So, once upon a time in 2013, (which is a SUPER LONG time ago, what) I wrote a post in March about how to banish the winter blues and bring a little summer into your life. And then in 2015 I did it again (don't ask about 2014. I don't know what happened there), and today it is snowing outside and I am lacking a little bit in creative blog post ideas, and I thought AHA! Here we go.
If you'd like 12 more ways to perk up your mood (six in each post!) check out my posts from March 2013 and February 2015! (you can laugh at my earnest 2013 blogger self if you like. I usually do.)
1. make plans!
Lately, I can't seem to make it more than two hours without human interaction. (#extrovertlife) I work all day, crash at home for like 90 minutes, and then run back out to Starbucks with friends, or youth group, or just go curl up on someone else's couch instead of my own. Having plans to look forward to makes my whole day seem more interesting, and even on days when I have the whole evening at home, I'm usually looking ahead to my plans for tomorrow. Or the weekend. Or both!
2. take your writing projects for a car ride
if you read my NaNo aftermath post last month, you'll know that I've struggled to keep working on my book after the November craziness died down. But I have good news! I brought my computer to work last week and wrote furiously on my breaks, and I got SO MUCH DONE. The change of scenery (and less distractions than at home. Like the fridge) made it so much easier to buckle down and accomplish lots!
3. find a nice long series to read and lose yourself for a week
On Friday night, a friend lent me the entire Percy Jackson series and I wolfed all five books down as fast as I could! I haven't lost myself inside a fictional universe in a while, and it felt so good!
4. buy a new bathing suit (or two) (if you're a lifeguard)
Because I'm at the pool every day, I go through bathing suits in about eight months (imagine my wallet sobbing in the corner). Last weekend, I went to the store and picked up two new suits for work - they're so brightly coloured and glorious that I'm almost excited to get in the water and teach grade 3 lessons! (almost. let's not get carried away.)
5. knit something
I mentioned a little while ago that I've been knitting a purple infinity scarf (yeah, still working on it.) I originally started because I need something to do with my hands when I watch TV, but it's nice to have a project on the go anytime, as well! Sometimes I sit on the couch and knit and pretend to be Anne of Green Gables.
6. write letters
THIS IS SO FUN. I bought some cute little cards at a bookstore a few weeks ago and although I have only written one note so far, I have been gazing at them ever since, planning who I will write to next! (I think that will be today's project, actually...!!)
And that's that! How do you stay motivated and excited about life when the winter months begin to drag on? Also, what's your MBTI personality type? I want to know!
xx,
Olivia
I'm an ENFP, though I sometimes feel a bit more like an INFP. These are all great suggestions, especially getting outside and reading good books. Also, knitting. It's fun to actually make something with your hands, especially if you mostly write/do homework on the computer, like I do.
ReplyDeleteOne of my best friends is an ENFP! We're a lot alike (in some ways!) :) And Alex you are soo right - sometimes you just need to make something and then look at it and go, yup. I did that. Knitting is great for that because you can almost INSTANTLY see the progress.
DeleteI LOVE WRITING LETTERS!!! Haha although as far as your first point, I'm the exact opposite- I crave the time at home!
ReplyDeleteGRACE AGH ME TOO!! I didn't actually get any done on the day that I wrote this post, but since then I've written three! They are such an intimate way to touch people! and as for the time alone - I hear you on that one, too! Most of the time I do need to get out, but every so often I'm like, NOPE. ENOUGH. And then I stay at home and read books and write in my journal, and that is totally lovely, too. :)
DeleteThese are all such great suggestions! I started teaching myself to knit this winter (it's going slowly -- I keep getting distracted by other things), and it's been far too long since I lost myself in a good series. And getting out of the house is important, too, but much more difficult for this introvert! :) I call myself an INFJ, although, honestly, I've gotten every result that begins with "I" and ends with "J".
ReplyDeleteIt makes me so happy how many of us are knitting! We need a club or something. :p Also, INFJ is super close to my personality type (ENFJ!) And sometimes staying in is just as valuable - if not more! - than getting out. Sometimes I feel great after being out for a while... but nothing gets done around the house. And my journaling and blogging suffers, too... so it's a give and take relationship that I haven't quite figured out yet... lol!! Thanks so much for commenting!
DeleteAGGHHH OLIVIA I FEEL YA. PEOPLE. I NEED MY PEOPLE. I really dislike those slumps of just being home and everyone's busy and no one's around and it's just like....D': I need interaction and hugs and coffees shared with people. Oh and random plan: Someday you and Abbiee and I are getting together and going to Starbucks for coffee and just blabbing about your amazing writing for like a long time. Okay? Okay. Has to happen.
