Anyone fancy a Do something new every day thread?

[woodcutbirds]

Been discussing how much it helped kick me out of depression to do something - anything - every day that I'd not done before or not since childhood, or something I was scared to do. It made more difference than anything else.
Does anyone fancy having a go at doing something new every day for a week?

Hi Badgers Hope you enjoy the film. My new thing is not going well. Trying for the first time ever to update my computer so I can run an app on it that isn;t compatible with the system I currently use. But I am having endless glitches and making no progress. Really frustrating. But new.

Hi, hope you sorted the computer problems out woodcut. Nothing like that is ever simple.

Today I am definitely starting to feel better as the initial side effects of the meds have worn off. I have taken dd to the park and even had some energy for playing with her, which thrilled her to bits.

We have also made a lemon and orange cake in the microwave which sounds sacrilegious, but was pretty nice warm. A recipe I will keep for when I need a super quick emergency pudding.

Later on I'm planning on making some mint tea with leaves from the mint I planted in the garden the other day, which is pretty exciting.

Hi all,

Glad you and your dd had fun at the park Badgers - it's lovely when you feel like you're able to give them that one to one time. Also it's amazing what you can rustle up in the microwave. I went through a phase of making jam sponge puddings but you had to eat them in the split second between them taking the roof of your mouth off and them turning to concrete . I miss my microwave.

Thanks for all the advice about the shrine before woodcut. Once the dcs go to their dad's i'll hopefully be able to clear both the literal and mental space for that. Love having fresh flowers in the house and they really do draw the eye.

Yesterday was a day out with the dcs which sadly ended in the kind of 'new thing' i was hoping would never happen: dd2 (9 yrs) swearing at her 5 year old brother. The f word as well . Still, it's been dealt with and she's apologised and is in a much better day today. Touch wood.

Started my knitted throw project and it's been nice to have that on the go through the chaos.

Ah Ruffle they all do it. It's such a shock when you hear it, but they all try it at least once to see what effect it has on others.
I admire the knitted throw project - I am useless at crafts.

Badgers all of that sounds lovely - playing in the park, happy DC, lemon and orange sponge, fresh mint tea.

With the help of DS2's saintly patience and knowledge, I have finally upgraded my computer, so am very excited about playing around with the new app - today's new thing. I'm trying to do stuff I find hard and scary - and all things techy are that to me.

I love hearing about your lovely days!

@woodcutbirds - my DS2 is my IT Department too! Isn't it fab when your kids can help you with things? Makes you feel so proud.

My DS2 ordered a panini/Toastie/waffle maker yesterday so our new thing this morning was making waffles in it. OMG SO DELICIOUS. Hot and crispy, sprinkled with cinnamon and sugar - amazing.

We had a BBQ and invited my parents round, which was lovely. Now we're all watching the documentary about Lancaster Bombers, which isn't really holding my attention, as you can tell. 😆

mmm...waffles sound amazing sodding

I'm glad you got your IT stuff sorted woodcut.

How's everyone doing today? I had a lovely day yesterday but today I am feeling utterly overwhelmed by everything I try to do.

I did sign up for an online course as my new thing but then ended up quitting as my head just sort of exploded and I went all ridiculous. I had to go and sit in the garden with a cup of tea to calm myself down. I don't know why I'm in such a tizz today. I think it's just going to be one of those days you get through and hope tomorrow is better.

@PowerBadgersUnite

I've felt like that before! The weird fizzy head, all claustrophobic and panicky. I think it's perfectionism - you get sort of locked into this feeling of needing it to be perfect. As soon as it's not (because how could it be?!), you start berating yourself and overthinking until you just shut down.

What course was it? Could you try again but with an attitude of "good enough is good enough"?

That's exactly how I feel sodding! All fizzy headed. I think I will give it another go when I'm feeling a bit better. Everything is just a bit much today.

You poor thing. Did you drink anything over the long weekend? I'm sure I've read that alcohol makes it worse because it depletes your Vitamin B stores - and Vit B are your natural stress-relievers.

