~ Five ways to turn a day around ~

1. Create a Feel-Good Folder

I have a folder in my inbox that I've labelled 'feel-good'. Inside i store all the lovely emails I've ever received - love notes from friends, Etsy customers, blog comments and more recently, emails from Unravellers. When I'm having a bad day, i dip into the folder; it's like a team of cheerleaders doing a dance just for me. When i feel disheartened or down, i let the kind words of friends and strangers pick me up and dust me off... ready to begin again.

2. Treat yourself

'One of the secrets of a happy life is continuous small treats.' ~ Iris Murdoch

I firmly believe this too. Small treats of choice: a double-shot cappucino, a small square of perfectly dark chocolate, a slice of hot buttered toast, a bunch of flowers, a few new songs from iTunes. A new notebook. A trip round the aisles of Amazon.

3. Look for eye candy

Flowers and pretty rooms are all very well, but there are days when you need real eye candy... ladies, i think you know what i'm talking about:

[David Boreanaz, George Lamb, Steven Brand, Hugh Jackman]

It's silly and frivolous, harking back to your teenage years, and that's why it's so very good for you - indulging in a bit of online eye candy, or a DVD rendezvous with the man/girl candy of your choice. My mate Emma and I have been indulging in a lot of man candy recently, and boy, are we feeling perky...

4. Pick up a book

I've talked about my book friends many times before, and here we go again: books save me, every time. They teach me, they comfort me, they entertain me, they take me to another world. They inspire me so much, which is why i intend to publish my own and send it out to befriend whoever needs it. I have piles sitting on my coffee table and beside my bed, ready to hold my hand when i need them.

5. Go for a walk outside

This is the one i am always most resistent to. Pulling on boots, finding a coat... where are the keys... oh, who can be bothered? I'm going to stay at home and mope. But when I do make the effort to go out, even if it's just a ten minute walk to the supermarket for fresh salad and aforementioned dark chocolate, it shifts my perspective. It gets blood pumping around my body (i live up a steep hill) and distracts me. I breathe more; i step out of my bubble. 

* * * * *

It's been one of those days. I am fighting a cold - and losing - and have felt negative and out of sorts; too much to do and not enough energy. A bit flat. These five things are what i have done today to try to try to turn it around. It worked.

Comments

[becky aka theRAV]

I am going to take you up on this advise. I keep a box for all the scraps I cut out which is like a treasure box to me. I love going through all the many colors and designs. Cutting out things help relax me. I am all for eye candy. My latest eye candy would be Robert Pattinson who plays the character Edward Cullen in the "Twilight" series. There is even a guy in my office supply book that has that 5:00 shadow, tousled hair you want to run your fingers through, an undone tie and lips you want to kiss to break his concentration on the computer! I'll have to take a photo of it & post it on my blog. LOL Wow! That made me feel better and I wasn't feel bad! LOL Hope you feel better soon. I have been enjoying catching up on your blog lately but haven't had time to comment on each post. Congrats on the success of your online class. Loving your photographs.

[Shanon]

Your feel good folder is a fantastic idea. =)

[furiousBall]

you know what works for me?

one of two things, doing something outside my comfort zone (in a safe way)

or doing something nice and spontaneous for a friend out of the blue

[Tina of Pfeiffer Photos]

Instantly went eyes-to-Mr. Jackman. Didn't even realize it was him. Hello!

[Carol]

I hope that you're feeling better soon Susannah.... Now as for the eye candy, I would have totally agreed if you'd added Anthony Keidis from the Red Hot Chilli Peppers, or Keanu Reeves on the list too. Although David Boreanaz has always been a hottie, especially when he was the brooding vampire with a soul ;-)

Geeesh, now I'm rambling!!

[beth]

this was fantastic !!
I feel better already...and most of it was due to the eye candy !!

[Jo]

David Boreanaz? Now I KNOW why I love you.
Feel better. You are much loved.

[charlane]

ahhhh, yes - many of these I did today or will have done. David Boreanaz is so yummy.

[Marianne]

Smart list. I'm the type who is more likely to start at the bottom of your list (with the walk) and work my way back upwards. But I don't have a feel good folder and I am going to make one. Great idea!

So glad you your top tips helped you today. xx

[beth lamphier]

wow...I thought I was the only one to do this stuff, I am so glad you blogged about it...

[Silvia]

best advise i could have gotten in this moment. I'm sooo gonna create a feel-good folder asap. Oh and about the eye candy; where on earth do you always find these stunning yummy pictures?

Now, please excuse me while i go and stare at George Lamb.

[stacy]

this was the perfect thing for me to read today, off to create a feel good folder now... smooch

[helen]

Dear Susannah, I recently found your blog and have been reading it greedily, your beautiful pictures and eloquent words. Thank you for putting so much of yourself out here for us.

I find dancing about and singing to be good alternatives to going for a walk outside when the weather is bleargh, mind you I have to keep the singing bit for when my boyfriend is out since he seems unable to distinguish between my melodious offerings and someone shrieking in pain and comes rushing in to save me.

Hope you are feeling good now. And get your book published soon! I bet it's brilliant.

xxx

[Kristin]

Great advice. I'm definately going to have to save this list and try it.

And i must say, the eye candy you have is excellent! Can i just stare at them all day instead of working? Hehe....

[maggie]

This is the most original 'things to do to feel good' list i've ever seen. Wonderful idea for the folder.

[chocolate covered musings]

hope you feel better soon

[Chris]

Here are some good vibes to chase away that cold!

BTW, I love the man candy ;-)

[Paris Parfait]

All are excellent ways to change the record, Sus. Glad you're feeling a bit better! xo

[megg]

Giggle - you seem to have hit a nerve with the men!

Thank you for the reminders - I needed them!

[Caffienated Cowgirl]

Love the idea of a feel-good folder...I need to try that.

And a good book...yes, they save every time. I can't tell you how thankful I am for my mother instilling a lifelong love of the written word within me.

Hope the coming days improve :)

[Lee]

Brilliant list, Susannah! I'm with Helen, if it's too icky out to leave the house, crank the tunes and dance. And if you're sure no one can hear you (!) sing, too!

[Megan]

I hopeyou feel better soon!

I love these ideas! Feel Good folder AND Man Candy??? Sounds good to me

[Vanya]

How wonderful Susannah, thank you for sharing. I hope you turn the corner on your cold soon.

[rebecca]

i love this susannah, it speaks to so much love for yourself.

[Anu]

I do all these things too when I'm having a mopey day too. It was good to read this though!

[Anya]

Susannah! Thank you for sharing! N 1 advice seems to be the best for me!

[susanna]

Great ideas here, Susannah. I agree with every one of them. Now I'm going to sit here for a while and sigh over Hugh Jackman's biceps. Siiiigh...