1. Go for a walk in the storm. (Wear brightly coloured wellington boots.)
2. Book a ticket to your favourite place so you have something to look forward to.
3. Drink many cups of tea.
4. Don't listen to anyone who says you can't or shouldn't (or should).
5. Phone a friend and ask them how they are.
6. If you can't sleep, you might as well get up.
7. Keep a cat (or other furry animal) nearby at all times.
8. Paint your toenails ruby red.
9. Stop being nice, start being kind (not excluding yourself).
10. Allow yourself time to think about the next step without rush or distraction.
Any other tips?
{Marc Jacobs wellies, Urban Outfitters telephone, Chanel nail varnish}
For myself I find vanishing into beloved book or dvd with characters who mean something to me works very well. I also find certain scents very comforting.
ReplyDeleteThat said when you are really struggling everything that normally works doesn't.
I will be very interested to hear people's tips too.
In any case leave the house. Go for a walk (with the neighbours dog or alone), bring clothes to dry cleaners or run other overdue errands (sense of accomplishment plus motion), have a coffee (tea) somewhere and do it two times a day if possible. Also it might help to watch an emotional moving or cheerful movie (depends on how much cheerfulness is tolerable in the situation), light a scented candle of preference, have a nap, treat yourself with something sweet to eat or drink (especially chocolate helps build up serotonin levels) and talk to a friendly being or write e-mail to favourite friend for consolation.
ReplyDeleteIf you are in Paris, something never fails: getting some bread/brioche from Du pain et des idées (34 rue Yves Toudic 75010). It was my flu cure today.
ReplyDeleteUseful thread, as I am trying to figure this out myself.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Kate -get some errands done, no matter how trivial. It will give you the sense that you are already moving forward. Engage in indulgences that are fun, but that you won't regret too much later. E.g., glass of champagne: good. Self-pitying tray of cupcakes: bad. Also check if anyone else is down in the hole with you - nothing better than some company.
xoxo
BB
I have three fail-safes -
ReplyDelete1) a cuddle with my dog, whilst....
2) watching a black and white movie - Sunset Boulevard ALWAYS hits the spot, whilst....
3) drinking an extra-sweet cup of tea with 1 (or possibly 2 if necessary) chocolate eclairs from M&S.
Defunking the funk, I know this all too well. All tips posted are sure to help put the brakes on the slipperyness here are some others that may help...
ReplyDelete1) bubble baths
2) music (it's designed to move you which ever way you wish to go)
3) gentleness (especially your thoughts)
4) reading magazines or watching t.v. that doesn't make you hate yourself (try BBC comedies or Dwell magazine)
5) realizing the cosmic joke that nobody really knows what to do ... we're all just trying to figure out
6) love yourself for being sensitive
7) but if you are really in a bad place --- try to be with someone and talk about it.
Great tips! Thank you x
ReplyDeleteput on your favourite song on loud and dance dance dance, the sillier the dance the better!
ReplyDeleteexercise helps a lot too, in fact a bike ride is my best mood lifter - whatever the weather.
great list btw, I shall refer to it when it's needed, thank you :)
Your list is beautifully calm. I may print it off. Number 5 is ace as it takes the focus off you. I am going to try that one. I like to watch French Kiss, light some candles and cuddle my dog. Everything will be ok in the end,and if it's not ok then it's not the end.
ReplyDeleteSophia x
I most completely love this post. Especially #5 (and bubble baths, two a day if necessary).
ReplyDeleteGreat advice!
ReplyDeleteThe only thing I'd add is
11. Lose yourself in a good book.
love your list, and love this suggestion too:
ReplyDelete6) love yourself for being sensitive
so nice!
xxx
Mia
I agree on running errands, It always almost makes you feel lighter after that.
ReplyDeleteUsually, I put on a dvd, buy something for myself, nothing overpriced, eat cake,and if all fails, I call my mum which sometimes induce me to tears which really works.
Sigh...it must be that time of year!
ReplyDeleteI find spending time with my beloved niece and nephew instantly lifts my spirits.
That or watching 'Play It Again Sam' while tucked up under a blanket.
Claire x
...oh, here's another tip: turn off your cellphone for 24 hours.
ReplyDeletexxx
Mia
Mia: it's amazing how that works. i haven't switched it off...yet, but stopped being a slave to always answering it - and although it's made a couple of people annoyed I don't really care because I've been able to concentrate on what I'm actually doing!
