I might sound like a broken record…especially when I say, “I might sound like a broken record,” which is a phrase I know I use all the time, but I think it’s important to be open about taking care of one’s mental health. I know the holidays can be a stressful time, so here are a few things on my “Positivity Playlist” at the moment, in case you need a little help this week.
Time for some Electricity on repeat…
I’ve discussed some of this before, but when I was going to therapy a couple years ago (just needed someone to talk to about work, life, self-doubt, motherhood, loneliness, aging), one of the things my therapist and I talked about was conscientiously trying to see the proverbial glass as half full, rather than half empty, and how it can take a LOT of work sometimes to see the world in a positive light.
I still think about this all the time because, depending and on how I’m feeling, it’s either really easy for me to feel positive and grateful for the things I have in my life (even though it’s far from perfect), or it’s really hard, let’s be honest. Some days I feel like everything’s a sh*t show, and I can’t handle it.
One of the most helpful techniques I’ve come across for me has been actively recognizing that when I feel that “life is a sh*t show” feeling coming on, I openly acknowledging it to myself.
You know how you can smell the rain coming before it happens? It’s a little like that. When I start to feel that feeling creeping up on me, I recognize it, acknowledge it (“Oh, here we go!), and then turn to my positivity toolbox.
Pretty sure I’ve mentioned all of these things before, but here they are again:
- I make it a point to do a little extra cardio, whether it’s jogging, walking or doing a workout DVD or YouTube video, because those endorphins really do help me a lot.
- I try to get some extra rest by going to bed early.
- I leave myself encouraging, positive notes everywhere — Post-its, on mirrors, on my wrists. Side note: The notes are usually written with an Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-on Eye Pencil, LOL!
- I listen to songs that make me wanna move my booty and dance around (see below).
- I fire up a Ted Talk on positive thinking.
Something here usually makes me feel better. They definitely don’t make me feel worse.
Here’s what’s on my Positivity Playlist right now…
I hope this can help you in some way, too, even if it’s just to get your heart pumping and your body moving.
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
Living in Asia, I see people around me struggle everyday to make ends meet. Everytime I am down, I just look around me and see how people with less, much less, are smiling and joking and hanging in there, and that helps me to prod on and be thankful. I also keep social media to a minimum, and visit malls only a very few times a year, otherwise the Crazy Rich Asians lifestyle overwhelms.
Hi TravelingBlush,
I feel you on needing a break from social media. As much as I enjoy the inspiration I get from Instagram, I have to take a break every once in a while because those perfect feeds make me feel “less than.”
Hope you’re having an OK week so far. We’re celebrating Thanksgiving here on Thursday, which I’m looking forward to.
Love the Positivity Playlist! Such a great idea. For me, the colder weather and time change can be rough. It gets dark so early and I just want to hibernate and not interact with humanity. Last month was stressful because Ella was sick and hospitalized a couple of times. Luckily she is doing better, but it was a rough time. I am really looking forward Thanksgiving and spending time with family and specifically trying to focus on the positive.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this. You’re not alone in feeling this way! Sending lots of hugs and purrs your way.
Hi Ruchita,
Sorry to hear about Ella, but I’m happy to hear she’s doing better. How’s the rest of the fur fam, and how are you? I feel like we haven’t talked in a while.
Thank you – Ella is doing better! She has kidney disease and had a kidney infection. Along with that she lost a lot of weight because of a lack of appetite. She ended up having surgery to get an esophageal feeding tube. She’s still able to eat and drink on her own, but I’m also able to puree food and feed her through the tube. She’s doing a lot better and is gaining weight, but I was really worried about her for a while. With losing Mingus earlier this year, I was a bit of an emotional wreck.
Louis was diagnosed with asthma a couple of months ago, so he gets treatments with an inhaler a couple of times a day. Luckily Nina is healthy! Sometimes I feel like I’m running a kitty hospital out of my house. 🙂
Oh and we added another kitty to the family. He’s a handsome house panther named Billy. He’s been coming around for about a year now and used to be a real scaredy cat. We’ve been getting him comfortable around us and he’s turned into a real sweetheart. It’s started to get cold here so we’ve started transitioning him into being an indoor cat. He’s doing really well, but Nina is still a bit grumpy about it. 🙂
As usual, I had no plans of having another kitty but this little guy deserves a home instead of trying to survive outside.
