STITCH LINES...... Ramblings on life as a quilter, stitcher, traveler, photographer, gardener and lover of books, cats and fine chocolate....

Monday, January 21, 2019

Blue Monday

Today is Blue Monday, supposedly the "lowest point" in the year for many people. Not sure if that's because of that recently-arrived Visa bill from Christmas spending, the short cold days of winter and lack of sunshine, low motivation and the desire to just hibernate, or maybe all of the above! I know I certainly get "down" a bit in the winter; I've never been a "winter sports person".. I just don't enjoy being cold. Period. Winter can't end soon enough for me. So today, following a significant amount of snow and ice pellets from yesterday's big snowstorm, I'm choosing to dream of spring and my garden, and the beautiful blues I will find there. I thought I'd share some (blue) garden shots with you; you've seen them before if you've been following me for a while. Obviously they weren't taken today - my gardens are under several feet of snow...

I get through the winter by dreaming of spring and summer in my garden. I know you're not supposed to wish your life away... but it helps me through the cold winter months. That's my story and I'm stickin' to it!

I read an article this morning on Blue Monday and it offered a few tips on beating the winter blues - they all made good sense to me. 1. Pamper yourself. (I like this one!!) Treat yourself to a spa date or have a pedi, buy a nice bottle of wine or some special chocolate and a good book, pick up tickets to a show you've been wanting to see... just treat yourself to something out of the ordinary. You're worth it!
2. Go to bed earlier. The benefits of sleep cannot be disputed and a little extra time in zzz-land will give you extra energy for tomorrow. (Of course, I have to learn to close the book and turn out the light....)


3. Watch a funny movie. Or take in a comedy show. We all could use a little more laughter in our lives. Lighten the mood!
4. Book a holiday. We may not all be able to afford a trip to the sunny south to escape the cold, but plan a trip somewhere. Why? To give yourself something to look forward to. This works for me. Of course it works even better if it IS a sunny southern location I'm planning to visit, but just planning a get-away to somewhere will put me in a better mood. Try it and see!
5. Perform a random act of kindness for someone. It doesn't matter what it is, large or small, helping out someone else makes YOU feel good too.   :)

What helps you get through the winter, or beat the winter blues? Do you have any tips to share?

Happy Blue Monday! Be sure to return on Wednesday, I'll have blossoms of another sort to share with you...


Peace,
Linda

If you have the power to make someone smile, do it. The world needs more of that.

6 comments:

Jennifer said...

Good advice......unfortunately I don't think it translates to heat as well as it does to cold. Your flowers are lovely!

Vee said...

Excellent! I know that I am in hibernation mode...don’t have much need to chat or get out. Much too cold for that!

Evi Erlinda - Brain Plasticity said...

wonderful blues... lovely flowers
greeting- evi erlinda

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

How interesting! I should have known...I had a little trouble getting started yesterday! lol We have so much sunshine here that we don't suffer like so many people do. I get outside and HIKE! And Mondays are my day to work at the Hospice House. I volunteer as a patient visitor every Monday so that gives me a way to help others that impacts my life in positive ways. Happy to see your new blog posts! I've missed you!

Farm Quilter said...

Even though right now I can't travel, I love to look at cruises (to warm places) and all-inclusive holidays. I am used to popping off to visit my kids any time I want to and I haven't been able to travel like that in 3 years. I also love to look at quilts and plan out the next one I want to make.

Carol- Beads and Birds said...

Gosh I love those flower pics!! I used to suffer from winter blues, but not so much since I retired. I think it's a little different when you can spend your time doing what you want when you want to. Somehow I have learned to just relax and take it one day at a time and try not to account for what I accomplished today. We are in a deep freeze today (Friday) that is expected to last a few weeks. I don't even care what's in the mail box, lol.
xx, Carol

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