What cheers you up?

[AwkwardPaws27]

I'm feeling rather down in the dumps. It's probably the January / being a bit skint (saving for much-needed new bathroom) / post-Christmas blues.
I've started a new skincare regime but have so far failed to do any exercise or sort my diet out. I'm thinking I might try and start a new resolution each week this month (while continuing the others) as I've clearly failed 2/3 so far
My issue is... I just feel so glum and unmotivated. I just want to stay under a blanket, drink green tea and eat cheese until Spring.
Any quick fixes for feeling better? I normally have a bath but the current bathroom is so grim it's making me feel worse.

Make a friend, or talk to an old one, connections help

This time of year, shredding junk mail and old bills and adding the result to a compost bin. Digging out the other compost bin and spreading it on my garden. Planning what veg I am going to grow.

Going for a walk in the woods after heavy rain with a stout stick and clearing all the little barriers made by leaves so the water swirls satisfactorily away into the stream.

Absolutely getting outside and walking.

I will be getting back into my hour-long walks. I go immediately after school drop off and walk fast for an hour.
Making a proper pot of tea with loose leaves and drinking every drop.
Lighting the log burner and watching the flames.
Jigsaws. I love doing jigsaws. I have a huge pot of tea beside me and the radio on in the background.
Haircut and colour. Eyebrows sorted out.

Coffee, a fag and reading mumsnet!

Sort of. On a serious note, not much. I have a puppy, he's pretty loving and always wants to be picked up and give kisses. So he makes me smile. And my cat loves fuss. It's nice to feel wanted!

My dog - when he wants to play with his ball - his silly expression and enthusiasm always makes me smile.
A cuddle from my teens
A few episodes of my favourite comedy
Dance class

Hope you feel better soon - just do something, anything to find your smile again.

The easiest thing I can do that always cheers me up is listening to my favourite band or watching their DVDs loud and singing along.
Singing in the car is especially amazing as you don't have to worry about being overhead.
I am a terrible singer.

Going round to @ShortandSweet69 's house and stealing her puppy

A nice bath

Music - it's my medicine. Also, a walk with the dog clears my head and just makes me feel a hundred times better. A good book, snuggling with a blanket. And download the bbc sounds app and listen to Sindhu Vee, she's absolutely hilarious.

A new book from the charity shop and a bag of herbal tablet sweets in my coat pocket!

Anyone else get period amnesia, then wonder why it feels like the world is ending?

Yep, at 47 I still don't see the mood coming.

New stationery
Painting my nails
Clearing out or organising a room/cupboard
Fresh flowers
Having the windows open to let some crisp air in (when the local farmer hasn't been muck spreading 🤢)
Buying some fresher tasting type food with a focus on nutritional value feels productive and positive.
Also chocolate.
I can't go for walks atm but they definitely help massively if you can manage one somewhere green.

Tbh just going to a local shop and passing some small talk as you buy your milk or whatever can help if you're stuck inside your own head. Just a hi will do.

There are menstrual cycle tracking apps available so you can keep an eye on your period date and notice a pattern in your mood. Realising the glum, unsettled feelings (and worse) are 'just' because of damn hormone changes will really help. I use a basic one called Cycle.

Adding book shops and new book smell to my list.

Some wonderful suggestions on here.. I do a lot of these.
Another one I do is to spend some time looking at puppies on YouTube. Infallible. 🐶
Kittens and ferrets are also very cheering. 😸

Counting the days till spring - every day is getting lighter now. It really lifts my spirits.

Watching a good film all warm in bed
Flowers and candles
Chocolate
Going out for a walk/jog
Baking
Meditation
ASMR on youtube
Have a orgasm - Endorphins released in the brain to instantly make you happy. Same with any exercise but at least this is fun
Shopping
Watch tv
Reading
Decluttering- always good after Christmas
Watch some comedy- laughter is the best medicine
Have a nap

Don’t make fitness a big ‘event’ . Setting yourself up to embark on a new training regime/ class can be unrealistic. Just do something anything right now. 10 sits ups or jog on the spot for a min. If you’ve time do more. Do it in ad breaks. Stick on a Netflix show and do some weights. Try do do something anything every day no matter how small. The feeling of failure when you don’t keep up a regime or a class makes it hard to keep going. If you can get to a class sometimes great but it’s not nessesary. 20 min shred, (a popular one on mumsnet for years) hIT workouts etc all are on you tube. If you can buy a cheap pedometer the whole counting steps is a very easy way to keep on the move. I bought a bendy arm clamp thingy for my phone/tablet and I have a guilt free social media binge while cycling 40 mins on the exercise bike.

My bulbs are coming up. All over the place, some in the lawn, and some in my neighbours garden because the squirrels like to redistribute the wealth every autumn

Snowdrops - I love snowdrops!

A walk outside - every time. A cappuccino in a cafe with a bit of a buzz. A good book.
It used to be an open fire but we don't have one now, and I really miss it.
I spend inordinate amounts of time thinking about booking holidays as I cannot cope with the lack of sunlight.
Going to an art exhibition'/museum
Reconnecting with friends.
Going out to lunch
I always go into a nosedive in January /February

out in the fresh air or find a good indoor pool
catch up with friends
sort year planner dates with stuff to look forward to after January
spring clean
turf out stuff to charity shop
browse round sales
watch Live At The Apollo or a night out at a comedy club
flowers in the house
sunbed controversial
haircut
spa day
put deposit down on Summer holiday

DH and I were discussing dry January : my orignal plan was to do the entire month. Then I decided I'd do a week. Now I'm on just 1 small glass every other day.

Moral of the story? Yes, cut down on unhealthy stuff but dont make yourself utterly miserable by cutting stuff out completely!

Fresh air helps too.
Warming, nutritious foods,lots of veg incorporated.
Sleep!

I hate to quote a trend but embrace hygge.

Planning somethings to look forward holiday, night out, weekend away, seeing friends etc.
Brisk walk with dog either by self, with DH or one of the kids.
Phoning a good friend and having a natter.
Batch cooking, making too much and putting some things in the freezer.
Decluttering.
Tidying with happy 80’s tunes blaring in my earphones.
Reading.
Moisturising my feet after a recent chiropodist appointment.
The feeling I get afterwards when I push myself at the gym. I don’t look forward to going but love the feeling afterwards.
Glass of something nice.
Candles.

I make sure to get up earlier and start the day at a chilled paced as opposed to rushing around like a mad woman lol.

I am also happy that Confetti UK (my fave quiz on FB) is back today, hoping to win that £3000 to pay off mine and my DH heavy Xmas.

It is at 1:30 if you want to join me haha.

Sending you white light.

Mx

walking on the beach or forest with grandkids, hubby, dogs, plannin garden for spring, starting tomato seeds this month.