It's been awhile since I last posted! My only excuse is that life happens, and when it happens to someone like me I get easily overwhelmed. It probably is not helping that I overcommit myself to everything. What can I say? I like to try lots of things.
Anyhow. Have I mentioned my fervent dislike of opening sentences? I feel like they fake a formality that should not exist, especially on my own blog. Yet, for the sake of grammar and people who may read this, I am obligated to write them.
What I wanted to talk about today was not the ludicrousness of English grammar, believe it or not. I know I posted recently about how much I love fall, but do you want to know a secret? Fall makes me sad. I never noticed how much so until a couple of years ago. The aching beauty of deep periwinkle skies behind orange trees, the smell of bonfire smoke, the crunch of dry leaves underfoot- all move me, but in a bittersweet way. The real reason this time of year depresses me is the lack of sunshine and daylight hours and the eventual transition from autumn's colorful landscape to winter's bleak, colorless palette. I tend to become this pale, introverted person who shuffles around the house in pajamas, rubbing her hands together for warmth. It aint pretty, friends, and I know I am not the only person who gets like this. I am no individual. So I have decided, for the sake of my own sanity, to write down a few ways to not feel sad:
-talk about it. I am often uncomfortable when it comes to opening up about how I feel, But once I do I usually feel better. It is extremely important to tell someone you can trust, not just a friend or family member who you feel does not know enough about you. I have made that mistake before. I am fortunate enough to have a good relationship with my mom, and a few very close friends with whom I can be transparent as well as cry in front of, knowing they won't think I'm weird. So, find someone you can trust, and don't be afraid to cry. Crying actually releases happy chemicals (called endorphins) which is why people tend to feel better after a good cry. The same effect actually comes from talking to your mom when you're upset. Who knew?
-do what you love, but don't lose yourself in it. When life is a lot to handle all I really want to do is read a book or go for a run or watch a movie. I think having hobbies are a crucial part of relieving stress or depression, but there is a fine line between hobby and addiction. What I'm trying to say is that if you love to read, then read, but don't use it as a distraction from the problem at hand. Watch a movie if you are a film fanatic, but don't lose yourself in happy ending after happy ending because you think your own life is boring. Running is a great stress reliever, but don't use it as a metaphorical way to run away from your problems (unless you literally have to run away from your problem because your problem is that people are chasing you, in which case RUN FOREST RUN!).
Running actually leads me to my next Way To Not Feel Sad:
-take a hike. Not because no one likes you. Take a hike because exercise also releases endorphins. Not only does working out release happy chemicals, it also can give you the bikini body you have secretly been wanting. I like to go on walks by myself when I am sad, because I literally walk off whatever foul mood compelled me to leave the house. What works for me probably does not work for everybody. Try running or yoga or some other form of exercise (I personally like yoga. As my sister Rose would say, "it's kind of like sleeping, but with more commitment!").
-eat better. Fresh foods keep the body's levels of homeostasis (normal temperature, hormone levels, etc) in order. While eating fruits and veggies and a balanced diet does make me feel better, eating a chocolate bar the size of my face helps as well. You can have the best of both worlds, my friends.
-talk to Jesus. Praying and reading the Bible are great ways to feel better, but sometimes it's fine to just abide in the presence of God. Psalm 46:5 says "be still, and know that I am God;" and that is all it takes to feel peace at the feet of Jesus. It is perfectly fine to cry or be angry at God. He doesn't expect you to be this perfect person who prays like nothing is wrong (because He's omniscient, He knows everything about everybody, thus putting on a happy face in front of Him is pointless). God created you the way you are, so be yourself. Reading Psalms actually helps me as well, because the people who wrote some of them (particularly chapters 13 and 37) were very honest about their feelings, and it's nice to know that I can identify with Christians who lived so very long ago.
These are all things that help me out of the dark pits of anxiety and depression I tend to find myself falling into. While these are all legitimate ways to stop feeling sorry for yourself, they really do not solve your problems. I know not everyone is capable of dealing with their issues because sometimes things just spiral out of your control, or weren't even in your hands in the first place. So if you can change a situation, don't be afraid to. There is nothing worse than someone who has a problem who talks about it constantly, yet does nothing to solve it when they have the ability to (I know, I have been that person). And if you find yourself unable to control the circumstances you are in, there is always hope. I know that sounds cheesy, and I would want to throw a brick at me if I said something like that, but it is true. Nothing lasts forever. So, go for a run. Watch The Princess Bride for the 87th time. Call your mom. Talk to Jesus. You can't always eliminate a problem, but you can change the way you deal with it.
--Laura :)
