Monday, March 23, 2015

10 Things I Do When I'm Having a Bad Day (or Week!)

by Terri


You know those days when you’ve got the blahs?  They happen to all of us and since my post about Finding Myself Again, I’ve found that it helps to have a whole arsenal of things to turn to when the need arises, so here are some ideas if you are ever looking for a little something to brighten up your day.

1. Do some Spring cleaning. I can hear you groaning and thinking, "Is she crazy? That's the last thing that would cheer me up!" But think of  it as starting with a clean slate. And you can take out a lot of aggression while you’re doing it. Once it is done and you look at the results, believe me, you will be happy you did it. 

2. Bake some cookies.  I didn’t say these were lo-cal ideas! But really, just the smell alone will cheer you up.  Make one of the cookies you loved as a child or check out Pinterest for some new ideas. Then hope that the rest of the family eats them before you have a chance to indulge too much.

3. Read a good book.  Find a book and get lost in it. It will take you outside of yourself and you can dwell on somebody else’s problems! The most recent book I read that did this for me was The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins. I absolutely couldn’t put it down! 

4. Have a cup of tea.  While you’re reading that book, unwind and relax with a cup of your favorite tea.  If you’re not a tea fan, coffee or a smoothie will work too. 

5. Take a long, hot shower or a bath.  Use some of your favorite bath products and enjoy the scent. Relax and clear your mind. Maybe even combine this with #6 below.

6. Meditate.  If you missed Leigh’s post about meditation, go immediately and read it.  Then do it. You won’t be sorry.

7. Take a walk or just spend some time outside.  There is nothing like being out in nature that is guaranteed to lift your spirits.

8. Do something nice for somebody else. There's nothing that will get you out of your own head faster than doing something nice for someone.  Compliment a friend, send a note to someone, tell your friends and family how much you love them. When you're thinking about other people, you make it harder to focus so much on yourself.

9. Write.  Write it all down on paper, get it all out and then crumple it up and throw it away. Symbolic I know, but it really works. Or make a list of what you need to do or buy. Make a list of people you want to write to or even start on your Christmas list (there are only 275 shopping days left, you know!)

10. Do something that makes you happy. Go shopping and buy a new outfit or maybe just some new make-up or your favorite coffee drink. Meet a girlfriend for lunch. Or, my personal favorite, and I’m sure it is for many of you, grab your camera and spend an hour together. It works every time! As you can see from the blooming cactus photos above, all taken this week, I have been following my own advice. :-)

I think it’s good to have a list of “go to” ideas to turn to when you’re just not feeling up to par, a little low or even downright blue. If you’ve tried any of these things in the past, let me know how they worked for you.  If you have something you’d like to add to my list, I would love to hear it!  Now I’m going to go brew a cup of tea, grab a couple of freshly-baked cookies, hop in a hot bubble bath with a good book and do some meditation.  Yeah, it’s been that kind of week!






15 comments:

CarolHart said...

I'm sorry You had a tough week, but this is a good go to list. Hopefully they helped, and hey, it's a brand new week so hopefully it will be a better one for you.

Dotti said...

A great list! One thing I would add is to read the post of the day on FOL. {{ wink, wink }} And, yes, time for photography is always so important. Just yesterday, I found {made?} time for shooting and editing and it did wonders for my heart and soul. So ... here's to a better week for all of us.

Unknown said...

Good ideas, Terri.
I find going for a walk outside is very mood lifting. There is so much to see and appreciate while taking in God's beauty. I like to pray and thank God for my blessings while I walk.

Coffee and blog reading, that's talking my language! I love a good book too.

There is something healing in doing nice deeds for another. Sending a hand written card tops my list.

I hope you find your smile!

Kim Stevens said...

Great list and I can add....sit on the porch, go for a walk, pull weeds from your garden, call a friend, get up early and watch the sunrise. I'm going to have to take some of this advice as my week (or should I say my boy's week) hasn't started out all that great. Love the cactus blooms!!

Make It Snappy3! said...

Perfect ideas!!!

AFishGirl said...

I'm all for these kinds of lists. Yours is great!

kelly said...

I always get so excited when I start seeing your gorgeous cactus blooms! Their vibrant color just makes me so happy. This is such a great list Terri...whenever I need a mood boost, I love grabbing my camera and just taking a walk around the block in my neighborhood.

gina said...

Excellent suggestions! I find a soak in the tub very relaxing. Taking a walk always improves my mood. Your flower montage is gorgeous!

heyjudephotography said...

I so agree with everything on your list -and I really love the 'do something nice for somebody else.' That truly has a magical way of making one feel better! ( love those cactus blossoms!)

heyjudephotography said...

I so agree with everything on your list -and I really love the 'do something nice for somebody else.' That truly has a magical way of making one feel better! ( love those cactus blossoms!)

Jeanne said...

All great things to do on a down day!

Beverly said...

This is a really great post, and list, plus the few extras added here in comments. Thank you for sharing. LOVE your beautiful desert flowers!!

Linda said...

Great list! I really need to remember that, so many good things to do that will get my mind off whatever funk it's stuck in. Especially going outside! Because it seems to make me grouchy if I have to stay inside to long!

Anonymous said...

I can so relate to how you feel. Living in a new town without my husband or family feels awkward! Thanks for sharing a great post and beautiful photos! Wishing you a Blessed week!

Unknown said...

Lots of wonderful Ideas. Long walks always work for me. Or a Long hot shower..

Hugs~

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