What is your fail safe pick me up for when you are feeling emotionally sad?

[FabBakerGirlIsBack]

Anyone?

[OrmIrian]

Run. Hot shower. Glass of wine. Early night with book. Never fails.

[MadameDefarge]

Georgette Heyer. In bed.

[Claire2009]

Sleep.
For a walk in the fresh air.
Shopping.

[mollyroger]

garden. Get 'grounded' bare hands in soil, etc.

Laugh -watch something funny. With friends, even better

Sing - put radio/cd on, sing loudly, like no-one else is listening.

Cry - sometimes I indulge the feeling, encourage it with some sad music or something, have a good blub and feel like I have had a huge release, IYKWIM.

Count blessings - even really small things count.

[shivermetimbers]

Cuddles from DD.Never fails.

[FabBakerGirlIsBack]

I need something that will keep me from having any thinking time.

I am in at the moment as DS2 is napping and I have 2 hours before DH, DS1 and DD are home.

I am going to make some cards.

Some days I feel so lonely.

[FabBakerGirlIsBack]

I worry if I cry I won't stop and it doesn't help.

I feel panicky that I won't ever feel happy again.

[PortBlacksandResident]

Watch Wimbledon semis too .

[littlelamb]

Can I ask a question fbg? Would you be able to get a job? SInce I've been on maternity leave and now having been made redundant I feel low much more often. I think if I had a job I'd really feel much better in myself. Have you looked into that?

[FabBakerGirlIsBack]

I have been at home for 9 years and I enjoy being fairly free to do what I want as long as the kids are sorted.

I wouldn't mind a job but not if it meant putting the kids in child care.

I am upsetting myself and it makes no sense.

[littlelamb]

If the problem is too much time to think, could you not do some volunteer work? How old is your youngest? If you helped out at a nursery or preschool you wouldn't have to worry about childcare.

[FabBakerGirlIsBack]

DH comes home and asks me if I have been thinking again when I am really low.

My youngest starts school in September and I have volunteered to help for an hour one day a week (all they need).

I want to bake for a living but wouldn't have a clue where to start and would get stressed as the house would be even more messy.

Have loads of plans for when DS2 is at full time school in Jan 2010 and all of them involve stuff around the house.

[elderflowercordial]

You are a wonderful, warm and kind person and you write witty, insightful and sometimes outrageous posts which are brilliant anyway, you are never alone here on MN so don't think you are.

There. Feel better? Apart from heartfelt compliments, Michael McIntire or other great comedy, being kind to others will make you happy as will surrounding yourself with beauty.

Exercise (when you can) is brilliant even though you may find it hard to motivate yourself, even going for a short jog, instantly releases endorphins.

Also doing something you have put off for ages is good, or find difficult, because the sense of achievement increases the more difficult it is to achieve!

[princessmel]

Seeing my friends. Being with people.

[FabBakerGirlIsBack]

Outrageous?? she does hoping I am outrageous in a good way.

I am okay at this second in time.

I was going to do something and didn't as I knew it would upset me so that feels like an achievement.

Am wondering if I should just take it a minute at a time rather than worrying about the future? I do tend to wish my life away at times too.

[princessmel]

I feel lonely sometimes. I think it has something to do with the fact thatI'm a twin and have always 'been' with someone.

I have times of feeling low and lonely and when I d I just plan lots of things. I arrange to meet someone in the day, everyday. This week I saw a diff friend on monday and wed, met a friend in town on thur morning and had someone over thur afternoon, and someone will be coming over today.
I have come to realise that I am just no good on my own for too long.

On the flip side of this I am 24 weeks pregnant with dc3 and all this 'doing' is very tiring!! But I prefer that to being lonely.

I also chat to a few regular friends on facebook. Nothing exciting, just what you having for lunch etc, but it's nice to chat to people.

[FabBakerGirlIsBack]

I have no rl friends and that makes me

I used to have loads until I had my children and then moved.

[mollyroger]

fabBaker - it sounds like you feel you have lost yourself.
9 years at home is a log time.
My saviour was volunteering to help at Oxfam. I stipulated that I couldn't help during school hols and that was fine. I did 4 hours once a week ad it was fab! They found out what I enjoyed and was god at and I 'progressed' for sorting out the crap to window dressing, which I adored! And it gave me such a buzz.
I made friends too

[princessmel]

Oh Where are you?

Do you have school mum friends? I made loads of new friends when ds started nursery/school. Coud you arrange a coffee/play/meet up with some of them?

[elderflowercordial]

Right then set yourself a challenge/project to get yourself some rl friends!

Are you up for it? we can help you plan the strategy!

Yes outrageous in a good way.

[PortBlacksandResident]

It is so easy to obsess with small things when you're bored and lonely too. I knew when i started to get upset when the throw got rumpled that i needed to get out more - i'm not joking! the more you do the less little things matter.

Are you sure you can't start baking? - or better still go somewhere to bake (obv you need certificates and stuff to sell from home).

[FabBakerGirlIsBack]

Just made some pizza dough so

I did think I had made friends when DD started school but I upset a mum (definitely unintentionally) and they all sided with her. A couple pass the time with me but they aren't true friends tbh.

I hope to make some friends when DS2 starts. 3rd time lucky.

[hatwoman]

in answer to your op - mine are running and walking the dog. they are ways of being alone, and having thinking time, without feeling lonely. you can;t help but look around you and enjoy the fresh air.

if your dcs are all going to be in ft school soon you can make lots of plans (not all of them house-related) - some time for exercie for yourself, some more sociable stuff like the other suggestions, possibly some study? I've always worked - but not full-time and when dcs went full-time it felt so exciting. for the first time in years and years I was going to have some time where I got to chose what I do. embrace it - sounds like you deserve and need it.

[FabBakerGirlIsBack]

I plan to start swimming again. I used to go twice a week when pg with DS1 and got a bit twitchy if I didn't go.

I love baking but that is trying to fill a need in me really, plus the kids love it, without me addressing the issues.

I will be starting with therapy soon though..

[FabBakerGirlIsBack]

Thank you for the pimms and strawberries port