You know those days where nothing is particularly wrong, you're not sad, yet you just feel.... blah?
Of course you do. We all have them.
Those days where you want to do nothing but lie in bed and watch seven or so episodes of
Breaking Bad in a row. I did that about two days ago, and as quality as AMC programming tends to be, when I felt my computer mouse click on the play button of another episode today, my brain stopped myself this time.
Dude. Seriously?
We all have those days, but you were already a bum... recently.
Balls to this. Get stuff done.
Balls to this indeed. So I listened to my stupid, yet right brain, and then was just stuck with answering the daunting question that rattles around in all our brains when in comfy sweat pants and under body-temperature sheets. The fucking blinking cursor on our newly opened Word document, taunting us. How do I get my ass in gear?
In these moments, I am very glad I obtained my B.A. in Psychology, as it has proved immensely helpful in training me to be better at tricking myself into doing shit I don't want to do with some good ol' positive reinforcement. The long-term us knows that by doing some school work now, or an errand, or editing that friend's paper, or by getting an early start on our taxes (joy), or whatever it is that we don't want to do at that moment, that we will be happier later. The fly in the ointment, so to speak, is that the long-term us is a pale-skinned 80 pound weakling that needs an inhaler to walk two steps in their orthopaedic shoes, and the short-term us, our
Id, the NOW us, is a crazy mother fucker that lays dudes out. The now us doesn't want to do jack, and the now us almost always wins.
So again, the question remains, how do I make myself do shit?
Simple, make yourself feel good. Your body and mind will then take care of the rest. Get rid of the
blah.
This is my list of a few things I do to get myself all pumped up.
Hopefully it will prove useful to some of you. I dare you all to try at least some of these things if you don't do them already.
- Have a nice, warm shower.
Cardinal rule; everything seems better after a warm shower. Always. No exceptions.
The world is brighter and more promising than before you stepped into its porcelain world.
Take your time in there. Shave. Feels amazing to be all smooth to the touch. This goes for dudes too. I love shaving my legs as often as I can, helps make me feel sexy. Men, engage in some manscaping.
One of my favourite things to do in the world is this; plug both your ears with your fingers and, slowly, with your eyes closed, tilt your head backwards into the stream of water, all the way up to your forehead. Then slowly move your head back towards your chest. The water stream sounds like a magical waterfall inside your head; a calming waterfall in existence just for your enjoyment.
If warm showers tend to make you drowsy, (or if you just want to try this out, as I recommend it) at the very end of your shower, make the water colder. It has to be cold enough to cause you to feel awake and a little uncomfortable. Let the water fall on you for awhile then jump out of the shower. All your pores will feel more awake than you have ever experienced, and it's wonderful. You are now alert, and clean.
But Danielle, I like so many others, am morally opposed to cold showers.
Fine then, don't try it. It's only a suggestion friend.
2. Dress like the world's most comfortable hobo.
After a shower, because I am a woman with long hair, I absolutely hate getting dressed into the clothes I want to wear for the day while my hair is still wet. I understand this is not an issue for most men, as after two or three rubs of the towel, your hair is pretty much dry and ready to go (
you lucky pricks) but I still suggest this. Get out of the shower, towel off, and put on something comfy that you are not wearing the rest of the day. If a woman, comb your hair and dry it. Moisturize. I don't do it enough and I have no clue why. The best feeling in combination with being warm and clean is having soft skin. Gentlemen, treat yourself to a shave, then moisturise. Pay attention to your feet. They get sore and dry from being on them everyday. Massage them, it is pure euphoria. Ladies, look at your make-up free face in the mirror and smile.
Recognize that this is the real you, and you should never feel compelled to hide it under make-up everyday of your life. True beauty comes from within and all that crap (it really does though).
3. Take some time with your appearance.
I know this part of the pump up list will seem hypocritical being listed just after me reminding ladies that they are beautiful au-natural. Let me be clear, this point is
not about putting on mountains of make-up, (unless of course, that is just how you prefer looking, and what makes you feel the most beautiful, then by all means) it is about feeling good and prideful with how you look today. I wish I learned this lesson in my life a lot sooner, but the kinder you are to your body, the happier you will be, honestly.
