Helloooo Sunshiners!
When things get tough, there’s really only a few things that can ease your mind. Its hard to see past the impermeable damage our lives seem to inflict every so often. Its not all the time but it does happen. For me, there are times when I don’t want to talk it out. I don’t want advice. I just need something to distract me. I thought, maybe there might be a few of you in need of some distraction. Here are my favorite things to do when things aren’t going my way, in no particular order:
- Bake something that’s not that difficult to make. When a recipe is confusing and it seems like a nightmare, it probably is. Keep it simple, make a boxed cake or use a prepackaged cookie mix & trust me when I say there is always room for dessert.
- Clean out your closet, yes, all of it. This is one of my personal favorites. I’m talking about getting rid of the pants that don’t fit and the dress that’s not coming back in style anytime soon. I will never understand the purging of clothes and why it feels so good to see empty hangers. It feels like there’s more room for new clothes and it somehow translates to room for new changes.
- Read a cheesy love story. Recently, I read a very good love story and it reminded me that its okay to be a little corny sometimes.
- Go to Marshall’s/TJ Maxx. Just trust me on this one. For some reason, feeling like you’re getting a good deal on a candle or a coffee mug that you most definitely do not need is rejuvenating in my opinion. Also, retail therapy has proved the most effective in my book.
- Give yourself a project. Whether its tackling that pile of clothes in your room, clearing out that old cabinet or just clearing out your car- make it happen. Out with the old & in with the new right?
- Write it down. Probably the most real option is to let it out through sorting out your emotions on paper. I can tell you from experience that sometimes, things are easier written than said.
- Visit your local nursery. Being around plants is always a plus in my book. Leaving with one or two helps just a tad more but hey, that’s just me.
- Create new playlists. Music is the best medicine. What better way to squash your blues than to just listen to them?
- Make a goals list. Keep them simple. “Put yourself first.” “Be more understanding.” Or even simpler, “pay bills on time,” or, “work out at least 4 times this week.”
- Go on a hike. For some reason, finishing a hike with a killer view or even just a trail that’s a little difficult is an insane mood booster.
- Plan a fake vacation. This is a strange thing that I must admit I do often. There have been two times where those fake vacations turned into real ones and both times were amazing, you never know!
- Try yoga. There are pretty amazing yoga videos on youtube that I follow regularly. Sometimes, I’ll put one on before bed or just sit outside in the morning after my coffee and it’s such a good way to clear my head.
- Have a spa night. I’m talking, full shower, leave in conditioner, mask, under eye patches, pore strips, teeth whitener, self tanning. Not to say that you should feel beautiful in your own skin blah, blah, blah, BUT these things are just necessary sometimes.
- Create a new Pinterest board. Just being on Pinterest in general is soothing for me. It’s a good way to see cute pictures, new ideas or maybe just something that inspires you. It’s been the app that I currently favor when I need a little distraction.
- Take some photos. It doesn’t have to be any crazy selfies or insane backgrounds- but sometimes taking random cool photos is a good feeling. Get them developed, frame them, replace your background on your phone; you don’t always have to post them for the world to see.
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And for my personal favorite: open a cheap bottle of wine, light a candle, put a stupid Netflix movie on and put something sweet in the oven.
These may not be the most glamorous or maybe none of this would help you, personally. But, the point is that its okay to be distracted by something that you enjoy. If life is hitting you on your ass and you find something that brings you some happiness- use it. Use it until you can’t anymore. Emotions are hard and facing your problems might be even harder. While it’s not always healthy to ignore our problems, it is okay to be a little distracted sometimes.
XOXO,
Filled with Two Buck Chuck & Chocolate Chip Cookies.
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