Happy Thursday, Friends! It is a much happier day today than it has been the past few days. I’ve been feeling down this week. A few things haven’t gone my way and I HATE changing my plans. It sends me into a downward spiral and takes me a few days to pull myself (or ask for help) out of it. I’ve been feeling a bit homesick and basically having an emotional, hormonal pity party. I would love to say that I’m a happy, peppy person 24/7, 365, but I’m not (as I’m sure my family would love to attest to). There are days, weeks, and even seasons where I find myself in the lows more than the highs.
I know I’m not alone in this feeling and that there are many women (and men) who have trouble seeing the light at the end of the tunnel somedays. Realizing that it’s ok to feel down is the first real step in feeling better. I have to tell myself that it’s ok that I’m not super happy all the time as long as I’m not wallowing in self-pity and bringing down everyone else as I spiral into the depths of despair.
So what do I do to pull myself out of the funk? I’ll tell you! Just keep on reading! HINT: One of the first things I do is put on a cute outfit (like this adorable top from Zaful) and go somewhere!
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Photos by Kylie Stinson
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PRAYER
God doesn’t promise us that everyday will be peachy, but he does promise us that He will be with us through those down times. And as long as we keep our eyes on him, and continually strive to be better and do better I believe that he has the power to pull us out of any hole we find ourselves in.
I’ve noticed in my personal life that a lot of the times the I feel self pity and general sadness are times when I’m relying on myself and those around me to make me happy. If there is one thing I know to be true about life, it’s that if you put your faith solely in people (or in yourself) you WILL be let down. I’m so guilty of that. I strive to put my faith and trust in Jesus and allow my happiness to come from his love for me and his wonderful plans and desires for my life. So if you’re feeling down, I urge you to get on your knees, realign your life, and ask God to show you what positive and wonderful things he has in store for you.
TREAT YO’ SELF
Tom and Donna from Parks & Rec had it so right (and so wrong)! Sometimes a bad days can be made better with a little self pampering. I’m not talking about dropping $$$$ on that Gucci Bag or buying a new car. I’m just saying that maybe allowing yourself to have something that you don’t let yourself have everyday, might make you smile just a little. Grab an ice cream cone, watch an hour of your favorite TV show (Parks & Rec is a LAUGH), browse your favorite store and maybe grab a little something for yourself. If its a manicure you love, then go for it. The point is not to pretend that material things can create happiness, but to remind yourself that good things (Hello, brownies, my old friends) are all around you and even a little smile can make you feel like a million bucks.
GET DRESSED & GO SOMEWHERE
Nothing makes me feel better than looking better. I often find myself sitting on my sofa in sweats with no make up on and ratty unwashed hair crying about how things are not going my way. Not only am I acting like a slob, but I look like one too. Working from home can make this even worse. Sometimes I don’t leave myself house AT ALL for days at a time. Even if you work outside of the house, we can get so stuck in our typical schedules that we feel so stuck.
So jump our of your routine and do something different. Get dressed and go grab dinner with a friend, put on some makeup and strut your way through the grocery store! One of our favorite things to do is hit the dog park. Nothing makes you smile like a bunch of puppies playing with each other! When you look better, you feel better, so take care of yourself and show yourself off!
HAPPY ENDORPHINS
Get those endorphins moving. Exercise is a GREAT way to release those happy hormones into your body. What are some other things that release chemical happiness? Puppies, Babies, Chocolate, Cuddling, Laughing, and (lets get crazy) if your married, Sex! Talk about some instant mood lifters. A chocolate a day keeps the cranky away!! There are tons of other things you can do. If it gives you a warm feeling in your gut, then it’s probably warming your heart as well!
These ideas aren’t fix-all solutions your problems but maybe they’ll make you smile a little. God has better things in store, I promise. If you’re suffering from severe depression, make sure you’re seeing a doctor, because that stuff is NO JOKE. No matter what level of the dumps your in, sometimes trying to feel better will automatically make you feel better. So eat some chocolate, get a manicure, put on our best dress and show that pity party who’s BOSS!
What are some of your favorite feel better tactics?