I tend to be the type who only puts serious effort into how I look when I'm going out, or catching up with friends, because then there is a concrete reason. Hell, I don't wear a bra 70% of the time. It never struck me until recently, that the reason to look good on just your average day, anyday, everyday, is
yourself. Look good for yourself. It helps improve my mood an unbelievable amount. I still suggest not putting on a lot of make-up ladies, as it can become an addiction, where you feel uncomfortable leaving the house without your "face" on. This is a very sad thing to witness, and if you feel compelled to do so because you have convinced yourself that all men prefer women who look like this, that is irrational, and simply not true. However, do whatever makes you feel beautiful,
to yourself, nobody else. Fuck everybody else. Just recognize that the morning face you have, is gorgeous too, and a lot more truthful.
Pictured: The truth.
But today I felt like red confident bitch lipstick and pearls.
Why? Why fucking not.
The point is, enjoy your body. Try not to spend too much time being ashamed of it, or worrying about what others think of it. It is the most powerful instrument you will ever own, and it's all yours.
It's been so long since I just tried to look good for myself, that while straightening my hair today my body responded like a dog wagging its tail.
Oh boy!! Are we going to go for a car ride?
No, we're going to be productive today and tackle homework.
My brain is still currently not on speaking terms with me due to this deception, however, I am confident that with therapy, we will eventually be able to work things out.
4. Now bring the beat.
Music. We all love it. I personally like putting on music while transitioning from step 2 to step 3 of this list, but it's up to you. The key here is you want upbeat music that evokes you to euphoria. Music you can't help but smile to. Songs that have a past connection to a friendship of yours, University or College or High School, and other great memories are good places to start. Here are some suggestions to get your playlist rockin':
Start Your Party Off With These Fellas
And These
An Oldie but ALWAYS a Goodie.
I Would Go Gay For This Woman
... And This One (this one is not as upbeat, but it still makes me happy)
Mother Mother
Stars
Alright! So, to recap, now you smell good, look good, and have happy tunes blaring.
Feel better? I always do by this point.
Two more suggestions!!
5. Your room, your castle.
I am unfortunately not yet an apartment or home owner (ohhh, being a student) so all I can attest to in terms of personal space is my room, but still, I have a suggestion.
From comparing my friends' rooms to my own, I have noticed this. I put the things that make me amazingly happy in plain sight. I surround myself with some of my favourite things, and friends have noticed this and will say how my room really suits me as a person and matches my personality. This is no accident.
I have a string of those old Christmas mini-lights pegged to where the ceiling meets the wall on one side of my room. The bright colours make me happy, and I turn them on at night sometimes. I have a few mini disco balls slightly hanging from my ceiling. I am 22, going on 23, and have Batman bedsheets.
Again. Why fucking not? If it makes you happy, have it there for you to easily see!
I have a sign language pillow, my University degree proudly hung up on the other side of the room, reminding me of my accomplishments when I feel low, a shelf filled with retro Sega Genesis games.
Your room should be a space where your soul goes to re-cooperate from how harsh the world can be. Make it that way for yourself! When I have tons of assignments, I turn on the Christmas lights and play some old 8-bit videogame tunes, and ya know what? The work never seems as daunting after that.
6. The best for last.
Compliment someone. Right now. Do it.
I dare you to randomly text the sixth person down from the top of your contact list and tell them what you think about them. You would be surprised at how good you will feel, making someone else's day, reminding someone that you care about them, and also, you would be AMAZED at how much some people may be seriously needing compliments. I talk the talk so I walked the walk and texted my friend sixth down from the top, and his response was "What?" and then followed by wondering if I was trying to sleep with him and saying that he "never gets compliments". That just makes me sad.
Tell your friends that they are wonderful, that they are smart, funny, fashionable, kind, and gorgeous.
You will never regret it or find it a waste of time. Text, or better yet call, someone you love right now.
If none of that helps you out, consider getting a pet. Animals provide us with unconditional love that humans can never even hope to match. Cats, dogs, whatever, they all help raise one's spirits.
Also, exercise. Releases Neurotransmitters like Dopamine and Serotonin which cause happiness, so there is always the scientific approach too.
Regardless, I'm going to make today a wonderful day, and I hope the rest of you can manage to as well.
Maybe I even helped. Stay positive everyone!! ~xo. <3