel like a little kid and it always cheers me up!
i know im a bit late but it can help next time . going to ur closest friend and gettin in their bed and tellin them about wats wrong in life i call it: ventin therapy
well..I finally decided to go on Zoloft!
A little late but… a lovely move to cheer you up, Enchanted April http://www.tcm.com/mediaroom/index.jsp?cid=222502
This idea won’t be much like the others, BUT, whenever I feel that way (traumatized) I live in the moment, since it is hard for most of us to cry, I put on some sad songs and watch The Way We Were, then I cry, and cry. After that I am spent but usually ready to get up and get on with it. You and your husband have faced a great loss, please don’t feel as if you can “get over it” quickly. Take care, dear friend.
Now, if all of that doesn’t work then take a hot bath, put on a fluffy white robe, slippers and lay down with your husband.
I’d lend you Lily the dog if you were in London! That would make you laugh!
Then a brisk walk to the pub, via a corner shop to pick up 4-6 magazines, the best table would be free, all the nice locals would be there, three glasses of Pinot Gris, a dissection of Victoria Beckham and her latest look, and a quick wayward trot home…..
Smiling yet?
I make it funny and then blog about it like I cured a disease:
http://suzymaggie.blogspot.com/2009/12/seasonal-depression-disorder-is-not.html
<3<3<3
Hey Jo,
I’m happy you’re feeling better now, but I thought I’d put in my two cents worth anyway!
Just personally, I think the thing that helps me get out of those sad moods is just acknowledging that it’s completely okay to have a funk every so often. In a way, having those moments are kind of beautiful in a warped way, and necessary to life, and they show you that you’re alive and tuned in and you feel things!
So when it happens to me, I let myself dwell in it, and take pleasure in doing all the things these wonderful people have mentioned, but the only thing you can never do is feel guilty or bad about feeling bad, because that always makes it worse!
Off to bed now, hope you have a great weekend!
a cup of tea , nice bath , bargain shopping , talking to my family and friends through the internet w/ skype or magicJack . going out with a friend :)
Oh reading the comments for you lifted me up as well!
I feel exactly the same way, it’s been a long week. So I just got home, made myself a good cup of coffee and sat down with my laptop + favorite blogs and some chocolate. Then I’m going to turn on some Christmas music and take the time to decorate and finally get into the Christmas spirit. Might as well enjoy winter and make my home as cozy as possible! Have a great weekend and thank you for your lovely blog!
Shopping therapy!
large cups of tea… Nancy Mitford… Mumford and Sons… Damian Rice Cannonball…walking the fug off- in the city or the country… mulled wine… going back to bed… turning the phone, computer, everything off for an hour… a long bath… a quick shower… petting a dog, a cat, a horse… old cartoons
A GORGEOUS, sublime red lipstick… you’ll feel better in a matter of seconds!!
I felt like that this week. Went to our Waterfront shopping mall where I was surrounded by foreign accents (which I love), & watched Julie & Julia… bliss.
Christmas music! It’s so happy and cheerful!
yes i feel that way right now, with finals, and more work to be done then i believe possible.
but this lovely little lamb does make me smile :)
For me december it’s the most crazy and beautiful month…all the presents, the lighting, the snow, all the coats-gloves-boots-scarfes that I can wear, the good vibe, the hot chocolate, to spend days when you do nothing just chill out and relax, christmas, my birthday ;), new year’s eve…I enjoy even christmas parties and that kind of things.
I’m a big big fan of your blog, just be lovely and positive as always and everything it’s gonna be all right ;)
I hope you’re feeling brighter after this outpouring of fun! It’s certainly helped *my* funk to read everyone’s responses — I especially love Melinda’s “little red book of love.” Such a good idea! While I wish everyone could always be happy, it’s nice to know that feeling blue (and turning to kittens) is universal. I find that exercise and eating lots of fresh veggies usually helps a lot for me. Planting bulbs indoors so I can have an early spring. The new Coen brothers movie. Photos of clouds. Making plans for future fun.
I have those blues about several days a month – I HATE IT!
I usually ride it out or cry it out or… good heartwarming movies with a pint of my favorite coffee ice cream in my hand.
Or a nice “hello” from my lovely friends:)
Cheer up, Jo! We love you!!
xoxo
thumps up to the whole ‘write down your feelings’ thing. Writing things down makes them real and understandable. Just make sure you write down all the good things that happen too. Try to concentrate on your blessings and always remember that what you focus on expands.