All that combined with a busy work schedule have had me doing just the bare minimum. I’ve missed chatting with you in the comments! I feel like I’m finally coming up for air and I’m hoping the rest of the year is less eventful.
Hope you have a relaxing holiday!
Here’s a few songs to add to your positivity playlist:
Burn the House Down by AJR
Hey Ladies by the Beastie Boys
I Like It by Cardi B
Also, I don’t know if it’s the weather or the state of the union or the holiday season but every person I’ve encountered today IRL and online has been a real J.E.R.K. I’m wondering if it’s a negative vibe I’m putting out first or if people are just stressed.
Thanks for posting this, Karen. It’s hard for me with my line of work to think positively but these tips are super helpful. Also, I find that browsing your blog helps me to forget some stress since I love reading about makeup and skincare.
Thanks for your post and your authenticity and honesty Karen. With the world the way it is right now (here in UK – Brexit – ugh!!) etc it is really hard to stop sinking into gloom.
A track that always makes me want to dance and smile is ‘Move On Up’ – Curtis Mayfield. Also, I have stopped all social media and emails over breakfast…
Hey Karen!!
Boy, do I know exactly of that you speak! I sure feel for you dear that you struggle with the malady yourself. I have lived with Major Depression since 1991. I’ve battled many an anti-depressant! I went through 7 before finding one that worked without making me feel like I was completely devoid of all emoting, or other wonderful variations – from Prozac to Pamelor. I had struggled for some time- and even though I was a Substance Abuse Counselor – when it hit me I was not aware that it was in fact depression. I suffered quite a while. But, I’m good now- but we do have our ups and downs.
Something that I do that helps me tremendously – is that I journal a lot. I really like that you do identify when you know that you are headed into that headspace. I’m a firm believer it takes a great deal of its power away. So good for you!! Gratitude lists have always been good for me, even if they’re just something that we do in our minds – I’m a real simple girl I guess- but I thank God for hot water every time I take a shower- water to me is transformative. I like to keep it simple. I too Karen, have struggled with loneliness – you know that. I sure hope things stay up for you!! Those low moods (that’s what I call them) are “overcomeable”, I’m fully certain and have nary a doubt you are much, much stronger than they are!!!
Best of the best, every day!!
Gina
This isn’t exactly the same thing, but as I’ve gotten older, over 30 probably, I’ve developed the very bad habit of catastrophizing. I always used to have no problem seeing the bright side, being thankful, knowing I’m lucky, etc., but now I seem to go straight to the worst case scenario about almost everything. And I also see it coming. I’ll be fine for a while and then my knee will hurt randomly and I’ll flip, the refrigerator will make a weird noise and I’ll get nervous it’s gonna break, all that stuff. I’m working on controlling it, reminding myself that I do know I’m doing it, and telling myself, out loud, “it’s fine, it’s probably nothing and even if it’s not, you’ll deal with it. YOU’RE FINE.” Here’s hoping that mantra works, but man it’s hard to train your brain!
Hi Stephanie,
I deal with this too as well, and it kicks in with anxiety. For me the mantras really help. And so does flooding my brain with positive messages. Have you heard of The Five-Minute Journal? It’s a book where you jot down things you’re grateful for for six months. Each page has a list you fill out every day — it only takes five minutes, that’s the idea — and by the end of it, you can retrain your brain to see the positive more readily. I’ve done it and it really helps, especially if you’re doing it consistently.
Hey Karen,
I go through these phases myself and your list has a lot of things I do on it such as cardio. I hate running but man after I do it my mind feels much clearer! I don’t have a specific positivity playlist, but that’s a great idea! I also try to avoid social media but I have a saved Instagram list called ‘When You’re Feeling Down’ and it’s full of cute animals and happy, smiling babies. I also have five different mantras on my wall; it’s the first thing I see when I wake up in the morning and they have helped me through some tough times:
1. Positivity, Peace, Enlightenment, Nirvana (this one, I use a LOT, especially for meditating and if I am in a mood and have to be around people)
2. With Tranquility and Acceptance, You Will Find Happiness and Peace
3. DO NOT Disturb Your Contentment With Worry
4. Every Second Is One You Can Turn It All Around
5. I Will Use Wisdom and Be Sure of Myself. I Will Be Decisive With No Regrets
I know it sounds ‘eyerolley’ but it helps me when I am right on the verge of breaking allll the way down. 🙂
Happy Thanksgiving!