I've set up my life is such a way that I literally don't have time to feel glum (although I do manage to feel stress, anxiety, panic, etc). It wasn't intentional - becoming a mom pretty much decided that for me - but I decided it was actually a valid strategy after watching a good friend of mine kick heroin in a program that emphasizes overwork. Several years clean and out of the program, she's still kind of a workaholic. She doesn't say it, but I think she works so much because it helps keep her sober - she doesn't have time to feel like shit.
Other stuff that really helps me (but is hard to implement): doing a project I really feel passionate about (wait, you already do that don't you?), finding a way to earn a living that is personally meaningful (shitty jobs make me feel terrible). The other big thing that has made me feel better in my life is choosing to make a huge change, and then following through with it. Like I went back to school last year after being anti-school for my whole life. It really improved my outlook in part because it opened up what felt possible for me.
The other thing that really helps me is reading young adult novels in the bathtub.
I'm the kind of person who occasionally enjoys the old depression, but if it gets too bad I like to travel. Usually I go somewhere I rarely visit (Moss Beach, Half Moon Bay... pretty much anywhere south of Devil's Slide) but if that doesn't work I'll do whatever I can to get completely out of town. Like Nevada style. Or Hawaii. Or Alaska.
Or you could eat chocolate. Chocolate makes everything better.
i always always always head for the ocean. something about the strength of the water, the sound of the waves. it helps me get back on track. and if it doesn't, it's still nice.
eat some mushrooms, go out into nature, read a funny book, spend a whole day alone immersed in intense & inspiring art/music/books, sit in the sun in dolores park...
My strategy used to be "read non-fiction about people who survived worse shit than you." Now, nature helps best of all.Getting away. Listening to SKA and reggae because I can't feel unhappy listening to those two genres.Sometimes, listening to punk and death metal or 80's music.Reminds me of who I am, which is important in getting my groove back. Mind you, as I'm typing this, I'm reminding myself. Eating healthy food. Performing random acts of kindness. And yes, doing something for the neighborhood kids.It's starting to change my life a little, I think.
go to the beach, listen to old favorite albums, oreder food and get a movie, call your friends back...
but there's always that day when I'm recovering from being sick where I'm just sad and depressed and bored. I just try to ignore it because I know it's the remnants of inactivity from the flu.
the overbusy thing used to really work for me. sometime in the last two years though i just got burned out and now the overbusy is this funny double edged sword. if i am not busy enough i get mopey. but if i am too busy i just get tired and start procrastinating.
i think the huge change is in order. but not sure what that looks like yet.
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Date: 2007-11-01 12:15 am (UTC)or something that scares the crap out of me.
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Date: 2007-11-01 12:34 am (UTC)Other stuff that really helps me (but is hard to implement): doing a project I really feel passionate about (wait, you already do that don't you?), finding a way to earn a living that is personally meaningful (shitty jobs make me feel terrible). The other big thing that has made me feel better in my life is choosing to make a huge change, and then following through with it. Like I went back to school last year after being anti-school for my whole life. It really improved my outlook in part because it opened up what felt possible for me.
The other thing that really helps me is reading young adult novels in the bathtub.
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Date: 2007-11-01 12:46 am (UTC)Plus, cookies.
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Date: 2007-11-01 01:07 am (UTC)Or you could eat chocolate. Chocolate makes everything better.
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Date: 2007-11-01 01:41 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-11-01 01:51 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-11-01 05:03 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-11-01 02:11 pm (UTC)Now, nature helps best of all.Getting away.
Listening to SKA and reggae because I can't feel unhappy listening to those two genres.Sometimes, listening to punk and death metal or 80's music.Reminds me of who I am, which is important in getting my groove back.
Mind you, as I'm typing this, I'm reminding myself.
Eating healthy food.
Performing random acts of kindness.
And yes, doing something for the neighborhood kids.It's starting to change my life a little, I think.
no subject
Date: 2007-11-01 03:35 pm (UTC)but there's always that day when I'm recovering from being sick where I'm just sad and depressed and bored. I just try to ignore it because I know it's the remnants of inactivity from the flu.
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Date: 2007-11-01 05:05 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-11-01 05:11 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-11-01 05:13 pm (UTC)i think the huge change is in order. but not sure what that looks like yet.
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Date: 2007-11-01 05:14 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-11-01 05:14 pm (UTC)and bad news - chocolate isn't helping :(
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Date: 2007-11-01 05:14 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-11-01 05:15 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-11-01 05:15 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-11-01 05:16 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-11-01 05:17 pm (UTC)kindness. yes. totally.
reminding me of who i am. yep - needing it.
no subject
Date: 2007-11-01 05:18 pm (UTC)