how are you making yourselves feel better?

[theotherfossilsister]

I've posted about depression/bereavement before. Basically this year has chucked the whole lot at me, but I know it's done the same to others too.

For some reason the news about the mutation has really knocked me.

So what are you guys doing to feel better? DP took me on a walk this morning which was lovely (I am an agoraphobic mess so I struggle to go alone.) I am also planning a very early morning run tomorrow with the head torch, as I am not as agrophobic at 6am which sounds weird.

What is everyone else doing to survive/feel OK? I've had so much loss this year that sometimes I feel like I can't survive it, but I know I have to. I just want things to be less shit.

It would be great if this became a general thread to help others in this horrible rainy covid winter.

Reading. I have read more books than ever this year...let's me escape for a while

Baths. I'm basically turning into a amphibious creature
Candles, nice smelling ones
Easy Netflix watching like the good witch

Cosy video nights with the kids and nice food (takeaway, wine/ beer)

Also baths. Cold showers(even if only to finish off).
Eating, drinking and shagging.
Not consuming news. Feel-good media obly as far as possible. An hour of daylight every day. 10,000 steps.

@theresagiantonthebeach oh what are you reading? I've just been rereading old familiar stuff lately, but am a librarian and the new David Mitchell Utopia Avenue came in today. In normal times it would have a million reses but it had none, so now I have it. It's huge and daunting but I loved the bone clocks.

@QueenPaws That sounds lovely. Our cat who is the best cat in the world disatached the bath plug and hid it earlier this year, and we still are to find it. Maybe I should get a new plug? I like the idea of just turning into a mermaid until this over.

@immortalstone ah that sounds good, have been watching The Crown and love it, even when I know it's being all expositionish.

@Palavah - not consuming news! Now that sounds amazing. The news makes me almost cry.

The beach. Really early while nobody else is around. DH makes me a flask of hot chocolate, we wrap up warm and walk for a couple of miles, stopping for a sit and a drink when I need to. It’s one of the few places I feel like I can really breathe.

Also, fairy lights and old black & white films. Total escapism from everything in the 21st century.

Lastly, I’m a crafter. There are a few things I make which are repetitive but require complete concentration. So I get myself warm and comfortable and do that. It clears my mind completely.

Gin. As history has told us lol.

Watching 'The Walking Dead' to make me appreciate that however bad it is at least we don't have a zombie apocalypse to deal with.
Also reading and walking, but I would do both of those anyway.

@Sn0tnose Yes, the beach. I would have to run across nasty road to get there, but I reckon at 6am it might be worth it. The dark, the salt on my face. It sounds beautiful.

I'm not a crafter, but my sister is and makes beautiful things, What do you make?

@veeeeh I happen to know that DPs unopened Christmas Present from my parents is gin, and would love to open it, but he is firmly of the save it to Christmas Day, school. I think this is bollocks because you have far too much booze sloshing round on Christmas day.

@mamaduckbone I can't watch anything sad at the moment, although it sounds good.

I used to love walking before horrible agrophobia, but slowly getting it back. What books are you reading?

@QueenPaws are you me?!?

I second soaking in the bath till 2021...also online shopping has become an addiction I need to deal with in the new year.

Cooking, trying out new recipes

And exercise.

Also the morning cup of tea that DH brings me in bed. And my under mattress heater.

I am swimming in the sea. I have tried several antidepressants over the past year but swimming in the sea has transformed my relationship with life

@Happyforthem What are you cooking? Please tell me? Anything easy? I am very good at chopping vegetables very very small, and throwing them in a pot, and not very good at any other kind of recipe. Are you baking?

DP brings me a night time cup of tea but he's got to be away tonight.

@ImperfectTents Wow. Where are you? I'm in Scotland and terrified but tempted if it will make things better.

My mum is agoraphobic and when I can occasionally get her out, the beach is where she likes being too. I mean, she tucks herself in the corner of the beach wall, won’t let go of it and will only go when it’s freezing and still dark, but the air feels different there. She does breathing exercises with me and we both come back feeling clear headed and refreshed. Braving the cold is definitely worth it. Horrible condition 💐

I do a bit of everything (except crochet. Crochet is a bastard) But I have a Cricut machine, I make crystal baubles, cross stitch, knitting, I sew etc. It’s perfect for clearing your brain.

@Sn0tnose that sounds lovely, ah to go to the beach. I can imagine your mum loving it, thank you for telling me that.

and the baubles you make sound beautiful.

Coming out of an episode of bipolar depression so I take quite a lot of lithium (as prescribed but hopefully can reduce it soon) and smoke a lot of weed each evening but mostly I think it’s about resting and routine for me. Bed by 10pm usually and I try not to get up before 5 or after 7am. Mucking out and dog walking count as outdoor exercise for now. Doing an OU course in photography which is fun, spending a lot of time in the digital darkroom at the moment. Do you have any really absorbing hobbies?

Nothing works. I walk to try and stop myself chucking myself in front of a train. My plan has always been to hang on till child is 18. Only 4 more years to go.

I'm finding that I can't read anything heavy, although I seem to be able to watch zombies no problem (it's a way of spending time with the teenager as well)
The last 3 books I read were:
'The Truants' by Kate Weinberg
'Queenie' by Candice Carty-Williams

• both good escapism - and I've just started 'Three Things About Elsie' which I'm struggling with a bit because it's about an old lady and it makes me miss my mum.

Lovely thread, thank you. Sorry you've had a hard year and bereavements.

I'm having mixed success with:

Relaxing TV, including old series of GBBO
Making recipes I don't usually make
Lots of crafts, have made some simple quilts
Walking walking walking
Lots of board games
Phoning friends for a chat

I'm also accepting I won't feel as happy this year as a normal year, and I fine when I accept it I feel slightly less unsettled.

all round

@theotherfossilsister, oh I’m cooking loads of vegetables, and trying different ways of ‘dressing’ them. It s great fun.
I’m trying different Middle Eastern inspired recipes (because dh bought us pomegranate molasses) and I love watching ottolenghi cook, I find him gentle and soothing (although in truth I mostly love steamed veg with little to no added flavours). Im also roasting different veg and dressing with walnut oil, salt, pepper and lemon juice.
Someone on mumsnet mentioned cooking cabbage with caraway seeds and I’ll try that next.

Chimeraforce that sounds tough...I hope you've got someone you can talk to IRL.

@Chimeraforce

Nothing works. I walk to try and stop myself chucking myself in front of a train. My plan has always been to hang on till child is 18. Only 4 more years to go.

I'm so sorry you feel this way, I sincerely hope this does change for you

Meeting various friends regularly outdoors for a walk (sometimes with little cans of G&T 😬)