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.

First priority is getting your periods and anaemia sorted out. Too many people just get used to these conditions and it’s just not ok. You will feel so much better if you have normal iron levels and normal or no periods.

Then put things in the diary so you have things to look forward to. Meals or coffe with friends, trips, cinema, facial, whatever floats your boat but work on always having plans. Then consider trying new things and expanding your horizons in ways you’ve previously not considered.

At an advanced age (and with very poor sleep and heavy periods) have got into attempting running

I have hated all forms of exercise apart from a little yoga up to now

Several keys to my enjoyment

• couch to 5 k and having spoken to friends realizing it could take half a year to get running all the way
• happy to listen to music for half an hour just as I never get that me time
• realizing that people in the street see you out of breath they don't know if you have run 10k or 5mins
• if I run and am not feeling it (i.e. Heavy period days) no failure just to walk around for half an hour

Exercise does make sleeping better and lots of happy chemicals so agree with pp, if all you do is get out for a brisk walk several times a week that is well enough

I find reflecting on things I normally take for granted to be really good for making me feel happier. This morning I was stood under the hot shower thinking how lucky I am to have instant hot water, and how I shouldn't take it for granted. Curling up with my dogs, reading a good book and having a cup of tea are all things that make me genuinely happy and at peace. Appreciating my DS and DH and never taking them for granted either.

Decluttering is a good one too. Clears the mind.

Have you tried Cleaning OP?

It’s my ultimate joy

I like
Walking with my dog
Long bath with candles
Favourite music turned up loud
Meet up with friends
Yoga
Learn something new e.g. a language, cook a new dish
Read a good book
Swim

Hope this helps. I am trying to do something for myself too as life is so hectic but when I make myself do any of these I do feel better x

I love going to a good cafe where you don't feel you have to leave as soon as you've drunk your coffee. I have a leisurely coffee, with my book and journal and enjoy watching the world go by knowing I can't do anything because it's not my place. I am currently studying and this is a great way to remain focussed. It's also relatively inexpensive.

I wish I found cleaning therapeutic. Sadly for my house, I hate it. Some lovely ideas here though thank you.

Take a vitamin D supplement. It has transformed my energy levels. I take a high concentration mouth spray one.

I love a walk to a nice coffee shop, preferably with comfy chairs, with coffee and cake.

Also a bath with a nice drink, some chocolate and a book.

Some earlier said join a local fun community choir. I agree with that. I never sang on my life but started going to one of these types of choirs three years ago. I am someone who never sticks to any thing and easily think "I'd rather stay home" about most things and yet I have rarely missed a week in three years. Singing in harmony with others genuinely makes me happy. The focus needed to do it also keeps me in the "now" while learning new songs etc. It's is the only activity I genuinely look forward to and which my heart lifts when I think about going each week.

Making things makes me happy. No idea why.

I definitely fancy doing crochet or something. I'm not very crafty. The killer is the lack of child free time though, so going out to activities can be tricky.
This week I'm going to book a manicure, go for a long walk in the countryside and get my eyebrows threaded. I fancy treating myself to some new make up too.

For me it’s
Knitting
Reading
Baking
Rummaging around in charity shops
Going for long walks everyday either with dd/dp or by myself
Yoga
Painting my nails
Crafts
Seeing friends
A lovely coffee and ginger biscuits to dunk

You should definitely get your iron levels checked out.

Take a supplement or eat a more iron rich diet (not necessarily liver). Things like spinach, dried apricots, raisins, beans etc...
Do try and get out each day, look up at the sky.

Exercise is good too. Releases those endorphins. See your friends. Talking helps.
Take up a hobby.

Rummaging around in charity shops

Ahh I so love doing this!

A lot of them give me a strong urge to bloody clean though, some very dusty and unkept smelling ones within my area

Get thee over to YouTube and search for crafts! Its a lot cheaper than joining a group, and you can pick it up and put it down again.
There's loads of free patterns online. I get thread, needles and hooks from Ebay and they aren't too expensive.

I sense you like cleaning Blue I do love a good charity shop rummage actually.

Faron I’m a very odd woman

I once downloaded this App that purely contains mundane videos of people cleaning things to watch on my commute home

Yes! Getting your eyebrows threaded will really boost you and make you feel lighter. I love getting mine done.

WRT exercise, I don’t have time to go to the gym or anything like jogging, so I’ve started the 7 min work out with Davina McCall. 7 mins of my day builds up my heart rate and leaves my body feeling like I’ve done a real work out. It’s quite nice feeling the strain.

Blue they set me off too!

I love baking as well. I don't find it particularly relaxing but I get a real sense of accomplishment and achievement from it, which makes me feel positive. There's also something really nice about seeing things that you've baked being demolished by people and getting nice feedback from them about how it tastes

That actually sounds weirdly relaxing Blue
I think I could manage the Davinia workout. Starting with something small and achievable will be good.

I'll pop to the chemist on Monday and try to get some liquid iron.

What a fab thread- placemarking for inspo!

I'm placemarking too!

Oh, that cleaning app reminded me that this last week, BBC4 had a few of their 'slow TV' programmes on. One was in a monastery, following some monks during the day. One of them was making bread, and the camera was just watching him mixing the dough, leaving it to rise, etc. Another monk went and got some wood from a woodpile and took it to his carpentry workshop.
Another programme was a canal journey. Neither had any voice over commentary and it was very relaxing viewing.
Check them out on i-player.

Put on some cheesy music, turn it up loud and sing and dance, even better if your kids join in as well.