When you're down, what do you do to pick yourself up?

Scrappy L'il Southpaw · 10-04-2011, 02:01 PM

"When you're down and out, feeling small"

Enough song quoting... I can do that all day!

When you're feeling low or blue or in a funk or sad...whatever, not quite yourself, what do you do to pick yourself up?

It doesn't have to be huge. Sometimes it may redirect you for only a little while but it helps you to not continue to revolve in the doldrums.

For myself, today I popped in Disney's version of Rodger's and Hammerstein's Cinderella and I played "The Sweetest Sounds" repeatedly until I decided it was enough. I love that song and it had been on my mind. The entire movie makes me smile.

Gráinne · 10-04-2011, 02:05 PM

I force myself into the shower, and then throw myself out of the house to go to the grocery, for example. Cleaning also helps. Sometimes watching a funny DVD, or listening to pick-me-up music.

Guy · 10-04-2011, 02:08 PM

I usually go shopping for new clothes.

It makes me feel good when I look good.

Apocalipstic · 10-04-2011, 02:08 PM

I pray

Watch Rocky Horror

Call a friend

Go for a walk

Drive with my sun roof open and Paradise City playing really loud

Go to accupuncture

Get a mani/pedi

Read something uplifting

And yes, listen to Disney Music like Bed Knobs and Brooksticks, Mary Poppins or Aristocats

Great thread idea, can't wait to see what suggestions appear.

Liam · 10-04-2011, 02:09 PM

I go outdoors. I feel the sun on my back, or the wind on my cheek. I watch the clouds or the trees or the birds. Basically, I get out of my head.

LaneyDoll · 10-04-2011, 02:14 PM

I have a few feel good songs that make me happy just in listening to them.

I play with make-up.

I plan my next event at the club-details keep me entertained.

I text/call my best butch friend.

I take a short walk---or a long bath.

AtLast · 10-04-2011, 02:17 PM

Have to agree with Liam, just getting out in the air usually gives me a lift. A walk with my pooch usually helps a lot. I start getting silly and focused on him and his cuteness and stress begins to decline.

When my spa was working, that was a way for me to kick back, relax and allow my muscles to let go. That helped, too.

Tawse · 10-04-2011, 02:22 PM

I think complete and total distraction is the name of the game for me.

Having an involved conversation with someone (not just the uh huh and ok type conversation) this is even more effective if it involves leaving the house - even though I hate doing such.

Playing a MMORPG - (I can't help it, I can't think about more than the game with 12 billion things going on at once)

Reading a very interesting and high tempo book

Adjusting my meds

Doing some projects around the house

treadmill! (with music blasting)

and last but not least - making sure I am not avoiding an issue. Face it, acknowledge it, grieve it if need be, then start the process of moving on.

Amber2010 · 10-04-2011, 02:22 PM

I call a close friend or start texting her .. That almost always works she can get me laughing just by a few lines. "smiles"

princessbelle · 10-04-2011, 02:29 PM

For so many, MANY years when i was married to a bio man i was so lost, went through such depression and felt there was no escape.

This song honestly saved my life, more times than i can count. I used to sing it in the shower and cry and cry. I would come out of my shower feeling strong again.

Sometimes there is a song, a movie, a certain friend that can help pull you out of dark times.

Hold on for one more day and things will go your way...that is how i deal with the down times.

1QuirkyKiwi · 10-04-2011, 02:51 PM

If a good cry is needed, I sit and have a good one. I do Yoga, go for a walk, dance to music - even when I'm on crutches, I'll do a Waltz or Foxtrot. For me, it's about releasing the energy making me feel down or irritated - if that makes sense?

Novelafemme · 10-04-2011, 03:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Guy

I usually go shopping for new clothes.

It makes me feel good when I look good.

Gotta love retail therapy

Scrappy L'il Southpaw · 10-04-2011, 03:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by princessbelle

For so many, MANY years when i was married to a bio man i was so lost, went through such depression and felt there was no escape.

This song honestly saved my life, more times than i can count. I used to sing it in the shower and cry and cry. I would come out of my shower feeling strong again.

Sometimes there is a song, a movie, a certain friend that can help pull you out of dark times.

Hold on for one more day and things will go your way...that is how i deal with the down times.

That is a great song! I'm so glad you said "dark times." That encompasses so much and some people just don't get that it can be so much more than being sad and crying all the time.

During a similar time for me, my song was Destiny Child's Survivor. (grammar aside, you have to make it work with the music sometimes).

I'm a Survivor. I'm not gon' give up. I'm not gon' stop. I will work harder.
I'm a Survivor. I'm gonna make it. I will survive. Keep on survivin'.

Positive music or very expressive music is always very helpful.