ReplyDeleteNow that that's out of the way. I needed to hear that bit about taking your writing for a car ride! I was just mulling over (moping over, more like) my current book (the second book of my sci-fi trilogy) and how I haven't written that much of it lately and I just feel like mehh. But I'm heading to Philadelphia for work for the better part of next month and I was like "....maybe I should take the book with me???" AND THEN your post. Now I am super inspired. No home distractions! Hopefully I'll accomplish as much as it sounds like you did!
Thank you for this!!!
KATIE. That first sentence has been my life lately! I had a day off this Thursday and it was WONDERFUL for about three hours, and then I got a little stir-crazy from being home alone (well, not alone. my family was around, but they were doing schoolwork and stuff and I could't talk to them! eep!) And also, girl. I would love for you and Abbiee and I to go out for coffee!! And talk about THINGS and STUFF and LIFE. And both of your amazing writing and writing in general and allllll the everything. Okay.
Deleteps. TAKE YOUR BOOK. It will help, I promise!
Have I ever told you how much I love your blog?! Your posts are so thoughtful + fun, and I really enjoyed this one. ♥ ♥
ReplyDeleteP.s I'm an ESFP.
Abbey, you are killing me girl. Like, actual deadness. Thanks for leaving such a sweet comment. :) (also, I don't think I know ANY ESFPs!! you are the first!)
DeleteI'm an INFJ. All these suggestions are so good! I too wrote a novel and though it's been fine working on it from home, it might be fun to take it for a day trip.
ReplyDeleteOOoooo, another INFJ! That's so close to mine - ENFJ! Also, do take your novel for a day trip! It's so fun and it honestly does help so much!
DeleteThe weather where I live is has hit spring time already--almost all the snow has melted and the ground is muddy--but these are still great ideas, Olivia, especially the letter writing one. Letter writing is always a good idea. And that Taylor Swift gif is so cute. :D
ReplyDeleteI think baking stuff is a good way to stay happy. You might've written that on a previous post already and I just adopted the idea. :P
I'm an ISTJ/INTJ. What are you? Also, that question cracked me up. It was so random at the end of the post and made me smile.
I wanttttt springtime too, Danielle!! Jealous! I've been trying to keep myself happy today by letter-writing (!) and tidying the house. I might bake something...maybe. we'll see what else the day brings :p
DeleteI'm an ENFJ! And I'm glad the question made you smile :)
OKAY SO THANK YOU FOR THIS POST BECAUSE MY WINTER SURVIVAL GUIDE ONLY LASTS FOR SO LONG AKA I NEEEED THIS WITH EVERY FIBER OF MY BEING. Also I admire your ability to withstand human interaction. Like I guess I'm just a really incurable introvert?? XD I left my house today for the first time in literally two weeks. IT'S JUST SO EXHAUSTING TO ME I CANNN'T DEAL. x) But I do love to make lots of plans!! So this is a good one for me to practice. ^.^ I should also get out more because I'm prematurely becoming a hermit and I don't know how healthy that is. ahEM.
ReplyDelete"(and less distractions than at home. Like the fridge)" < HAHA OKAY SO THIS IS SOOO TRUE. It happens to me all the time when I'm writing. I'm like, "Hm okay this scene...but...but...! FOOOOOD." I'm such a teenage boy sometimes. XD but yay for getting a lot of writing in!! You should be super proud of yourself, girl!! :) HA also looking at my sister's comment up there and noticing how she's like the polar opposite of me. It's so much fun that way, though!! My personality type is INFJ but I feel like I already told you that at one time or another?? I don't even know my brain does not like working this late at night. XD
Anyway this post is GOLD. thank you for it. x)
love,
abbiee
Sometimes I wish I was an introvert! It's frustrating being extroverted because I know I need to stay home and get things done, but being away from people makes me physically uncomfortable and anxious! Sometimes I don't even WANT to be around people but I know I'll feel terrible until I do - it's not nice! :p aka why making plans to hang out with the right kind of people is so important!
DeleteI am also a teenage boy sometimes. Glad we could establish this!! Lol! ;) thanks for commenting!
Thank you so much for this! Winter absolutely slays me, so it's good to see reminders like this.
ReplyDeleteGlad you liked it!! Thanks for commenting, Aimee!
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