Besides your lovely comments, I also received emails from readers telling me how they had found comfort in the picture. They spoke to me of their worries, difficulties, tiredness, problems and how a beautiful ray of golden sunshine had brightened their day.
It got me thinking about how we cope with feeling blue. Don't tell me it never happens to you! Everyone has moments with a little less energy, less lust for life. I know that my difficult time of the year is the end of winter, almost certainly due to a lack of sunshine.
Here are things I do to buck myself up, I'd love to hear yours too!
- focus on beauty around me, in my everyday surroundings.
- make an effort to dress with care: make up, nice shoes,
favourite clothes even if I'm just going to the supermarket!
- take time to listen to someone else, give them a helping hand
- get outside, come rain or shine. Walk, ride, cycle, whatever ... just
to get a maximum dose of daylight and natural surroundings
So tell me, what affects you the most, what gives you your ups and downs? and how do you react?
If you are a mother, wife, a supporter, do you fight off feeling low? do you think it's your role to keep everyone else going strong? Or do you think it's OK to let go and lean on those around you?
If you are a mother, wife, a supporter, do you fight off feeling low? do you think it's your role to keep everyone else going strong? Or do you think it's OK to let go and lean on those around you?
I'd love to know how you all cope.
Thank you for reading my blog, thank you for sharing with me.
Take care.
Posts
Woman, wife, mother, daughter, friend, and business owner. Each aspect of my life has great meaning to me. My approach... do all things with joy, even those things that I do not particularly like. Since we have more influence on those around us than we think, a positive nature can be contagious. Yes, I do feel blue from time to time but that is usually because I have spread myself too thin and have not taken care of the most important person in my life... me. To recharge... work in the garden, take a long walk, cook a fun meal, watch an old musical. Sharon, thanks for yet another great post.
ReplyDeleteI live with a Black Dog. Most of the time he's under control but once in a while he breaks free and runs riot.
ReplyDeleteWhen that happens I take him for a good long walk and often lose him along the way, or I engage my mind in the study of something new and he gets bored and wanders off, or I light scented candles and sit and meditate, he can't stand the smell of lavender.
Post-Christmas blues get me... The days are dark and cold, the holidays are over and everyone seems to hunker down in their forts until the next payday. I cheer myself up during this time with listening to good music and baking naughty treats :)
ReplyDeleteHi Sharon, I once asked a wise older woman to speak and asked what her secret to happiness was
ReplyDelete(she was widowed at an early age with 7 children under 10 yrs and little money). She also had difficulty walking.
Her response, EXERCISE, EXERCISE AND MORE EXERCISE
She also remarked that when one walks into a room, it is not the lines or their face or the limp in their step , it is the SMILE ON THEIR FACE.
I have also heard from a wise man who lost both legs and an eye in the 2nd world war.. that when one feels sorry for themselves to visit "the burn unit" of a hospital.
Great post Sharon
Have a Happy and Peaceful Sunday
Helen Tilston
Life has been difficult for the last two years. I have learned, though painful, that I need not worry about the little things. There are plenty of big ones that need attention. Your photo elicited a sense of hope for me. I have a strong faith and tend to use little "whisper" prayers to center my emotions. These are simple, one sentence mantras. A few moments enjoying nature, with dogs, and a camera, helps to refocus my world.
ReplyDeleteSharon,
ReplyDeleteSometimes I feel the blues of "what might have been". It's a silly use of time and I certainly have a great deal to be grateful for in life.
Going for a walk, curling up with a good read, getting tangled up in a knitting project all help me refocus.
-Karen
When I am blue I retreat. I tend to have a few more conversations with myself, cocoon into my own self. I find doing little things for ME helps me find my strength again. It is amazing how giving ourselves the gift of selfish time to do something WE WANT TO DO {not have to do} helps restore pride and internal energy.
ReplyDeleteAs woman we naturally take care of those around us. Sadly we have to remind ourselves that it is OK to give to our self...... and that is why I blog. I'm receiving {like your incredible images and words posted} and sharing with my blog friends.
I love your blog and your pictures are beautiful. I got to visit France a few years ago and then my husband had a motorcycle wreck and is now in a wheelchair. I cope by thanking the Lord everyday that I get to have one more day with my husband of 31 years. It is a hard struggle but one I am so thankful for.