When I'm emotional, I like the music LOUD!!!! If I'm pissed (at self or others) and trying to shake it and calm myself, LOUD music in the car is the best! Something with either a lot of guitar or a lot of bass or excellent harmonies so I can sing along. Whatever it is, it has to be passionate! Bryan Adams is good for harmonies and guitar.

I used to clear the furniture from the floor and dance. Usually something slow and expressive like Sarah McLachlan's Angel. I haven't done that in YEARS. I have the space for it now so I can take it back up.

Singing is also very therapeutic for me especially if I can get something new and challenging and conquer it. I can blow off steam AND add a new song to my repertoire.

Scrappy L'il Southpaw · 10-04-2011, 03:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Liam

I go outdoors. I feel the sun on my back, or the wind on my cheek. I watch the clouds or the trees or the birds. Basically, I get out of my head.

Liam - the sun always feels great on my skin. If I had a place to sunbathe in the nude I would no matter what my mood!

Novelafemme · 10-04-2011, 03:09 PM

It sounds completely OCD, and I'm sure it could be classified as such...but when I'm down sometimes I will feel almost instantly better when I clean. I totally get into my head and get lost in a zone that helps me sort through what's at the root of my sadness. The same thing goes for working outside in the yard. I can have little conversations in my brain and simultaneously work stuff through that can get stuck on a cellular level. Generally though, a good talk with my partner, some snuggle time with her and my girls, sometimes a good cry...and I'm all set!

And if all else fails, I have a heart to heart with my mom. She wasn't always the best mom but now that she's gone she's a fantastic listener!

RiverBoi · 10-04-2011, 03:20 PM

I go fishing

then hopefully have a cold beer while I clean said fish that I caught. By the time I clean up the mess, I am usually over whatever had me down.

River

dixie · 10-04-2011, 03:29 PM

I listen to speed metal...lol

Normally, I will stick my headphones on, grab my camera and tripod, and head out on a hike. The music plus the beauty of nature can really put things in perspective for me and cheer me up.

Glenn · 10-04-2011, 05:34 PM

I bought fifteen Hershey's Symphony bars yesterday at the drugstore and shot up right in the parking lot.

tapu · 10-04-2011, 05:48 PM

I like to hide things around the house that I know people will need to look for, and then when they start looking I say, "I'll help!", and then I find it almost immediately. It makes me feel good to have helped them out that way, you know?

Gemme · 10-04-2011, 09:12 PM

Music has a huge influence on me. I will listen to it and either play online or watch something that is super fluffy, so I don't have to think. Thinking is where most of my stress comes from. The last thing I need is to do something that will make me more stressful or sad.

10-04-2011, 02:01 PM	#1
Scrappy L'il Southpaw Junior Member How Do You Identify?: Woman Full of Surprises Preferred Pronoun?: She Relationship Status: Unchallenged Bedhog Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Georgia Posts: 65 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 88 Thanked 190 Times in 48 Posts Rep Power: 1291972	When you're down, what do you do to pick yourself up? "When you're down and out, feeling small" Enough song quoting... I can do that all day! When you're feeling low or blue or in a funk or sad...whatever, not quite yourself, what do you do to pick yourself up? It doesn't have to be huge. Sometimes it may redirect you for only a little while but it helps you to not continue to revolve in the doldrums. For myself, today I popped in Disney's version of Rodger's and Hammerstein's Cinderella and I played "The Sweetest Sounds" repeatedly until I decided it was enough. I love that song and it had been on my mind. The entire movie makes me smile.

10-04-2011, 02:05 PM	#2
Gráinne Senior Member How Do You Identify?: Neither, nada, out of the box Preferred Pronoun?: My name always works Relationship Status: Happy whatever happens Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Little Rock Posts: 1,864 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 2,118 Thanked 7,386 Times in 1,457 Posts Rep Power: 21474852	I force myself into the shower, and then throw myself out of the house to go to the grocery, for example. Cleaning also helps. Sometimes watching a funny DVD, or listening to pick-me-up music. __________________ The odds of going to the store for a loaf of bread and coming out with only a loaf of bread are three billion to one. ~Erma Bombeck

10-04-2011, 02:08 PM	#4
Apocalipstic Pink Confection How Do You Identify?: Femme Preferred Pronoun?: She, Her, Ma'am Relationship Status: Dating Myself Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Nashville Posts: 4,266 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 17,195 Thanked 11,362 Times in 2,838 Posts Rep Power: 21474856	I pray Watch Rocky Horror Call a friend Go for a walk Drive with my sun roof open and Paradise City playing really loud Go to accupuncture Get a mani/pedi Read something uplifting And yes, listen to Disney Music like Bed Knobs and Brooksticks, Mary Poppins or Aristocats Great thread idea, can't wait to see what suggestions appear. __________________

10-04-2011, 02:09 PM	#5
Liam Senior Member How Do You Identify?: Guy Preferred Pronoun?: He, Him, His Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: The Evergreen State Posts: 2,269 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 14,865 Thanked 6,875 Times in 1,861 Posts Rep Power: 21474854	I go outdoors. I feel the sun on my back, or the wind on my cheek. I watch the clouds or the trees or the birds. Basically, I get out of my head. __________________ <3 Love is weird.