Just have a lazy day.

Hi everyone,
Sorry to hear the online course overwhelmed you Badgers But good advice form sodding. Can you take it slowly if it's online? Do tiny bits of it at your own pace?
I felt like I'd given up on yesterday. Was really tired and felt like I spent the day in bed, but writing an 'at least I' list proved I cleaned the bathroom, did some prep for a client I'm meeting today, updated my computer, downloaded the new app and did its tutorial, read a few chapters of a book and cooked dinner. Very sluggish day physically, but at least I did those things, with the app tutorial as the New Thing.

Today I went for an early morning swim with one friend, then a walk with another and went out for breakfast before doing some work together. Going out for breakfast is today's New Thing. Not done that in thirty five years. Working this afternoon. Still feeling a bit physically sluggish though.

woodcut The "'at least I' list" is such a good idea! I've never heard of that before.

I'm in bed at the moment (came upstairs to get something and then just couldn't resist the sweet siren call of the duvet) but an "At Least I" list shows that I've already done one load of laundry, cleared up the kitchen, run the dishwasher, made lunch for DS2 and sent supportive message to DH who's waiting on hearing back about his job interview.

I feel epic now!

I don't drink alcohol sodding. I am awfully pure and worthy.

I do a "Things I did today" list every evening. It always makes me feel so much better.

Well done on the swimming and walking woodcut. I think I could do with getting out for a little walk now you mention it. I might take an amble round the block in a bit.

Yes woodcut it's so important to give ourselves credit for everything we do get done. The mental load most of us keep ticking over is often immense when you actually stop and think about it.

I took a new book out of the library today and also an 80s Doctor Who dvd for dd2 which, although not new to me, was obviously new to her and dd1.

Am now watching Gentleman Jack and trying out some new vegan chicken burgers, of all things!

Have been plodding on with the singing. Not only does it do wonders for my mood but I swear it's actually toning up my jowels too! . Dd2 came in and said "you actually sing quite well" (think she might have been humouring me). Strangely, my cd buying has turned her into a Carole King fan. Think the Gilmore Girls connection helps but then she was playing the whole of Tapestry in her room this afternoon without any prompting from me. Lovely when teenagers surprise you in a good way!

Waffles sound delicious. I find I can have a good day and then a bad day, or a run of good ones and a bad one/bad run.

woodcut sounds like you did loads. Going out for breakfast sounds great.

My organising weekend ended up being an internet hole. I had read a health related book which gave me lots of things to Google, some of which was a waste of time. I need to be a bit more discerning about how I spend my time. I wonder if I am not appreciating it as much because I am off work - I bet when I go back I will curse myself!

I did find a lot of classical music on You Tube which I have favorited. For anyone interested I've got:

Bach, Baroque for get up and go
Mozart, Haydn, Pachelbel for concentration
Gregorian chanting and shamanic drums (no seriously!) for deep relaxation, something like Enya would be similar
'Best of' love songs, Jazz, merengue for feel good

Love a bit of indie folk e.g. fleet foxes, need to get on spotify to find more of that.

I read a great working from home blog a while ago which mentioned different music for different days of the week. Monday was "get up and go" e.g. Run DMC, Tuesday was concentration (www.coffivity.com), Wednesday was 'classical epics' (e.g. film music) to get through hump day, Thurs was any favourite "power on through" music, Friday was 80s feel good!

I also bought an Aromatherapy Diffuser (aroma works from debenhams), after much deliberation. It arrived today and is so lovely. It has changing colours (a nice feature). With a closed door it does fill a room, not sure how it will fare on the open plan front room but my bedroom currently smells like a lavender field! I ordered a starter kit of oils from Fresh Skin and I am looking forward to trying them out.

My new thing today was an aqua fit class. Dragged myself there and boy it was hard work. The teacher had terrible timing too! I am leaning towards joining my local gym (to be decided). On the way back I bought some yellow spray carnations from Lidl, just a little treat. There was a cacophany of birdsong on the walk home and the sun was shining.

