What brings a little joy into your life?

[Angelicabean]

I’m struggling to find joy in anything at the moment. What do you do to give yourself a boost when you are feeling low?

I feel exactly the same way today. Haven't got the energy to find the bright spots.

My siamese cat seems to sense that, and is being an utter clown. Currently she's sat on my daughter's exercise book, literally eating her homework.

I have been feeling low and anxious of late. I've found making sure I go for walk/get out the house at least once a day and listen to a favourite podcast or audio book. Also buying a few of my favourite foods has helped a bit

Social distanced coffee with my best friend.

I go down the rabbit hole on YouTube yesterday it was James. Cordens car pool kareoke which led onto Neil Patrick. Harris singing with James Corden which ended up at the Tony awards an hour I wasted and it was a joy. So pick something you like and see where you end up. Hope you pick up soon

I feel like a lot of the things that brought me some joy (long term living with depression, anxiety and CFS/ME) were taken away by Covid 19. Things like popping out for a nice latte and cake/muffin in a cafe; going on a bus or train journey to another town/city/coast for an afternoon or a day out; browsing in the library; having a pedicure and meeting up with a friend.

Small pleasures at present: walking (really discovered how beautiful my area is, as I've only been further than 3 miles from home about 3 times since March); reading (now I've managed to buy a few books that I probably would have borrowed); starting a bit of gardening); coffee made with my £6.99 Aldi stovetop pot.

I love a scented candle for a treat!

Dd1 has the Aldi stove pot was at her garden last week for a stove top coffee was very nice

@Mrsjayy, it took me a few tries to get the hang of it, but I'm using it far more than my cafetiere now. I love it!

Couple of cigarettes a week.

Go for a walk and whilst out look for things of beauty or interest, really let your mind explore these things, forget about yourself for a while. You need the break from being aware of when you aren't experiencing joy.

@CremeEggThief she said it was a faff but she likes it.

New stationery or chocolate

Watching the bees in the garden.

Reading. I love books so I've been setting time aside each evening once the kids are in bed so read. I've also just spent a fortune on nice tea!

Could you post instructions for the Aldi stove top coffee pot? I can't get the hang of it!

Squirrels

I usually put on a face mask, have a really hot shower and wash my hair. Put on a bit of fake tan and then dry and style my hair.
It really makes me feel nice and better when I'm feeling down.
If that fails, I just look through my wedding photos or talk to my husband, he usually knows what to say to get me out of feeling down

Taking an online live yoga class. All larger yoga centres offer classes with fantastic teachers in all styles and different levels. I've used triyoga.

@GeorgeTheFirst, I had the actual instructions on my fridge door the first few times I used it, but chucked them away.

Here's what I do:
Fill the bottom part with cold water to just below the gold screw things that are in it.
Fill the coffee holder part with ground coffee. I have a scoop I got with my cafetiere, so I use that. About 2 or 2 and a half scoops fills it completely.
Twist the parts back together and put it on a high heat on your smallest hob ring.
After 5-10 minutes, when it's come to the boil, check to see if the top part is filled with coffee. Then pour. Some will probably spill out, as it's hard to twist all the parts back together without a gap.

The above makes me two medium sized cups worth, if serving half and half with hot milk. You could probably get 6 espressos out of it.

Running or cycling while on furlough.

I know my job has probably gone, but it still helps me feel good.

Wine!

Stovepot coffee here too - and made into a flat white with my Aldi milk heater/frother thingy (bought pre covid though only used now)

OP - I like to get out early and go for a run - love to feel like I'm the only one out and about. Even if you can't run, just being outside while the day is waking up. Often it's sunny first thing before the clouds come over.

A hot bath? Getting in bed early with a warm drink and a good book or something nostalgic to watch on tv/iplayer like The Good life/Bergerac or something easy/funny like The Goldbergs/Car Share

@Angelicabean - thought of another. Sarah Millican has read her "How to be Champion" book out across 94 episodes still all available to watch on her Instagram Account.
The book is a bit of self help mixed with autobiography - definitely worth a read but listening to her talk it is also really good.

Fresh flowers. At the moment I have sunflowers which are really cheerful flowers. I love mostly anything yellow. Dh buys me some on his way home most weeks. He says his hobby is making me happy.

Also recently I bought myself a new bottle of perfume. I'd run out and hinted at my birthday and Christmas and Mother's Day and no joy. I love Eau D'Issey so got some. Every wee spray is lovely.

I also phone my Dd1 who is 20 and living with her boyfriend now. She's so cheerful even 5 minutes really raises my spirits.

Another vote for both wine and cigarettes!
On a healthier note, getting into a good tv series or a gripping book. Making myself a really nice meal (I’m one of those who has been expanding my repertoire in lockdown!). Sitting in the garden and just enjoying nature. A good long chat putting the world to rights. Feeling like I’m achieving something, however small. I am slowly sorting my house one cupboard and drawer at a time and I get a buzz from seeing the bits that are sorted.