Not another New Year's Resolution

Remember me telling you I spent years in the bar and restaurant industry?  Decades actually.  For those of you that don't already know it.

New Year's Eve is a joke

A cash grab of high expectations, over marketing, over pricing, incredible inconvenience and undue pressure on any and all involved.  Trust me, I was one of the ones that built the parties and created the hype that made you think you needed a new dress, hair done, a date AND a two or three hundred dollar ticket to ring in the new year.

And then! Everyone makes resolutions that considering the time of year and the last two weeks of indulgence makes them very hard to keep. The concept is not built to be effective and often results in feelings of failure when one doesn't succeed. All things that do not make NYE a friend to those with Seasonal Affective Disorder.

Ugh, this wasn't meant to be a rant about New Years. 

This was meant to be 'If you INSIST on making a resolution, make this one' speech. 

Start a gratitude journal.
Start today.

Keep it by your bed or by the coffee maker or in the bathroom.
Just start one and write in it.
Do it, because I said so.

Wanna know why?

Because I think it's the best psychological  tool I have in my SAD sack. Swear.
I started mine a couple summers ago, (I know, that's not new years, sue me) when there was no sight of Seasonal Affective Disorder and the glass is always half full.  Gratitude could flow from me and it's easy to appreciate my charmed life.

The best part of my gratitude journal is reading it when I'm in a SAD funk. When I hate my life and the world I live in and wish that I don't wake up in the morning (I'm not exaggerating, there really are days like this)
The journal reminds me of the 'other' me. The real me. It is the light at the end of the tunnel (and it's not the proverbial train)  In I was reading it this morning, and found an entry from last February.

"I am grateful that I took the time in days past to make all these observances of a wonderful world. The me of today thanks the me of yesterday very, very much"  Pretty sweet eh?

That's it. A little book, with all your happy thoughts.
Not another resolution - a way of life. (no pun intended, but I'll take it)

All the best to you and yours in 2012

Practice what you preach

While yammering on the phone with my Bestie yesterday...hmm let me rephrase that.
While on the phone with my Bestie yesterday and bitching about this, that and everything else.
Two things happened.
1) I realized I was well into a downward spiral
and
2) It appears I am very funny while in that (this) place, as she puts it "you should have your own radio show when you're moodin' like this."

Awesome. *shaking head*
The phrase "can't win for loosin" screams across my thoughts.

I haven't worked out over a week.

8 days actually. 

8 fucking days. 

I'm an idiot. 

I know, I know.  I talk a good game, but the fucking holidays and traveling, and house guests and and and excuse excuse excuse.

Then it snowed and dropped to -16C  UGH

The glass is half empty, everyone is either stupid or an asshole or a stupid asshole, nothing is reasonable and my poor Dood just doesn't know what to do.   I'm days away from a crash and burn, self medicating mess on the couch. (and NO I am NOT p.m.s.ing)

*shaking head*  8 fucking days - I really am an idiot sometimes. *exhale*

The good news is, that even after my fair share of last nights bottle of wine, there was 50 minutes of cardio this morning and if I get another 45-50 in later today, maybe I can nip this in the bud. 

And if I can't, anyone know how to get into radio?

Forget the Sappy Chick Flick

Chick flicks breed depression.

It's true.

I said so. 

Miserable ugh-i-hate-my-life-when-is-something-good-going-to-happen-to-me kind of depression. And if you think  relaxing with a glass of wine, watching a sappy movie is 'comforting' think again. Double whammy depression between movie and wine...in fact don't be surprised if you finish the bottle and cry yourself to sleep.

I avoid 'romantic comedies' as I would a close-talker with bad breath.

Surfer movies is where it's at 

(and/or movies filmed in Hawaii, or tropics or heck anywhere where it's green,blue & warm)

It's true.

I said so.

Trade in that unattainable plot of sappy chick flick for a 'you can do it, look how awesome nature is, lookit those negative ions, all that sun, sand and blue sky movie.
Sounds much better already doesn't it?

I figure (read: logically deduce) that there is something going on with the visuals that trigger some sort of happiness hormone(?) in my noggin'. Or, perhaps, just the visual reminder that there is sunshine in the world, it's just not 'here'. I'm pretty sure that the plot has little to do with it as I find I'm watching the scenery as opposed to actually getting into the movie.
I know - this provides the room for argument that a chick flick set in hawaii will work mood magic...but...I highly doubt it. I won't be the one to do the experiment. Feel free and let me know how it goes.

I have a small library of go-to movies that fit the feel-better need.  I invite you, fellow SAD sufferer (SADufer?) to  try one or two on for size.  At the very least, you will discover great places to vacation.

Try and tell me you don't feel better after watching this!  

More -

Blue Crush (1&2)
Flow - The Story of a Surfing Revolution
Five Summer Stories
and of course Endless Summer

others with great tropic scenery..
(i know, some edge on chick flick, but I argue a predominate male lead, negates the chickness)

50 First Dates
Tropic Thunder
Forgetting Sarah Marshall 
The Beach 
Finding Nemo


Embrace your inner surfer - Find a surf movie or two for you

Hang Loose I say. Hang Loose