Monday I felt absolutely terrible. There was no real reason, no real trigger. I just felt blue, out of the blue (ha! sorry, couldn’t resist). The seriously melancholic type where you end up almost crying in the supermarket for no particular reason.
My teenage self would wallow in her miserable feelings. But over the years I have developed as a person. And although I still feel sad sometimes (with or without a clear reason), at least I try very actively to turn my feelings around these days. One day these attempts are successful, the other not, but at least they’re there. I try to allow myself my feelings, while meanwhile turning them into something more constructive. I invite my creativity to the table, and say: “Hey, at this moment in time I feel like everything sucks. Perhaps you can do something fun with that shitty feeling, because I don’t know what to do about it.” And then my creativity doesn’t show up for the meeting and comes in an hour late saying: “Oh you already started without me?” Long story short, I decided to make a happy chart for if you feel tired, sad, miserable, hopeless, worried, dissatisfied and plain out depressed. So if you wonder how to feel better, I hope this chart provides a nice start. I even created a higher resolution, downloadable black and white version for you, which you can print out and stick on your fridge.
Colouring it in is recommended.
See it as creative therapy.
You’re welcome.
At the end of the day Joran joined for dinner at my place. I told him that his presence created a larger switch in my mood in 10 minutes than the chart had done in 2 hours. “That’s because you should put ‘hug Joran’ on your chart.” “I thought about that actually and wanted to. But that would be unfair to the people who don’t have a Joran. Also, I wanted the actions to be things you can influence yourself for 100%, rather than being dependant upon others.”
So the real secret learning point is that you should hug Joran. He gives great hugs. But if that’s not an option, then there is always this chart.
PS. Please share this post if it brought a smile to your face or if you think it might help someone you know. And please tell me in the comments what helps you to feel better when you’re feeling blue!
PPS. I feel a lot better today :)
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7 Comments
Els
September 13, 2015 at 17:10
<3
Katherine
September 17, 2015 at 03:16
Oh, this is perfect! I’ve been in a real blue funk recently. There’s a lot of situational life stuff going on, and then also just bad wiring in my brain. These past few weeks have been tough, but I’ve been getting what I need to get done, and painting a lot. I have also been questioning my entire purpose and whether I should drop out of grad school, though…
Much love and positive vibes your way!
-Kath
Heather
September 17, 2015 at 10:38
Hi Marielle,
I LOVE this chart – you just made me laugh! I am definitely downloading and sharing this one :-)
I have a rotten cold, I’m worried about one of my kids (nothing major, just ‘Mum’ stuff) and I’ve been feeling a bit fed up in general. I’m feeling more proactive already.
Thanks!
magicaldaydream
September 21, 2015 at 08:08
Yay! Thanks :) I also had such a terrible cold last week. It seems to be finally gone. Hope you are doing well :)
Matt Maldre
October 8, 2015 at 18:34
Yesterday i was feeling down, so i went across the street to walgreens to get some candy. I ran into my favorite cashier, whom I haven’t seen since I got married 2-1/2 months ago. I was so happy to see her and share with her how the wedding and honeymoon went. It was pretty funny, she says, “you married now and you are so happy!” Which, yes, overall is true. But given that I was just sad a few moments ago at work, it was amazing for her to say that–which changed my persona and perception of myself. :) Yes, I can be a happy person. :)
magicaldaydream
October 9, 2015 at 11:23
Haha that’s a great story. And it’s a great example of how perceptions can widely vary. But also perhaps how thinking of a happy occasion will make you re-live the happy moments and actually become more joyful again. The brain can be difficult to direct, but choosing if we indulge in negative thoughts or positive ones is a first big step in guiding your mood I think (and yes, not there yet myself ;) )
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January 12, 2017 at 15:14
Pieces, No. 5 | Finally Raining