If you’re anything like me, you’re anxious half the time and depressed another quarter, and somehow you’re maintaining some level of productivity through it all. That’s no way to be, though, is it? We want to be happy and at peace. But that can be hard to achieve in our 21st century lives, with all the hustle and hurry and the many little things that stress us out.
Luckily, there are just as many little things we can do to turn it around.
Try (different) journaling
I know, I know. Cliche! Boring! Doesn’t work! But hear me out. You don’t have to journal with a specific purpose. Gratitude logs, mindfulness journals, daily diaries, personal growth journals, all those therapeutic recommendations – they’re nice, and they do wonders for some people, but sometimes you just don’t vibe with them. And that’s okay.
Why not try something a little more chaotic: junk journaling, scrapbooking, braindump pages? Maybe a bullet journal instead of a rigid traditional planner? Who knows, you might discover a new hobby, or find it easier to fall asleep. And if you look back at some point and actually get some insights into your journey, all the better.
Get into gardening
If you’ve ever watched a plant grow, you know where I’m coming from. If you haven’t, well, it’s time to pick it up! You don’t need a whole backyard for it; you can cultivate a nice little green corner even in a tiny studio apartment. Actually, apartment gardening saved my sanity in college. I never really learned to meditate (no way could I sit still for that long and think nothing), so gardening became my zen session after a long week. I did the whole container schtick: milk gallons, yogurt cups, random boxes. I grew violets, carrots, and garlic. I tried tomatoes. They failed spectacularly but my mint thrived.
If you have a black thumb, succulents, air plants, and bamboo are all super low-maintenance. You can even have a moss garden! They’re compact, adorable, self-sustaining, and a joy all around.
Visit the great outdoors
Spending some time in nature, alone or with friends, is like hitting the restart button for your system. It’s your chance to unplug from the bustling modern world and reconnect with what matters most – yourself and the world around you. It doesn’t even have to be a full-on vacation: just a weekend trip or a hangout session in a local park can do wonders.
If you’re stuck in the city, go for a park picnic or visit a botanical garden. If you can afford to get away, gather some buddies, grab your folding pocket knives, portable stoves, and a tent, and go camping or fishing. Doesn’t even matter if you’re any good at it; just go breathe some different air for a while.
Chill out with some tea
Tea, oh glorious tea! It’s not just a drink; it’s a ritual. Brewing a cup of your favorite blend and slowly sipping from a pretty or silly mug that you love can be a profoundly grounding act. And don’t worry – the tea ritual doesn’t demand that you sacrifice your coffee habit! I myself am a coffee possum in the morning (gotta get that system boot juice) and a tea mouse before bed.
Over time, it becomes an easy, healthy habit that benefits your body and mind, and it stacks with whatever other wellness practice you choose. Just make sure to pick an herbal or floral tea to avoid that caffeine jolt before bedtime.
Stare at your sky sometimes
Nothing shifts our perspective on our lives like comparing them to something huge and primordial, like the sky or the ocean. You might not have ready access to the seaside, but the sky is always there for all of us. If you’re a fan of the constellations, go skygazing at night. Get away from city lights as much as you can, and literally stare into space. You’re a little critter on a smallish rock hurtling through a glittery vacuum.
If you don’t care for that picture, try a daylight version. Again, find a peaceful place somewhere and look up. Find shapes in the clouds just like when you were little. If you can spare a few hours, notice how the shade of blue changes with the passage of time. That same sky stretches over your boss, your faraway Internet friends, and the random stranger who was nice last week. Stopping to remember that every once in a while is an amazing anti-overwhelm pill, and can really change your outlook on your everyday worries.
“Making a difference” can be a pretty nebulous, intimidating concept, even if it’s just about our own lives. But you know what? It really is as simple as embracing the little things. It can be this list or a compilation of your own: yoga, petting a dog, reading a book, calling a friend every Friday… There are tons of choices out there. Tailor your little things to your personality and lifestyle. The point at the end of the day is to choose yourself and your happiness first.
Photo by Vlad Vasnetsov on Pexels
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