Blue
My favorite color is green, but at the moment I'm totally bummed. I'm pretty sure it's my own fault (I guess sometimes we can never be absolutely certain), but there isn't much I can do about it now so today's blog is going to be oranging strategies. I hate orange, but it is the direct contrast to blue, which means it's going to symbolically represent cheering up. Orange is a strong, vibrant color. Yellow is laughter and red is power, so orange makes a good "bucking up" color; it means be strong and laugh at yourself.
The easiest thing to do to cheer myself up is read a book. It's relaxing and it takes my brain quickly away from my own mental arguments. Writing has the same effect, most of the time. As an activity, it requires that the brain function on several different levels.
The most tempting approach to self-cheering up is comfort food. I find that a big, juicy piece of fruit is always comforting. Also, if no fruit is available or affordable, a big, juicy jelly doughnut works just as well. I also turn to chocolate and lime tostitos in times of trouble.
Like Elle Woods, I also know that exercise contributes to a positive brain chemistry. Swimming's my favorite, and bike-riding comes a close second.
I find that listening to angry music very loudly can be empowering, or can overload my senses so my inner brain is free to work separately. It's a little extreme, and I only use it when I am sad because I'm in denial. Half an hour of that, and I'm ready to admit anything.
Sometimes when I'm sad I like to listen to sad songs. If they make me cry it can be an artificially induced catharsis. Sometimes, though, I just end up wallowing. Wallowing just gives me a headache.
Sleep helps. It turns the brain off for a moment and if you keep your naps short and your bedtime early, you awaken refreshed. Sometimes new ideas can come to you while you sleep.
Reading my patriarchal blessing gives a shot of perspective when I feel like my life is suddenly on a less-than-optimistic trajectory.
As a last resort, my pathetic version of getting drunk involves either a long series of movies, or a season of a very involving television show. Getting immersed like that in someone else's problems pushes my own problems away for a while. I can hold off being sad until I'm not in the mood for it anymore, or I feel better able to deal with it. Unfortunately, television never did help anyone become better able to deal with anything.
Hard work or working with my hands is a great way to build optimism. When I do something that shows immediate progress the future looks a little brighter - maybe a little more orange.
Running away into nature, looking up at the sky makes me feel very small, and my problems diminish as well. Flowers, trees, mountains, or any body of water at all will soothe and nurture.
Right now, I'm going to use a "being nice to someone else" stragety. I'm going to watch the end of an episode of Doctor Who with my little sister so she is less frightened of mechanical men, and then I'm going to see a movie with my parents. After all of that, I'm going to clean my room. Everything will be just fine.
The easiest thing to do to cheer myself up is read a book. It's relaxing and it takes my brain quickly away from my own mental arguments. Writing has the same effect, most of the time. As an activity, it requires that the brain function on several different levels.
The most tempting approach to self-cheering up is comfort food. I find that a big, juicy piece of fruit is always comforting. Also, if no fruit is available or affordable, a big, juicy jelly doughnut works just as well. I also turn to chocolate and lime tostitos in times of trouble.
Like Elle Woods, I also know that exercise contributes to a positive brain chemistry. Swimming's my favorite, and bike-riding comes a close second.
I find that listening to angry music very loudly can be empowering, or can overload my senses so my inner brain is free to work separately. It's a little extreme, and I only use it when I am sad because I'm in denial. Half an hour of that, and I'm ready to admit anything.
Sometimes when I'm sad I like to listen to sad songs. If they make me cry it can be an artificially induced catharsis. Sometimes, though, I just end up wallowing. Wallowing just gives me a headache.
Sleep helps. It turns the brain off for a moment and if you keep your naps short and your bedtime early, you awaken refreshed. Sometimes new ideas can come to you while you sleep.
Reading my patriarchal blessing gives a shot of perspective when I feel like my life is suddenly on a less-than-optimistic trajectory.
As a last resort, my pathetic version of getting drunk involves either a long series of movies, or a season of a very involving television show. Getting immersed like that in someone else's problems pushes my own problems away for a while. I can hold off being sad until I'm not in the mood for it anymore, or I feel better able to deal with it. Unfortunately, television never did help anyone become better able to deal with anything.
Hard work or working with my hands is a great way to build optimism. When I do something that shows immediate progress the future looks a little brighter - maybe a little more orange.
Running away into nature, looking up at the sky makes me feel very small, and my problems diminish as well. Flowers, trees, mountains, or any body of water at all will soothe and nurture.
Right now, I'm going to use a "being nice to someone else" stragety. I'm going to watch the end of an episode of Doctor Who with my little sister so she is less frightened of mechanical men, and then I'm going to see a movie with my parents. After all of that, I'm going to clean my room. Everything will be just fine.
I find that a deep, hot bath by firelight and a novel work wonders with the sadness.
ReplyDeleteUpdate: everything will not be just fine. No amount of baths or novels or selflessness is going to make everything just fine.
ReplyDeleteStuff this for a lark.
Then again, there are times when one just needs some chemical mood stabilizers.
ReplyDelete