This plus that equals…. cheering myself up
Here’s the latest instalment in my series of posts all about what makes our lives here at home tick. This week is all about the little things I do to cheer myself up.
I’ve been a little overwhelmed of late, spreading myself too thinly, taking on too much. The school holidays are looming, L hasn’t been sleeping well, I am stressed, husb is stressed and it’s taken its toll. So I thought I’d share the little everyday things that have been cheering me up.
Cheese
I don’t really care in what form. Melted is best. Additional garlic is nice. But I’ll take it as it comes. It’s comforting and makes me happy. On its own, with crackers, as part of a recipe, cheese and potato pie is one of my faves!
There is potential last week that I bought a Camembert to cheer me up at lunch time and shared a bit of it with James the cat to cheer him up as well.
That is literally what my life has come to. Lunch with a cat!
Music
I love a bit of music to lift my mood. Something loud, often a bit angry, always amazing. We’ve started going to gigs again which is great and I cannot wait to see Halestorm in November. But until then I’ll just turn the volume up at home and in the car.
I don’t spend much money on myself but my Google Music subscription is worth every single penny, I pay for the family plan so we can all listen to exactly what we want.
Bring Me the Horizon, New Found Glory, Fall Out Boy and Panic! At The Disco are working wonders at the moment.
Journalling
I’m still writing in my journal daily. Focusing on the happy things from each day.
For me that is the best bit about keeping a gratitude journal. Even when I have had rough day I can still find 3 goods things from it. Even if eating cheese with the cat and hanging the washing out on the line outside are two of them!
Nothing cheers me up as much as actually focusing on what made me happy.
I also have a craft journal which is great for making me focus on something relaxing and creative, a daily planner which also has a gratitude element and my diary with weekly and monthly plans which help me greatly.
Mummy and son time
Spending time with L really does cheer me up, don;t get me wrong, I don’t ever want to burden him with the responsibility for my happiness but just being with him lifts my mood without him even knowing.
His happiness is infectious, so why wouldn’t I make the most of such a wonderful natural resource? If only I could bottle the happiness I would be away.
A cuddle on the sofa, playing with him at the park or just a nice walk together. He is guaranteed to do something that will have me in stitches or is just too adorable for words.
Being Outside
Even 5 minutes outside will see the stress drifting away.
I can feel my mood lifting the second I get outside. Rain or shine I don’t care. Walking, playing or working. Doesn’t bother me.
Hanging the washing on the line genuinely makes me happy. Running through the rain is a joy. Just being outdoors does the trick for me.
This is why I like to walk, a good long walk after the school drop off sets me up for the day.
What little things cheer you up?
Finally, I’m linking up with #TwinklyTuesday and #StayClassyMama
As a vegan, cheese is the one thing that I am missing like crazy as the dairy free alternatives do not melt or tatse the same, bleugh! I am hoping to get a rhythm going with my crafting again as I haven’t had ANY time at all due to work recently. Thanks for linking up with #stayclassymama
Cheese is the only thing that stops me being vegan if I’m honest. I’m pescatarian but could give up the fish in a heartbeat and milk, butter, all of that has decent alternatives.
Being outside is definitely a mood lifter, and I’m right with you for the cheese binge! Hopefully you’re both a little less stressed this week? #TwinklyTuesday
My husband whisked me off for a little weekend away as he could see I was close to breaking bless him and there was lots of walking and lots of cheese. It’s worked wonders and I’m feeling far more like my usual self thank you xx
Loving the list! My list includes the girls, being by the sea and my pup x
Oh being by the sea! I hadn’t thought of that, I love it, always happy by the sea xx
I can remember seeing New Found Glory many, many times in my youth! #StayClassyMama
I’ve lost track of how many times I’ve seen them, not for a fair few years though!!
Music, chocolate and trashy TV cheers me up! Little L looks like a lovely happy little chappy!
Thank you for liking up with #StayClassyMama, I hope you can join again next time!
I love a bit of trashy tv.
Ah these things too make me happy, in addition to chocolate. all the chocolate!! I really need to write my diary more often, I aim to but when I get into bed I’m always just too tired! #FortheloveofBLOG
Susie at This is me now recently posted…Bioparc Valencia: great tourist attraction for families
I have to force myself to some evenings!
Chocolate! Always chocolate will cheer me up, but a snuggle with the little girl. Thanks for linking up to #fortheloveofblog
Chocolate is a very useful cheer me up tool isn’t it!!
Great list, spending time with my son outside really cheers me up as well#Blogstravaganza
Mrs Jibril recently posted…How to survive a long distance relationship
The fresh air just helps doesn’t it
Fall Out Boy and PATD! takes me back, I love them! Thanks so much for sharing with #Blogstravaganza xx
The Tale of Mummyhood recently posted…#Blogstravaganza #30
I still love them really up beat sing along stuff
I needed this reminder that little things can make a big difference in how you feel when things are not all going right. I think I need to go invest in some cheese.
It isn’t good for me, but it does make me happy!!
I have enjoyed having all 3 kids home this week and watching them play together (and bickering 🙁 ) #blogstravaganza
Musings of a tired mummy…zzz… recently posted…How to stop your teen from smoking
Mine has been driving me crazy today but now he’s gone out I miss and can’t think why I was so annoyed, exasperating but generally a source of joy