6 Ways to Cheer Yourself Up
Thank you so much to everyone who left such supportive comments on my post yesterday. I know it was kind of a downer, but thank you for letting me get all of that off my chest. My goal is to always be honest and real here; to know that life can be messy and hard sometimes and say that it’s okay to be disappointed or sadden by that. However, I really needed a pick-me-up after these last couple of days to help get my mind back in a happier and more positive space, so yesterday, I ran through my get-happy-fast checklist and was able to end my day in high spirits and feeling better about life than I have in a couple of weeks. If you are struggling with something in life, first know that you are not alone. Second, know that you still deserve a vibrant life! And Third, follow these six sure-fire ways to cheer yourself up!
- Paint Your Nails. There is something so relaxing about taking the time to paint my nails a new color. I block out 40 minutes to just let a show on Netflix play in the background and paint my nails and just to chill.
2. Buy yourself a new lipstick/makeup product. Yesterday I took myself to Sephora and bought myself a rather expensive Too Faced Melted Lipstick in Melted Fig. I never pay a ton of money for lipstick, especially after finding Colour Pop lippie stix, but I had been drooling over the color and formula for months so I decided yesterday that it would be the perfect pick-me-up. Will I go back and buy more? Probably not. But I’m glad I splurged a little on myself; I may not have money for all the expensive lipsticks but I had money today to treat myself to something a little extra special, because hey, I’m worth it.
3. Change up your hair. When I’m having a hard time with situations I can’t control, I tend to change my hair because that is something I can control. After a heck of a summer with no control over my living situation, I went blonde. And, with the recent news about some continued health complications, I went to the hairdresser yesterday and chopped off 4 inches and added in layers upon layers. It’s amazing what a new hairstyle can do to brighten my day. I walked out of the salon with my spirits lifted and feeling more confident and in control than I have in a couple of weeks and feeling like the world was my oyster. What’s that saying? A woman who cuts her hair is about to change her life? I’m ready to change my life for the better.
4. Return to a favorite book or movie. Sometimes I just need to escape to a different world for a little while and take a break from whatever is going on in my heart or head. On rough days, you can be sure you will find me immersed in Harry Potter or wandering through Middle Earth. Something about watching my favorite characters overcome impossible odds lifts my spirits, inspires me and motivates me to tackle what I’m facing head on.
FURTHER READING: The Ultimate Guide to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter: Hogsmeade
5. Spend time with a furry friend. I don’t know if many know this, but Rosie is a certified service dog for me. We’ve tasked trained her to do specific “tricks” to help with my mobility problems (for example, she can brace against all of my weight and help me get up and down from the ground). She also has helped a ton with my anxiety lately. Taking care of another living being helps me focus on something else besides my own feelings and because Rosie is so full of joy, it’s easy to have my spirits lifted by playing tug, taking her for a walk or just snuggling and watching tv.
FURTHER READING: How a Dog Changed my Life
6. Think about the bigger picture. This was something my mom used to say to me during treatment when things got rough. “Think of the bigger picture, Belle.” Even though these last couple weeks have been hard and I know I have a bit of a journey ahead of me to get through some pretty heavy emotions, the bigger picture is that by tackling my problems now, I will no longer be weighed down by them in the future. I want a future so bright and bold, I want to live a life that shows cancer that it messed with the wrong person. I want to grieve and then I want to live louder and fuller. That is the bigger picture and something I hold on to when I have rough days or when I feel like my heart is about to pound out of my chest when I’m struggling with anxiety. Think about the bigger picture.
FURTHER READING: On Being 10 Years Cancer Free
So, after taking some time yesterday to spoil myself, change up my look a little, play tug with my best girl and escape to Hogwarts, I’m definitely feeling like I’m back in a better head space. While I still have things to work through and a ways to go, I am feeling hopeful for the first time in a while that everything will work out.
What do you do to cheer yourself up?
