SELF LOVE AND SELF CARE ARE THE ANSWER.

When we are feeling at our absolute worst and we feel lost and abanded, it is then that we must take charge and practice Self love and care for ourselves as our first priority ❤.

By self love, I do not mean vanity, i literally mean treating ourselves with a little tender, loving care, as it is at those times that we really deserve it.. As I mentioned in a previous post, be kind to yourself and make doing things that help with your self worth and self esteem your priority at that time. Caring for yourself and giving yourself a little TLC can make even the most challenging times a little easier to bear.

If you have good, supportive friends, you can always offload to them. A truly good friend is there for you at all times, and talking to them can mean your burden is lessened. Don’t isolate yourself at that time, as being alone and not talking can make you feel even worse. Walk your dog, go for a coffee at your favoutite Cafe. It doesn’t matter what it is, just something small, that floats your particular boat will help. It doesn’t have to cost anything. Walking your dog on a 🌞 sunny day is free and helps to produce feel good endorphins and also makes your dog happy. And believe me, I know for a fact how having a happy dog, that expresses their happiness to their owner, can make you feel so much better and happier beyond compare. They truly are little antidepressants and work better than any pill.

If your immediate environment is depressing, add a little beauty to it. Surround yourself with some things that are of beauty to you, and having them nearby can help to make you feel a little better. It doesn’t matter if you don’t have a lot of money as beautiful things can be found at secondhsnd charity shops and discount stores, such as your local discount Asian shops. Even just exploring such shops, looking for little treasures can distract you for the present time and can make you feel a little more bright and positive. I personally love, soaps, candles scarves and aet supplies as things to look at that bring me pleasure.

Art therapy and being creative exercises the part of the brain that produces our happy endorphins. However you like to be creative is up to you. When I am at my darkest, creative outlets become important to me. I have pastels, watercolours and the like on hand at home and occasionally dabble in this. I like to give what I create to those I love.

Starting this blog, has given me such, pleasure and is my favourite form of positive self expression. If my words have a positive impact on my readers, then my work here is done. It was my psychiatrists suggestion, that I start to write a blog, and it is a damn fine suggestion. I have always been a writer, a counsellor and motivator and I get to be all three of these as a blog writer. Somedays are more challenging 🙏 than others, but once I feel inspired the words just flow from me. Writing my blog helps my self worth and self esteem and is my particular brand of self expression.

All the hints I have written about in this blog, I actively include in my life, so I know what works. Try and find what works for you.

Oh I forgot to mention a little bit of chocolate occasionally also helps you to feel a little better, it too can be an antidepressant.

Ps If you want to look at some beautiful creative things, check out Sharondelier on the internet. It is the business that Neil Finn’s wife Sharon has started and looking at her beautiful work can make you feel better and hopefully inspired to find your own creative outlet.