Well, you always cheer me up! Have a lovely positive day Joanna :)
Curl up and watch your favorite TV show! Just one episode, and then do something constructive. Helps me loads.
i bet you reading all these comments will perk you up!!!
if i’m feeling restless, i go out for a brisk walk. it is so simple but so so refreshing. and make dinner from a new recipe!
a facial and a pedicure (massage too?) all of the above if its a really bad day.. : )
Coming home to my dog, no matter how out of sorts I am, he never fails to make the stress disappear.
Denise
hot tea. a big bubble bath. a face mask. watching when harry met sally or you’ve got mail. baking a pretty cake. thinking about my mom doing this funny dance she does. new lipstick. tackling a pesky chore (like cleaning out my closet). walking around the city with my ipod. laying in the sun. watching food network. sitting in the coffee shop with a book. starting a new book. designing my hypothetical baby’s nursery. writing my sister a letter. doing imitations of people to make my hubby laugh. but if all else fails, just remember you are loved!
I could totally be wrong here, but…didn’t you say once you have a light therapy box that cheered you up? I saw one at Costco today, thought of you, and wondered if it worked, as I could use a little pick me up on long grey Michigan days. I almost bought it, but then thought of my husband saying ‘ you bought a happy light for $100 because who from where said what?’ The thought alone made me laugh.
Read ‘Eat Pray Love’, take hot baths with new products. Milk and honey are great skin softeners.
Drink hot toddys.
Check out a fun new place and people watch
Make a vision board for the next year. Listen to the secret audio book.
Play hooky from something and watch movies you never had time to rent.
Wear a simple new fashion like fun textured tights
If all else fails, buy sexy underwear. Works every time!
A Run and a Cute Outfit!
hi there, Jo… i’d suggest doing something to pamper yourself. usually when i’m down i make sure i take better care of myself. So this could mean getting an extra-long massage at your favourite spa, or grabbing a good girlfriend and enjoying a pedicure together.
if all fails, there is always comfort food!!! :) Go spoil yourself.
As Laura said…..(from breakfast at Tiffany)the mean reds……
My solution
stay in bed (if that’s an option)until you wanna get up…..
Or
flick through interior mags to find your ideal room/house/view… And stick it on the wall…
Or
daydream about your next vacation…. It doesn’t have to be on the cards ….just imagine you’ve won some coin on the lottery!!!!!
If that fails….
Yep-chocolate martinis…..
Looking forward to your next post….
Ruth
nice cuppa decaf in the evening, snuggling with my cat, big blanket, followed by turning in early to get some extra sleep. Hope you feel better soon. I do know how you feel.
We walked in as someone was trying to burgle our house. Never even saw the person, but broken glass is everywhere. Anyway, yes, it’s been a bad bad day. And as I read your post I totally empathized. What calmed me this evening was some alone time in a — cliche — bubble bath with a glass of Pinot Grigio. Plus the love of my sweetie husband and two adorable little girls.
two things that never fail:
1. have a mini dance party by myself. it is really hard to feel blue while dancing.
2. funny cat videos on youtube.
…a tall Soy Carmel Macchiato while listening to Owl City’s, “Fireflies.”
Hope you feel better!
homemade pizza and a bike ride!
I agree with Paulette, there is a wonderful collection of wonderful tidbits of support and creativity. That alone should light you up like a Christmas tree. I also am a big fan of the bubble bath, and either sweet rose tea (my new love) or champagne. I also read a few pages of something by Alexandra Stoddard and instantly feel more relaxed, calm and beautiful.
First I’d print this list and keep it safe. Just reading everyone’s comments has brought me joy. I especially love Melinda’s little red book of love, and I’ve got to start one immediately. My favorite ways to make it through a funk: pray, remind myself that this too will pass, read Confessions of a Shopaholic for the umpteenth time, surf my blogroll–which always leaves me amazed at how much beauty, wonder, joy, enthusiasm, and passion there is in the world. I know valleys are a part of life, but I hope yours flies swiftly.
Cucumber sandwiches and a cup of tea.
Pair it with a good movie, or friend… or both!
Watching Marx Brothers or screwball comedies (like My Favorite Wife)
Doing something nice for someone else. This one sounds so corny but it always cheers me up!
I hear this happens to people in NY all the time in the winter because there is less sun. Also, NY can be depressing. My teacher went through the same thing. Watch a movie with beaches :P
Beautiful flowers – every time! Even something as simple as a happy wee poppy or an anenome.