ReplyDeleteYoga is an enormous help for me during low times--just to focus on that one thing and nothing else. And it is true when one is feeling really low that it can be hard to excercise, but a brisk walk along the Rhone always, always makes me feel better--even if I only go for ten minutes.
ReplyDeleteAs the fellow owner of a Golden, you know that there is no quicker cheerer-upper. My Ben makes me laugh out loud every single day--often more than once. I swear that he senses when I am having a bad day and will go out of his way to make me smile.
I listen to music non-stop and do something creative. Cook. And take the time to make a mental list of all that I am grateful for.
I am not a Mom but work as well as live with my honey. I have always been independent, so it took me years to let him know when I needed to lean on him--and he has never let me down.
Thanks for bringing this up, Sharon. There is so much pressure in contemporary society for us to be "superwomen"--it is important to admit that we all have down times now and again--and that is ok! :)
Aha! Today's happiness is finally figuring out how to leave a comment on your beautiful blog!
ReplyDeleteIf I am unhappy I sing a happy song to myself - something like " 3 Wheels on my Wagon" always cheers me up.
Terri
Your picture is so beautiful. Such a blessing to see such beauty the Lord has provided. I try to remember to lean on Him and be thankful for all things. Hard to do sometimes, but always calms and comforts. Hugs, Marty
ReplyDeleteI think about these things lot. Beautiful pictures by the way, and the sheer beauty of each season is in itself a thing to be thankful for. The appreciation of beauty is a gift. Some people do not see it.
ReplyDeleteI always try to list what I love in my life, no matter how short that list might be on a given day. And always I think of those who might have it worse, whether I know them or not. I know that one's life can change in five minutes, literally. It can change for the better as well as for the worse.
I too find the end of winter a bit of a challenge. There comes a day in February when I start to wonder if the trees will always be bare. Both literally, and metaphorically. Fortunately, Edward gets me outside and I seem to always find restoration in nature. Perhaps it's the fresh air, perhaps it's merely the exercise, but I always return from a long walk in the words with red cheeks and a lighter heart. Of course, this time of year, with it's boundless beauty and crisp weather finds me brimming with good will and anticipation. Edward, too!
ReplyDeleteLife has challenges and ups and downs no matter who we are or what we do. I think it is important to know when to stop and take time to listen and nurture ones personal needs,
ReplyDeleteWalking in the fresh air, soaking in the tub, sipping a cup of tea, calling a friend, going to bed early and browsing through some magazines or books and savoring a square of great chocolate, and writing in a gratitude journal restores what ails me.
Looking at your images one does feel at peace surrounded by the beauty that nature offers up yo us every day if we just take the time to stop and look.
Thank you for sharing these lovely photos.
Yes, what a wonderful post today Sharon. Music. Music is my source of comfort, joy and entertainment. It's had to be depressed when you're dancing. I've had more than my share of struggles, but I now know they are not fatal or permanent. Depression is normal for any human...but the sun shines through for all of us. Helping others is also a big way of coping. None of know how really horrible it can really be until we see someone else who is REALLY suffering. Sending love....
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely post! And gorgeous photos, too. There are a couple things I do when I'm feeling out of sorts -- first, I try to figure out why so that, if possible, I can make a change or address whatever it is. Then I like to do things for others. Bake some cookies. Paint a picture. Cook a favorite meal. Thank usually does the trick!
ReplyDeleteThanks for such a lovely post.
I am feeling very blue today. I decided to get my camera and capture the colors of Fall right in my own yard. I then came in and looked at the updated posts on my site and found your post. It is good to know that others, too, have their down days and it is ok. I love your site and look forward to all your wisdom.
ReplyDeleteSharon, This is such a beautiful post. I've enjoyed the comments as well. Each has been an encouragement to me...that's what I try to do as much as I can ...be an encouragement to others. we all desperately need each other. Have a wonderful week. Mona
ReplyDeleteLong go I decided I did not like the term 'superwoman' - it puts too much pressure on people and often provides an unrealistic point of comparison.