I need to watch my sleeping as the last couple of days have gone a bit awry as you can see!

I’m still here, drawing inspiration from your new things. I struggle, but I’m training myself (with finding new things).
And I found one!
Yesterday I oficially worked in a new role (for which I am training. I started Uni (postgrad) last week. Yesterday the ‘training’ started in earnest).
Of course! Why didn’t I see it as a new thing I did? No idea!
Also, on Sunday I set up my first ever ipad! I helped with setting up before, I bought one for my then husband, one for my DD, but I never actually had my own. I do now!
And today I am starting a new class at the local leisure centre, a 6 weeks course to get me toned —killed—

This is better!
Hope you all have a fab day!

LOVE THIS!!
When DC were little&i was pretty depressed&getting used to being lone parent one of the coolest things we used to do was write down ideas of literally anything we wanted to do/try& it made our free time a bit mad&special..out of this came some wierdly wonderful day trips,making bug traps,fostering animals.Making food from other countries- i even ended up at the Barrier Reef snorkelling with DC on Green Island (that took a bit more planning!).

@BonAccordSpur Hi and welcome. Please join us. I love the sound of your lists with your DC.
ADHD you've done so much. I'm impressed. Lots of feel good things - flowers and diffusers and fitness classes.
Fencing - all that techie stuff and starting uni. Wow. I really hope the post grad course leads to lots of new and exciting adventures for you too.

I've been doing something similar for the past few months.

I decided, at New Year, that rather than giving things up, I was going to try to add things to my life that would make it better and more positive, which would help my mental health. I have managed some things, but the thing that has worked the best is that I try to listen to a piece of music I don't know, and read a poem I don't know, each day.

I don't beat myself up if I don't manage it every day (and that, in itself, is a new thing, because I am extremely good at beating myself up), but I do manage most days, and I have found it to be a good experience.

SDTG Poetry is a great thing to get into.

Bonaccord that is so inspiring! I think when I get back to work I am going to make a new list. This reminds me of a CBT exercise I was given where you have a range of routine, necessary and pleasurable activities in the week and to start with you rate them from easy to hard, the idea being to build up.

8Fencing sounds great - enjoy the class!

I had a really good night sleep - not sure if it's down to my room being bathed in Lavender! Hope I can replicate it!

Today's new thing was finding a Physio. I have been having shoulder issues. He's given me some exercises. Really pleased I prioritised seeing one, and it's walking distance. To be fair the doctor gave me exercises a while back but I never did them . I can suffer with lack of confidence and need someone to report back to!

I am finding discovering more things in the local area is helping - can't believe how little I know despite being here four years!

Hello again!
Not managed something new everyday but I watched some laughter yoga YouTube videos.
Ad I’ve been camping over the weekend with the family, something I hadn’t done for a long time. That was lovely to be back in nature. There was a small stream running next to the tent and the sound of the wind in the trees :)

Another new thing for me has been looking up at a new diary, one that you can tailor to your own needs.
I’m finding I need a diary to not forget all the things I need to do AND it gives me this feeling if accomplishment when I see all the stuff I have crossed and done (even if very small)
I’ve started to set it up and my plan is to finish it by the end of this week so I can order it.

I've been feeling much better today after yesterday's misery session. This morning we packed up a picnic and went to the local science centre for a rainy day out, which isn't a new thing (we have an annual pass), but they had a new show on for half term so we went to that. It was pretty fun.

I love camping egg. It sounds like a wonderful site.

How's everyone doing today?

We spent the day messing about by the river and popped into a pub I've not been to before for crisps and fizzy pop as my new thing for the day. It's been another really nice day and I'm feeling much better, if rather tired out.

Hello! I'm having a really slumpy couple of days. I'm seeing the GP tomorrow (sadly, not a new thing, lol) about HRT as I have allllllll the perimenopause symptoms and would love a new lease of life!

Having a right moody day, I've worked out if I eat whole carbs every two hours I can avoid the lowest of the low! I'm knackered and can't think so my new thing is painting my nails different complimentary colours, which has made me smile.