I’m feeling the exact same way today! It’s seems like the good is always followed by some bad… and when that happens it’d definitely time for some knitting by the fireplace, or watching Breakfast at tiffany’s in your cutest pyjamas!
Absolutely. Once the sun hides, I find the only thing keeping me from drowning in work is knowing spring is out there somewhere.
Just blast some Styx! Or watch A League of Their Own. Either way, instant happiness.
yes i do and three’s company reruns. :)
Joanna…if you’re still reading comments: take yourself on a date with…yourself. A few weeks ago I wrote about going to a movie & buying hot chocolate. On the way home, buy some flowers but limit it to a small bunch. Then you don’t fall into trap of buying too much stuff.
xoxo
I always find myself in a funk around this time of year. I try to surround myself with close friends and get out of the house as much as possible. Retail therapy helps, too ;)
Chicken and dumplings always gets me out of a funk.
My energetic Yorkie can always perk me up.
And sometimes it feels good to embrace the season–for wintertime that means turning on the space heater in my office, playing Barenaked Ladies holiday tunes, enjoying some Egyptian Licorice Yogi Tea, and writing or designing something for a client. Productive and cheering.
I work in a restaurant that is in an antique greenhouse- unfortunately for you we’re located in Pennsylvania, about a half hour outside of philly, but I’ve found that even on the chilliest winter days being in the sunlit, cozy green house puts me in a great mood!
“Holly Golightly: You know those days when you get the mean reds?
Paul Varjak: The mean reds, you mean like the blues?
Holly Golightly: No. The blues are because you’re getting fat and maybe it’s been raining too long, you’re just sad that’s all. The mean reds are horrible. Suddenly you’re afraid and you don’t know what you’re afraid of. Do you ever get that feeling?
Paul Varjak: Sure.
Holly Golightly: Well, when I get it the only thing that does any good is to jump in a cab and go to Tiffany’s. Calms me down right away. The quietness and the proud look of it; nothing very bad could happen to you there…”
:)
This time of year, a large mug of hot chocolate with or without Baileys (depending on how bad – or good – a day you’re having) does the trick quite nicely.
I hope you’re feeling better by the time you read this!
Put on some cheery music – French pop a la Francoise Hardy or Serge Gainsbourg always does it for me :)
what a beautiful animal! One of my favorites!
Look for gifts for people!
i know how you feel – the alaskan darkness has been getting to me a bit, more than usual this time of year. i’ve been staying busy making books with lots of bright paper :) and playing with my crazy dog. hope you feel better soon.
love all these suggestions…this is very practical, but maybe pop the vitamin d & get some acupuncture/ massage? sometimes your happy hormones need some help to get balanced in the winter!
One of the reasons I left New York for Arizona is because the 9 months of winter became ridiculously unbearable emotionally. Since moving isn’t the most practical remedy for you today, I recommend LOL cats, hot chocolate and mac-n-cheese.
going to cuteoverload.com
Hot shower, sweatpants and a good meal!!!
Feel better
xoxox
Lexy
I love to bake cupcakes then eat them with a girlfriend along with never ending cups of tea :)
Also listening to music from the early 90s always does the trick. xxx
When I feel overwhelmed it’s usually because I don’t feel I have enough time to do the things I want to do. My solution was to do something I hate (papers, grad school apps, etc) in a place that I love. I sit down in a local coffee shop, Vinaka in Carlsbad is my choice, and bust through my worst projects.
My S.A.D light therapy lamp!!! It’s a freaking miracle,seriously. And wow..no way! I am GIVING ONE AWAY!! It’s your lucky day!! Check it out!
http://momedy.blogspot.com/2009/12/ultimate-winter-giveaway-sad-sun-touch.html
(Btw, as suspect as this seems I’m a regular reader. This isn’t spam, just serendipitously timed, I don’t get compensated by the company or anything :)
Even if you don’t win BUY ONE. They rock. It will change your winter life.
Apparently muppets singing bohemian rhapsody, or bearded men singing about fonts.
Yes, I’ve totally had those days {or even weeks}. Case in point: this past week. I think it always helps me to call up a friend {or my mom} and talk about things {or have a slight breakdown}.
Hope you get out of your funk soon!
Had a really awful day at work a while back and this video on Sharon Montrose’s blog rescued my whole day!
http://sharonmontrose.blogspot.com/2009/10/i-love-my-dog.html
Watching 30 Rock always helps, always, along with a really good hot chocolate that’s all frothy and creamy. Hugs to you. xo
A tear jecker movie maybe on love gone wrong.
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