Beat those Blues!

New Year, New You!

If like me, your January took forever but you don't remember doing anything, start your year in February! 

Now is the time to take back charge of our boring, regimented routine but soak in some of the joy we seem to save up and use in abundance in December. 

I'm not talking resolutions, you know, the 'New Year' type. I'm talking little things to help you keep that warm feeling of happiness a little longer, especially whilst we curse the Baltic temperatures at least. 

Whether it's outside, showing the world, or inside you, in your mind, I'm a firm believer that simple pleasures can go a long way. 

Here's 8 things that will seem huge to some and minor to others, I'm not suggesting do them all, but one or two of them might just keep a spring in your step, well at least until Spring hopefully ha! 

1. Smile! It takes more energy to be miserable than it does to happy! Hopefully you've smiled your way through Christmas, keep it going. If you're going through a hard time, do the 'remember when' game. Those times you were smiling, you were laughing. Even better, create new 'remember when's'! Make those giggles now. Laugh with a friend, laugh with a child, laugh with your partner. You get one go at this life, only you can decide whether you'll smile through it, even the hard times. 
2. Guilty pleasures! Ooh I hear you all cringing ha! I'll be honest, most of my life may be perceived as a guilty pleasure. I love being a geek! Embrace your guilty pleasure, do it as often as you can! Watch Harry Potter. Eat your daughters crisps (and replace, I'm not that mean!) Sing as loud as you want in the car to Wham!   It's YOUR guilty pleasure! 
3. Sparkle everyday! That dress you bought for the Christmas do? Chunky cardi and tights, wear it one Sunday out for lunch, even better, wear it for work one Monday morning! That new shirt, tie, suit, it cost you a teeny tiny fortune, get it worn! You'll definitely have a spring in your step and a smile on your face!
4. Do new! We all have a local and that's good, but spread your wings. Fly further afar. Try a new bar, pub, restaurant. Last months issue featured so many options over the Christmas period. All those venues to choose from and fill our sparkly boots with!
5. Be selfish! Ok, within reason obviously ha! Say no if you want to. We all deserve time for us, we're the only ones in our head who can look after us! 
6. Perfect the flick! (Ahem, sorry!) I've always wanted to be able to do a really good winged eyeliner. I am now going to practise. What do you want out of your personal daily routine? Actually remembering to take your make up off is a good one! Or deciding to apply face cream, whether you're male or female, face cream is always a good idea. 
7. Don't save for best! The best is now! Everyday is best, overdressed is never! Always look and feel your best, it does wonders for your inner confidence and doesn't cost the earth. Even indoors, wear your favourite pjs. You may think it's overrated but that's because YOU save your best for best...
8. Last one... and to quote one of my favourite voices at the moment, Jess Glynne, Don't be so hard on yourself? Life can be hard, it can be exhausting, it can also be damn right cruel but keep going, keep smiling, with sequins on your back, a heel on your shoe and a guilty pleasure in everyday madness, make this year your best year yet! 

Happy New Year Everyone! 

Lindsey 

How to... Get through the January blues...

And...it's over, normality resumed! Whether you've returned to work at the beginning of the week or the school run has just started to rear its ugly head, you can guarantee that the alarm won't go off or the kids stay in bed later than they have done in whole two weeks they've been off! Not only that, but the thought of that washing pile you've not touched (it was your Christmas too!), the general cleaning you've dodged (who knew Christmas decorations could gather so much dust!), and yet Monday, once again, is only 3 sleeps away! (Sorry!)

So now I've depressed you just that little bit more, here is my list of 7 things to help beat those January blues...

1. Reminisce your laughter...
At this point it's probably hard to remember how much you've laughed in your lifetime. Me, I've laughed a lot. A hell of a lot. Thinking about the memories that made you laugh the most, can bring you back to a happier time.
The time your friend walked into a bollard in Benidorm and you ran off laughing or when your friend came to your hen do with a spray tan that would put an Umpa-Lumpa to shame.
The fact that your friend snorts when she laughs and that makes you laugh even more!
Thinking of all these things can instantly and without cost, bring a smile back to your face.

2. Do something for someone else
Although above I have taken delight in the misfortunes of my friends, I do like to do things for others. Its not selfish to make yourself feel good by helping someone else (whatever Joey says to Phoebe!). Spread the love! Its much nicer to make more than one person feel good, including yourself. Go see that elderly relative that you haven't seen for months, take a shortbread to a neighbour and see if they want company for a coffee. Even bag up all that stuff you've been meaning to take to the Charity shop since June (you won't need summer clothes now, its freezing!).
Trust me, you will feel better. (and if you don't get the Joey and Phoebe comment, you need to watch more Friends - see my next idea!)

3. Comedy TV
The other night I watched Fawlty Towers with my husband. He literally cried with laughter at it. Personally, not so much. I'm more of an Only Fools or Ab Fab girl myself (and Friends of course). Give me Del falling through the bar or Patsy and Eddie air kissing any day.
What I'm saying is, watch something that makes you happy. Curl up with a blanket and a cuppa, kids, husband, dog, tortoise, whatever! and chill your little ass out watching something that makes you smile.

4. Wrap up and face the world
Now you've had your cosy day watching TV, its time to get your hat and coat on! If there's blue sky, get yourself outside. It might be freezing but you all own a coat and I'm sure you all got a knitted scarf from an Aunty that you never see, for Christmas. I love wrapping the kids up and walking with the low Winter sun beaming at us. If you're lucky enough to have a Temple Newsam or Roundhay Park near by, there's little or no excuse to get some fresh air. Failing that, walk to a friends house. The blue sky and fresh air will put you in the mood for coffee and a natter.

5. Speak to Friends
Remember when your house phone had a wire? My kids certainly don't. Brought up in the new age of social media its easy to forget that your friends are actually human and not an online robot.
Physically go see your friends. Go to their house, invite them to yours, meet for coffee. If you can't get there, dial their number (or look in Contacts!) and speak to them. Not WhatsApp, Facebook, Snapchat. Actually have a conversation with a human and not a keyboard! You'll be surprised at how much you enjoy it.

6. Small Pleasures
What's your favourite thing to do? One of mine, is to sit on my bed with a cup of tea and magazine, reading with no interruptions, it doesn't happen very often, but it's still one of my favourite things to do.
When was the last time you baked a cake? Coloured in a picture? Painted your nails? Those little things that you say, I wish I did that more often, do them! Whatever it may be. That small treat increases your happiness like you wouldn't believe.

7. Plan for adventure
Yes its January. Yes we're skint after Christmas but no that won't always be the case. That trip you want to take, research it. That place you always wanted to go with the kids, when does it reopen. That summer holiday, price it up. Having something to look forward to is always a happiness booster. When my kids can't sleep, this is what I tell them to dream about, what adventure will we take next...


Remember, you're never fully dressed without a smile!
xoxo