ReplyDeleteTea is the solution to everything.
ReplyDeleteThe ultimate solution: Go meet a truely good friend in a cafe, drink tea, eat cake or cookies or cupcakes, but something with LOTS of sugar. Laugh all afternoon. Always works for me.
Trick is to really find that person who will lift you up.
everyone's already said books, so I'll add yoga, pasta, and sex if readily available :)
ReplyDelete-Shop
ReplyDelete-Do not be alone
-Write a to do list or things you wish to acheive.
-Take a walk, it clears your mind, and the exercise will make you feel better!
BSB
In America, a $2 bottle of cab from Trader Joe's doesn't hurt :)
ReplyDeletehang in there, everyone.
i LOVE LOVE LOVE this!
ReplyDeleteGreat post!!
ReplyDeletehow about a bubble bath and some chocolate? great list :)
ReplyDeleteHey,
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for this post - really helping me through the winter & snow here. Just discovered your blog - loving the writing its cool, quirky & honest :)
Take care,
A*
Try and get out the house, it always changes perspectives!
ReplyDeleteMaybe alittle retail therapy or a walk somewhere beautiful with your favorite songs on your ipod!
Also, alittle pampering and a feel good film or one of your favorites!
xx
I have to agree that painting one's toenails a great red is a real pick me up. Also just writing a great list like yours can lift a low mood. Thanks for the inspiration!
ReplyDeletesuch a great post.
ReplyDeleteand, am officially wanting those marc wellies.
Beautiful wonderful post!! The little things at most sometimes make the biggest impact:)
ReplyDeleteYesterday I got a new pair of perfect black pumps. Superficial, but very effective!
ReplyDeletedid #8 this weekend!
ReplyDelete"got the blues for red" by OPI.
These are such great tips, thank you so much! And glad to get feedback on trying them out too - funny how the nail varnish always works - perhaps it's the fumes! The white telephone on the sidebar is a link to this post with all the fabulous comments so it's always just a click away...
ReplyDeleteI usually find if I'm in a funk that I'm focusing too much on how I feel. I find that going to an art gallery or a museum helps because the art makes me feel something different. Beauty takes my mind off me.
ReplyDeleteI've always found the following to work:
ReplyDelete1. Cleaning one's house or at least a room to a shining brilliance. The exercise and the creation of order from, in my case, chaos, always seem to help.
2. Making your bed with new crip sheets ~ in fact buying new bedding helps to indicate a new start ~ sprinkling lavender (rest) and frankincense (protection, wisdom, serenity) oils around the bedroom.
3. Flowers: as many as possible, everywhere ~ particularly where you are reclining in your misery. I often go for a walk, when in London, buy some posies, when in the country, hedgerow gather.
4. Submersion in beauty (art, literature, film)
5. Submersion in bath water full of bubbles
6. Restrained comfort eating ~ one glass of champagne, one perfect chocolate, one piece of toast and marmite and one enormous cup of hot chocolate....
7. Writing, with a pen and paper, to a friend or neglected relative. Emails don't have the same impact. People love receiving letters, so your misery is alchemically turned into a treat for someone else.
I totally agree about a slice of toast and marmite - and there's definitely something about helping/cheering someone else. Loving your name - Age of Innocence? x
ReplyDeleteYes ~ the Age of Innocence! I'm in love with the idea of being a melancholy countess living in a mimosa-filled appartement with yellow shutters in Paris. I'm also in love with 1870s bustles ~ can't really wear them out and about unfortunately....
ReplyDeleteI agree with manic cleaning session.
ReplyDeletealso...
baking (Cake!!!!!!)
Having high tea
Turning on really really loud a sond that everyone know's the dance/words to (Thriller, hit me baby one more time, ABC, Fascination, Mary poppinss..) and generally making a muggins of yourself.
Or a cuddle with a baby, if in lack of furry animal.
ReplyDeleteThis is such a cool post. Happy to have clicked the SOS phone!
And again I'm in and again the list from "my little rouge heart" is of great help to me and works it's magic very well (inluding a mixed-in glass of champagne and one or two shinigly cleaned rooms, borrowed from Madame Olenskas list).
ReplyDeleteMany thanks for the direct phone-line!