To ask what small things I can do to make myself happier?

[Farontothemaddingcrowd]

I've had a bad time with depression and relationship break ups. Always the dumpee for some reason.

I'm a single parent to 3 dc but my youngest is nearly 8, so I'm starting to get a bit of time to myself. I'm anaemic and constantly exhausted and often don't feel like doing much.

I need a kick up the bum. I'm not going to feel any better if I keep wallowing.

What small or big things might help me to feel happier?

My cat is currently making me happy, purring away while nestled in the crook of my arm.

I think I'd quite like to do something completely decadent and self indulgent.

If I want something easy, luxurious and healthy I cook pasta, then when it's cooked & drained stir over a very low heat with creme fraiche, butter, salt and pepper and an entire bag of spinach which wilts down in the heat.

Going on the mini pill and stopping my periods helped my iron levels recover, don't know if you can do that? Plus no more PMT!

Feroglobin is cheaper than a prescription fee anyway, and really easy to take - just a spoonful of fruity concentrate.

@AlpacaLypse my gp told me there wasn't a difference in price, but they were told to prescribe the awful one first. Not that she called it awful.

Get someone to have the DC overnight whilst you stay at home. Have a nice hot bath with a bath bomb from lush, take 10 minutes to moisturise all over (This always feels like a real test to me as I never spend time pampering myself), get into some new fluffy pjs, order a Chinese and then get into bed with clean sheets and watch Netflix.

@problembottom I love to do this.

Go for a lovely long walk in the country (or park if country too hard to get to).

Then have coffee & cake in a nice cafe afterwards.

I haven't read the entire thread but...
I've recently discovered Vitamin B

It works almost instantly (approx 2-3 hours to absorb) and gives you that "awake" feeling type of energy. I feel 10 years younger.

I'm also taking Floradix tablets and a Vitamin D spray. My low mood has improved and I'm feeling more motivated and able to think clearly, the "meh" fog has cleared.

Other things to do: Have a massage and a beauty treatment that will make a visible difference. I had my eyebrows threaded and tinted and dyed my hair. My face looks "tidier" so I bought a bright red lipstick and I now feel less "urgh" and more "well, hellooo" when I catch a glimpse of my reflection.

Good luck

Vitamin D tablets cost £3 from Morrison's

Going out. Even if for a walk around the block, but preferably somewhere green.
I used to do it when living with exH. I don't feel the need so much these days. :)

Put some happy music on and dance to it. The sillier the moves the better.

Meet with happy friends who you can have a laugh with.

Wear colourful clothes, or something just because you feel like it.

Watch a silly comedy series or film.

My mood has improved since I started walking every day. I have a Fitbit and let it boss me around - I find it quite easy to do my 10,000 steps through the day.

Crochet! Saved my sanity in midst of winter depression on maternity leave.

It's easy to learn with lots of free tutorials online, you can pick up some cheap wool to practice on, you improve quite quickly and can work on different projects.

I also found it very calming as it's a repetitive task. And if our are making something- so it also feels very creative.

I was on ferrous fumerate and my poo was black! It was horrible.

OP I'm ill, so a couple of little things I do that take no effort, are painting my nails, and wearing a different perfume each day. I've bought a few (ahem, quite a few actually!) new nail varnishes, so I have fun trying out new colours. I've also bought quite a few perfume samples. Roullier White is one place I've got some from, and I've subscribed to The Perfume Society for others.
Each morning, I pick one of the samples to try and I make notes in a notebook about whether I like them, what notes I can pick out etc.

Just two little things that don't cost a lot, take little to no effort, brighten my day, and are a little way of loving myself.

I hope you can get your anaemia sorted as that will make a big difference. You could do with some of my mum's blood, she has the opposite problem, her last ferritin count was over 100! She has to have a venisection every few months to bring the numbers down.

Crochet might be a lovely hobby to get into with my dd.

Thanks for the ideas, I am reading and taking note.

That recipe for the pasta sounds lovely

If your blood levels are still being sorted out then walk as a form of exercise. The fresh air will do you good and this time of year is great for re-energising yourself. Wrap up in a nice scarf and hat, go for 20-30 minutes on a dry but windy day and it really does shake the cobwebs off! Plus it's a great excuse for making yourself a mug of hot chocolate when you get back

I second the bright polish on your toes. I don't do my fingers often because I type a lot so it doesn't last, but there's something really cheerful about having nice colourful toes - mine are currently hot pink.

Make your home a sanctuary - nice cushions, nice bed linen, comfy soft throws, scented candles. If I have had a shit day it always cheers me up when a light a nice candle and snuggle up with a soft throw on the sofa with my dogs.

Oh and at the risk of stating something obvious, try and surround yourself with happy people! You don't need to be rah-rah-cheerleader happy for every second of the day, but people who are content are much nicer to be around than people who are negative. If you have anyone who is relentlessly miserable and you can distance yourself - or limit the time you spend with them - then it will help.

Clean fresh bedding and nice pyjamas.

Stroking the cat.

Watching funny films with the kids.

Fresh air and sunshine.

Wine and friends, lots of seeing friends.

All these things help cheer me up. 💐

And a brand new novel...

Soluble vitamin c tablets, supermarket ones seem as good as Berocca- I take one when I feel wiped out or have a heavy day ahead and it seems to give me a bit more zing - I think vit c helps with iron absorption too.

Go for a walk along a pretty riverbank. Read a good book. Take up knitting or knit yourself some if you already knit. Go swimming or learn how to.

Go swimming. Lots

Brilliant thread.

I like the idea of trying a new thing every day. I have just made a list of 90 things to do!

There a few different types of iron tablets. I found Fumerate made me feel less ill than the sulphate. Once my levels were ok I swithched to spatone to maintain my iron levels which is much kinder. Take your iron pills with food with a squeeze of lemon juice in or a bit of juice to help it absorb more efficiently. Be very kind to yourself.

Whilst the DC are out cosy up with a duvet and pillow on the sofa and the hot water bottle on your tummy and binge watch a TV series. Wear yoga pants or jogging bottoms for comfort. Let the kids have some oven dinners e.g. pizza and chips. I often just have a few spoons of beans on toast or a boiled egg and soliders when I feel tired out. Making big meals from scratch for everyone, every day is a rod I made for my own back.

When you can manage it try to get out for a walk - build it up slowly. If possible drive to somewhere nice (not urban) with far horizons.

Coddle yourself.