ReplyDeleteWe all are fabulous, super, wonderful woman - whatever we do! Just remember ..
THERE ARE NO PROBLEMS ....ONLY CHALLENGES THAT NEED SOLUTIONS!!
When you remind yourself of this, you will be amazed how much easier life becomes !
I've learnt from an older woman with (at that stage not yet repairable hip problems): to hop onto a bus, drive to and fro end station to other end station and get in touch (conversation) with as many people to be met there. By the end one is most times very likely willing to take home the own problem(s) instead of swapping with those of others!
ReplyDeleteIn case I can't do something like above I tend to at least warn my surrounding to 'not worry since my current mood has nothing at all to do with them YET I simply don't like myself at this very moment'.
Helpful for both sides - even strangers tend to appreciate this. It doesn't stop/hinder communication yet expectation is set to a different/better starting point: low; 'more' is then best bonus!
Gardening and 'me-time-only' things tend to help as well.
Yet in general I've to admit to have hit the pot of luck: only minor health problems of my own; money problems 'reasonably under control'; health troubles of my husband overcome to even better stage than 'I would have even loved him to stay along my side even if for logistic reasons only - at least alive'
Everything else turns 'ignorable' after some initial 'heat' in it.
I tend to count my blessings EVERY day, 'talking silently' to some imaginary power presumedly hovering over me (and probably all others as well) WHATEVER the name!
Yet strong believer in my fathers sentence of "help yourself, since if the good Lord would have to help every lazy bugger not willing to get its own fingers dirty first we'd soon outwear even this poor chap!" ;-)
Lots of love and greetings,
Gerlinde
Ciao, il tuo blog è fantastico!! Complimenti per la tua bellissima casa e per le foto stupende ^______^
ReplyDeleteGiovanna
Sometimes blogs can be too "I have a perfect life" Your post was very touching and it was reassuring to see that I am not the only one who occasionally gets into a funk. thank you for your honesty.
ReplyDeleteI had written of the same thing a couple of days ago. When this "mood" falls upon me, I always make myself go for a walk, camera in hand "focused on beauty" and my mood is always somewhat lifted.
I also make sure I eat well balanced and fresh food (even better than usual) as well as get plenty of sleep (maybe an extra hour a night). I am grateful that I have learned to recognize a "mood" and know how to softly "caress" my way out of it.
I have been through a debilitating depression and have vowed that I will never go there again. I could never manage the strength needed to crawl out of it a second time...EVER.
I have taken a bit more time to think about what to do when I am feeling blue. I am much better at being a comforter, helping others, and giving care and solice than letting anyone know that I am down or unhappy. I am generally a very optomistic person and rarely unhappy. I tend to keep unhappy feelings to myself - not always a good thing. I need to let my friends help, they would like to and I should be more open.
ReplyDeleteSo now when I am unhappy I think
of all my wonderful caring friends and will call someone up for a chat and a giggle. I will read which always takes me into another world and as I said before I will sing a happy song to myself. Monty Python's "Always Look on the Bright Side of Life" is great for cheering you up even if like me you can't whistle. Trying to whistle will cheer you up too.
Terri
What a lovely post.
ReplyDeleteSo nice that people are sharing their thoughts. After reading through all the different ways people find comfort I can certainly say I look for very similar things to pick me up out of a blue mood.
I have spent a lot of time, like a lot of you, supporting those around me and I do feel I need to stay strong, so I keep most of my thoughts to my self if i'm feeling low. I then remind myself how grateful I am that we are all okay. I usually look for a distraction, I am a very visual person so walking and taking in my beautiful surroundings often helps, I take some photos as I go and reflect on them when I come home, they often lead to other creative thoughts and this is how I came across your beautiful blog.
With all the troubles going on in the world its refreshing to escape to find some gentleness, fresh thoughts and lovely images.
Thank you for your post, Fiona
This is a beautiful post you have done and it is obvious by the comments, that is has truly touched many people. I have to admit, several of the commments brought me to tears. Thank you for keeping the blogging world real.
ReplyDeleteRegards
Sharyn
Lovely post, Sharon. I agree that just a step outside, some simple little caretaking in the yard or for someone else, turns my mood around completely. XO trish
ReplyDelete