5 steps to lifting my spirits when I’m low

If I’m honest I am blessed with a generally happy disposition, so most days I am in a happy place and space and feel love all around me #rosetintedglasses . I won’t say that I wake up happy… because that would be an absolute lie. I am NOT a morning person and it takes me some time to “rise and shine”. My loving hubby is so understanding of this and helps me start my engines with my much needed caffeine next to my bed… everyyyyy morning!!! I know, I’m a spoilt brat!! It works for us 🙂 Plus… he makes WAY better instant coffee than I do! 🙂 *See end of article for my fave instant coffee!

There are days, though, when I wake up feeling a little bit sad. Sometimes I know exactly why, and other days I have no real reason, but I can’t seem to shake this sad feeling. I absolutely hate feeling low. So I thought I would share some of the ways I try to shake it off

1. I wash my hair
   You guys. There is nothing that makes me more depressed than seeing my reflection in the mirror and realising that my hair wouldn’t even budge in gale-force winds 😖! And inversely, there is NOTHING that makes me feel as invincible as when my hair looks great. Ladies, our hair is our crowning glory. Wash it. Blow it out. Go on & book a blow-wave if you can’t be bothered to do it yourself..! But start your day with clean hair. It will instantly make your heart a little happier.
2. I get up – get dressed – put on something fancy
   This is generally the last thing I feel like doing when I’m sad or down… but it is probably theeeeee most important. I resist the urge to put on my slackiest slacks and comfiest bra, and I try a little harder to dress a little nicer, despite that being the last thing I feel like. What I even do sometimes is pull out the “fancy” top or dress that I have been waiting to wear to a “fancy” occasion, and I put it on! There is something secretly uplifting that comes with the idea of looking good that helps one in feeling good! “Look good feel good” is legit! Well, it certainly helps me! So what if I look overdressed to pick my kids up from school, no one knows that I wasn’t at some “fancy” event before that! 😉
3. I pump up the Jam!
   Music is huuuuuuge for me. LOUD music is everything! Sometimes I feel like something chilled in which case I listen to my all-time favourite album: Acoustic Chill, on Apple Music (sorry for non-Apple people, but you are sadly missing out 😉 )<b
   I really feel like I need a proper pick-me-up then I will play my A-List: Pop album; another Apple Music winner. Guys, there is no way you can be down in the dumps while you have THUNDER (Imagine Dragons) blasting over your speakers!<b
   I feel like I need time to reflect and soul search then I will listen to my self-compiled album of worship music. This album holds the likes of “Beautiful Surrender“: Jonathan David & Melissa Helser, “Everything & Nothing“: Chris McClarney and “You are the Avalanche“: John Mark & Sarah McMillan. There is something so satisfying and uplifting for my soul in listening to worship music. It pulls me out of my hole. It reminds me that God is SO big, and SO much bigger than my worries and my pain. That He has got me. There seriously is deep comfort in listening to praise & worship music. Plus… have your heard these people’s voices?? Guys… I can’t deal. #hearteyes
4. I spend time with those who fill me
   Okay so this was a little hard to put down in black & white because I aim to live my life with a goal in mind; to not draw too much from people, but to rather help give back wherever I can. Whether that be in words of encouragement/ life, in loving on them physically, or even as small as buying them a coffee. This is something I strive for… NOT something I am good at yet… But a goal I have.
   HOWEVER… there are times when I know that I just need to be around a certain person or people who are “my tribe”, because I know that there is no way I can be in their company and not feel revitalised and refuelled! Sometimes you just need that little bit of extra loving. And I cannot explain how I leave those people feeling. I feel loved. I feel safe. I feel like I can share anything and their advice will be solid, sound, and for the betterment of me and my family. If you do not have this person or group of people in your life then start by being this type of person for someone else. Hopefully that will bloom into more. If not, then search and connect and dig in. Relationship, when done properly and with heart, is EVERYTHING.
5. Lastly, I look for the small things 🙂
   It is amazing to me how many times I will be feeling sad or down, and I will get these things that happen out of the blue. For instance, this morning I was driving behind a bakkie full of guys on their way to work. Of the group of guys crammed into the bin there was one particularly happy, joyful guy who caught my attention by waving at me. If I had to guess I would say he was possibly Zimbabwean or Mozambican. He had the biggest, happiest & kindest smile. He then signalled to me to flash my lights. When I did this it was like I had made his day. He started dancing on the spot and his smile got even bigger! He then waved as we went in different directions. There was nothing about this encounter that made me feel uncomfortable because this guy was not being ‘funny’ or strange about this. I felt like he was genuinely just reaching out and saying, ‘hey, I like your vibe’, and we both left that encounter with a little more happiness in our hearts and day. I hope I am explaining this properly, I guess its a weird encounter to explain… but it was fun and not at all flirty – I PROMISE ! Anyway, the point of this story, is that it was this little connection that made my day a little brighter, and warmed my heart a little. It’s the same when sparking up a bit of banter with the guys at Woolies who make the most amaaaaaazing Lattes known to man!!! Like, how many days do they literally SAVE me with that good stuff they make?? The perfectly frothy milk, the perfect amount of caffeine at the perfect temperature… okay I am getting carried away dreaming of {grande Honey Nut} Lattes… The point here is, rather than just taking my coffee, saying thanks and plodding along with my day, there is a little more beat in my step when walking away after having a convo with these awesome guys! It just helps lift my spirits! CONNECTING. Smiling. Being grateful.

Guys, this is not a remedy for depression, or in any way massive life-changing advice. It is simply a few small steps that I take when I am feeling low.

How do you cope with hard days? What do you do to help lift yourself out of a slump?
Please share with me!

x

** Okay you guys, I am a coffee snob. I could not stomach instant coffee until I found this little beauty, so if you like a rich, strong coffee and are on the search for a good Nespresso alternative then try:

Nescafe Espresso<b
is on the expensive side; R99. But guys, it is worth it.