Adding Joy To Your House

[Upside Down Eagle]

So, these past few days it has been incredibly gloomy outside (rain, rain, rain, more rain...). I started to feel increasingly gloomy myself as well. Uh oh... bad!!

I decided this winter I am not in for another depression. Or at least, if I get depressive, I will soften the blow as much as possible. By adding joyful and happy things to my house. Things that make me calm, and Zen.

However I've never really done that before and am now wondering what to do exactly. I added yellow candles, wax lights, sunflowers, and painted the wall in beach sand color. I went past the store and got palo santo (a type of wood that when burned smells fantastic).

But it still isn't cheerful enough and I can't think of anything else, haha. Will you help me out? :)

You can join me as well... ;)
Let's surround ourselves with some light and good vibes.

 

[Papa369]

They say music will bring joy too your heart. Can't hurt to try.

 

[KwanYingirl]

Do you have an iPod you can make a rainy day playlist of upbeat songs and have that as background sound. Also, and I know it has risks, but going tanning in bleak weather lifts my spirits. I go twice a week until I feel better.

 

[Springer80]

You can get these CD's that make your TV look like a real fire!!! If you don't already have one that is. They are a bit cheesy but if you get them with sound too, so it's crackles that would be cool. And with your palo santo, the illusion is complete!

 

[Springer80]

I'm feeling scared of winter too this year and I've never felt like it before.

 

[risingsun]

I will soften the blow as much as possible. By adding joyful and happy things to my house. Things that make me calm, and Zen.

I think what you are doing is proactive and wonderful! I think that burning candles throughout the house is calming. We do that. We save the small jars from other candles and put tea lights in them. Everywhere. They are great. So throughout the day, you can have the warmth of light all around you in various rooms of the house. Just make sure they are not near curtains or whatnot if you put them in rooms where you are not constantly in, etc. And blow them out at night to save on candles since the tea lights are so little. Invest in a long candle lighter too. :) Best of Luck to You! Warmest, Rising Sun

 

[Chava]

Sounds lovely! That last winter nearly ripped me to shreds. Personally, I need bright colors and artwork. But light colors, soothing colors, all better than the endless gray-white of long winters. Other ideas: music, house plants, a new hobby and special small space for it (writing, artwork, yoga, etc), a project or two that can absorb hours of my attention, warm lighting but also a "happy lamp" to read by in the morning for about 15 minutes. Options for indoor movement, like yoga DVDs, a step machine. Hulu subscription and plenty of comedy.

 

[Springer80]

For music may I suggest a recent find....Estas Tonne. A wonderful guitarist, that does really long compositions. It's sort of Spanish/Classical guitar.

 

[Springer80]

What about fun woolly stuff. Jumpers, hats, scarves, booties, slippers. You get the idea. WOOLLY STUFF!!! :cp:

 

[Springer80]

Just make sure they are not near curtains or whatnot if you put them in rooms where you are not constantly in, etc.

I save jam jars from the recycling and use them as tea light holders! Safety issues avoided and cheap too! Tah Dah. :playful:

 

[Springer80]

and Hot Chocolate but special ones. You can add cinnamon or nutmeg. And it's always nicer is a glass rather than a mug.

 

[ghotiff]

I remember reading once that winter blues are linked to the loss of a certain wavelength of light which standard house lights don't provide, but there are special lights/bulbs designed to provide that wavelength. Maybe that will help lift the mood in your house?