Starting out the new year means taking a fresh grip on problems and dilemmas that occupied you during the old one. These approaches may help.
What to do when:
You’re Feeling Tired
Sleep…if you can’t manage that right now, at least take a 10 or 20-minute nap. Just a bit of shuteye does wonders. (Resolve to go to bed early, if that’s possible. One way to get there tonight: watch less television or do less work on the computer.)
Change the bedsheets — but spray your pillows and mattress with fabric freshener before the fresh linens go on the bed.
You’re Lonely
Call or e-mail someone you love, particularly a person you haven’t talked to for a while. Write them a letter, saying how much they mean to you.
Or contact someone from your past that was a real inspiration. (Especially teachers.) Thank them for their influence on your life.
Go somewhere where people are hanging out — the gym, library or a coffeeshop. Smile at someone. Compliment them on their clothes, mention a new movie…or the weather. Smile again. (No need to go further, if you don’t want to.)
You’re Coming Down With Something…Like The Flu
You’ll recover much faster if you rest now, rather than drag yourself through the day’s activities. Warm, loose clothes and a snug afghan will keep your temperature until control. Keep the fluids coming in, and let your body do its stuff to fight this unwelcome intruder. (Chicken soup’s a godsend, too.)
You’re Short On Funds
Even figuring out ways to save a little will help.
Don’t buy groceries, except for the bare essentials for the next week or so. Live on what’s in your pantry and freezer. (It’s called the Pantry Challenge. More on this in another post.)
You Feel Aimless
When life is uncertain, Daughter #1 swears by a good deep scrubbing of her studio apartment, top to bottom.: “At least I know one part of my life is tidy.” It won’t solve all life’s problems, but a shining bathroom sink may inspire you to clean other parts up. At the very least, it gives you time to mull over situations while you’re working.
Cleaning up yourself — a long bath or shower — is worth the extra water. Or start a new job or project.
You’re Angry
Are you actually mad about something else, rather than whatever subject’s currently got your ire? If so, deal with that first.
Next, ask yourself (about inflammatory statements): “Who’s saying it…and why?” Next, “Can I do something about it?” If not, this may be something you must deal with gradually — or just learn to live with.
You Need A Boost, But Your Time And Budget Are Limited
Try a new author…or a movie that you wouldn’t normally go see.
Buy flowers. (Or just one bloom, if that’s all your cash can handle.) Put it where you can see it regularly.
Research for your “upcoming” trip to _____ (insert favorite country here). Start saving for that trip, even if that just means whatever you can find in the couch cushions for now.
Try something with lemon — the citrus will give you a boost of Vitamin C, and the crisp flavor is a wake-up call in itself.
Sooner or later, things will ‘reset:’ and you’ll feel better. Life goes on.
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