Frump to Fab 2023

helensbiggestfan

Good Morning Lovely Ladies 

Abbafan.....how to beat the January blues - what  an interesting question. 

Assuming there are no obvious causes for low mood, ie not a life event or stressful situation, but it is rather just a general Ho hum of feeling low then I think there are a number of strategies we can use to elevate our mood. I think the key to lifting a low mood is to control what we input into our brains. Thoughts lead to feelings so try to control your thoughts and this is easier if you feed your brain positive input.  

So First i would suggest avoid binge watching the news, avoid toxic social media sites, crap tv, in real life avoid "emotional vampires" and people who hurt you or bring you down.  

That kind of thing. Surround yourself with positive people.  Protect your brain. 

I agree music, films etc can really help lift us out of the doldrums, as can exercise, fresh air, daylight. Even cleaning the house can improve our mood.  So get busy, get moving.  

And of course, improving our self image can really help lift our spirits.  Slobbing around in unattractive clothes can really drag us down.  

If we want to feel good then we have to change our mindset. Even if we don't feel like it,  we have to force ourselves to think positive thoughts and feed our brains with the good stuff.  Not always easy on a cold dark January morning but sometimes the only way is to take a deep breath and get cracking.  

Start with your appearance.  Don't wait until "one day when". When you've lost weight and transformed your body. Start today, dress up, wear something that makes you feel good, style your hair nicely, a bit of make up if you wear it.  Do it every day, even if it's an at home day and no one is going to see you, do it for you.  I promise you it will help elevate your mood.

As I write the engineers are fitting my new washing machine and tumble dryer.  So today I shall catch up with the laundry.  I am also going to blitz my wardrobe, get rid of anything that no longer "sparks joy".  I'm going to be ruthless. I am excited. 😂. 

And I shall be playing upbeat music whilst I work.  

Watty1

thank you for being here.  What a difference 24 hours can make.   I have lifetime access to a group that offers coaching and there was a live call yesterday so I joined that.    That was a mood boost as everyone was upbeat. 

I stuck to my plans to keep tidying the bedroom and en-suite in small doses and this morning after feeding and mucking out the horses I came in for a shower, adding some perfume and dressed in clean clothes.  Still in sweat pants and fleece but clean and respectable enough to go to the doctors for blood test.  Whilst in waiting room I realised I had not brushed hair but found a small brush in bottom of handbag and did so.

Today I will tidy wardrobe, doing washing and sort out real clothes to wear tomorrow. 

MrsCatz

Morning all, just.
I am dressed in my yoga gear as I plan to go for a wet and windy walk at lunch time. I have located my water proof trousers and wellies. I will stick to the pavements as the fields will be flooded.

liberty_lily

Welcome to all the new posters - it's great to have you all on board 🙂 

I'm another who suffers from SAD and really feels the pain of long, dull January (and February, although as that's when my birthday is I try to feel more upbeat then 😉) days. I also have a bit of a problem with thinning hair and have threatened to look into wigs should it get any worse. Mine began with the onset of the menopause (which started early - I was just over 40 - and lasted what felt like a very long time - till I was 50). I'm 55 now. With hindsight I should have seen my GP, especially as I experienced never ending - and horrifically heavy - periods to start with (sorry for TMI 🙄) but I try to avoid doctors where possible and haven't actually seen one for 20+ years. So I suffered in silence. 

Today it's absolutely rubbish weather again, meaning DH still can't go to his client's - yesterday because it was sunny/dry he went there although it was the bank holiday, but she'd locked up his tools and gone away without letting him know 🙁

However, I'm trying to put a positive spin on things. The reason being we just heard the awful news that on old parent friend - same age as me - from DS's school days is in the latter stages of early onset Alzheimer's. We lost touch as she and her DH went to live/work in Dubai 14 years ago. They're back now, living in the South of England (from where we moved 15 years ago). DS and his partner bumped into them with their daughter (DS/GF's friend) in Sussex and she no longer speaks or understands anything 😪 

So, whilst I'm feeling terrible for her and her family, I'm also trying to feel thankful for what I have (particularly as both my parents had dementia of one kind or another 😪).

Anyway, we're making the most of yet another unexpected day at home together by clearing out a store cupboard in readiness to turn it into additional wardrobe space. We've listed a few more items for sale - and already sold a decorative wall plate, a set of vintage prints and some lampshades....in addition to the TV we listed the other day and which sold the same evening 😁 

I also removed the decorations from the living Christmas tree by the front door and took down the garland of fir branches with twinkling lights framing the door. The rest of the decs are still up, bringing a little late festive cheer to this disgusting day! I'm actually tempted to leave the Christmas tree and other stuff in the living room and kitchen up till Candlemas.....

helensbiggestfan

Unbelievably frustrating morning. The engineers have mucked up  the installation of my washing machine and it won't work properly.  Took me ages to finally get some assistance.  They are sending another engineer tomorrow. 🤞.   

I know it's a first world problem and in the grand scheme of things it's just a minor irritation but even so......it's time consuming and frustrating. Lol. 

liberty_lily

What a pain! How the heck could they mess up such a simple job?!?!

I've had a very productive afternoon - I've reorganised my sewing accoutrements (many of which date back to my days as a fashion student and when I had my first business 🙄😉) so that I now have all my art and sewing stuff - including my machine - in one of the decoupage cabinets next to the dining table where I'm most likely to use them 😁

Sadly my huge fabric stash is still upstairs in several plastic trunks in the aforementioned store cupboard. Next task is to thin those out....

thepurplepixie

Liberty-lily my husband suffers from SAD, it's horrible isn't it.  He is so down with it but those special lamps help, he has one on in the sun lounge as he says seeing a bright light through the window makes him feel like it is sunny and then he has one by where he sits.  He's disabled and in pain anyway so SAD is the final straw really.  Probably isn't doing much for our electric bill but we do what we have to do don't we.

Abbafan1972

@cinnamon123 & @helensbiggestfan

Thank you for all the suggestions for lifting the mood. 

Some good ideas there. 

sugarbaby125

Hello Ladies,

I realised that I hit my savings goal for 2022 of adding another £3,000 of savings in premium bonds.    As I have cut my present buying to the minimum now, I expect to save even more in 2023.   

I used a total of £836 on my Gas prepayment meter throughout 2022 and £915 on my Electric prepayment meter. I only spent exactly £350 more in 2022, than I spent in 2021 which is really good, considering all of the prices rises for energy in 2022.   I do have a much more energy efficient tumble dryer now and I have also cut back on my central heating use but I was still pleasantly surprised. 

I am determined to get rid of all of the items in my home that are not being used by myself or my 2 adult children who live with me this year. I will sell anything that is saleable and donate the easy to carry and small items to the local charity shops. I have a strong carrier bag full of items ready to drop off tomorrow on my way to the theatre. 

MrsCatz

Sugarbaby125 that sounds like an excellent plan. I do like shifting items that are no longer needed.

I took myself out for a wet walk yesterday, very pleased I did and will do so again today. The high winds last night resulted in a short power cut here so pleased I keep my head torch next to the bed.