Little things that make you happy

[biscuitdunkerette]

Feeling pretty meh at the moment. Darkness, cold etc. I feel pretty drained from many months of providing support to others, and want to fill my own cup a bit. Otherwise I’m in danger of drifting into proper sadness. I already take anti depressants (low dose).

Normally going out a walk perks me up but the winter blues are proving strong this year.

What do you do for a mini lift?

Herbal teas in glass cups
Fairy lights
Good reading material
H reading out DailyMash articles
Nice glass of red wine
Clear kitchen table
Drawing people
Reading poetry to the teens, they pretend they hate it but always stick around to explain in length how terrible it is
Completing small annoying DIY jobs that usually take no more than an hour
Jam doughnuts
Music on the radio
An interesting broadcast on radio4
Getting my to-read pile down enough to justify buying some new books
Donating good stuff to charity shops knowing someone will snap it up and they will get some funds
Spicy squash soup
Dal and rice
Perfect fish in restaurants
Enough time in the morning to enjoy a coffee before chaos starts

An excellent list!

Taking the dog for a walk
Going to the gym
Reading
Podcasts
Music
Tv
Baking
Coffee and a pastry
Seeing the little Robin that comes into my garden
Looking around charity shops and finding a bargain
Fresh flowers
Fresh bedding
Glass of Malbec
Catching up with family / friends
Family history
Planning days out / trips away

sometimes when I feel like this I enjoy a jolly good wallow! Jump on my bike, bone-conducting headphones on, off we go. Sing along to all the depressing songs, imagine I'm in my own music video. My daughter calls this having "main character energy"! And she's right, it perks me up to feel like the main character for a bit.

Gardening & standing or sitting around in the garden with some hot tea
Swimming outdoors & then going in the steam room to warm up
Fairy lights
Comfort books
Low key socialisation (eg. Coffee & natter, mate round for tea, walks etc)
I just watched Mrs Harris goes to Paris (on netflix) which was uplifting and absorbing and silly.
Also, planning a little solstice celebration with sun themed food
I tend to start feeling better in January when I can see the sun gradually returning.

It's been a long gloomy year here. Working full time doesn't help as can't just nip out when it's nice.

Vitamin D

Clean sheets. My DH changed the sheets this morning and I'm really looking forward to getting back into bed!

@Joyfulincolour I love the sound of that book Self Care For Winter and the awe hunting. What a wonderful idea.

My glimmers are:

My fairy lights
A good book or film or tv drama
Cuddling a guinea pig under my duvet and hearing it purr

Taking my littles out for crisp walks all wrapped up cozy and watching them jump in puddles, them asking questions I don't usually have the answers for and then home for hot chocolate and a movie (Toy Story on repeat) and all the cuddles!
This is the reason I live and it just makes me feel warm and happy inside 💜