10-04-2011, 02:14 PM	#6
LaneyDoll Senior Member How Do You Identify?: Girly girl femme Preferred Pronoun?: She; Ma'am; Miss ;) Relationship Status: Pitbull protected. Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Birmingham, AL Posts: 2,204 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 6,892 Thanked 7,683 Times in 1,607 Posts Rep Power: 21474853	I have a few feel good songs that make me happy just in listening to them. I play with make-up. I plan my next event at the club-details keep me entertained. I text/call my best butch friend. I take a short walk---or a long bath. __________________ There are beauties who stop traffic and then there are beauties who grow obsessively in the hearts of the susceptible.

10-04-2011, 02:08 PM	#3
Guy Senior Member How Do You Identify?: . Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: . Posts: 1,858 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 2,258 Thanked 2,574 Times in 889 Posts Rep Power: 21474853	I usually go shopping for new clothes. It makes me feel good when I look good.

10-04-2011, 02:17 PM	#7
AtLast Infamous Member How Do You Identify?: Woman Preferred Pronoun?: HER - SHE Relationship Status: Relating Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: CA & AZ I'm a Snowbird Posts: 5,408 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 11,826 Thanked 10,827 Times in 3,199 Posts Rep Power: 21474857	Have to agree with Liam, just getting out in the air usually gives me a lift. A walk with my pooch usually helps a lot. I start getting silly and focused on him and his cuteness and stress begins to decline. When my spa was working, that was a way for me to kick back, relax and allow my muscles to let go. That helped, too.

10-04-2011, 02:22 PM	#8
Tawse Member How Do You Identify?: TG Gender Queer Preferred Pronoun?: He Relationship Status: Married Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Atlanta Posts: 730 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 2,973 Thanked 2,733 Times in 642 Posts Rep Power: 21474851	I think complete and total distraction is the name of the game for me. Having an involved conversation with someone (not just the uh huh and ok type conversation) this is even more effective if it involves leaving the house - even though I hate doing such. Playing a MMORPG - (I can't help it, I can't think about more than the game with 12 billion things going on at once) Reading a very interesting and high tempo book Adjusting my meds Doing some projects around the house treadmill! (with music blasting) and last but not least - making sure I am not avoiding an issue. Face it, acknowledge it, grieve it if need be, then start the process of moving on.

10-04-2011, 02:22 PM	#9
Amber2010 Member How Do You Identify?: Happy, Crazy, Bubbly, Funny, Strong, Outgoing, Friendly Preferred Pronoun?: Femme Relationship Status: Complicated Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Florida Posts: 200 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 920 Thanked 594 Times in 154 Posts Rep Power: 3787185	I call a close friend or start texting her .. That almost always works she can get me laughing just by a few lines. "smiles"

10-04-2011, 02:29 PM	#10
princessbelle Infamous Member How Do You Identify?: femme Preferred Pronoun?: femme ones Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Tennessee Posts: 6,100 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 29,380 Thanked 30,496 Times in 5,198 Posts Rep Power: 21474858	For so many, MANY years when i was married to a bio man i was so lost, went through such depression and felt there was no escape. This song honestly saved my life, more times than i can count. I used to sing it in the shower and cry and cry. I would come out of my shower feeling strong again. Sometimes there is a song, a movie, a certain friend that can help pull you out of dark times. Hold on for one more day and things will go your way...that is how i deal with the down times. __________________ ~ I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel. ~ Maya Angelou

10-04-2011, 02:51 PM	#11
1QuirkyKiwi Senior Member How Do You Identify?: BBW. Unique femininity that does not encompass the western paradigm. Preferred Pronoun?: Anything Respectful! Relationship Status: Single, Happy, not Desparate or Looking, but Open to Possibilities... Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Europe and Aotearoa on a 5:2 ratio. Posts: 2,308 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 11,003 Thanked 6,035 Times in 1,617 Posts Rep Power: 21474853	If a good cry is needed, I sit and have a good one. I do Yoga, go for a walk, dance to music - even when I'm on crutches, I'll do a Waltz or Foxtrot. For me, it's about releasing the energy making me feel down or irritated - if that makes sense? __________________ What will make the difference to me is your strength of character and what's in your heart...

10-04-2011, 03:09 PM	#15
Novelafemme Timed Out - TOS Drama How Do You Identify?: ........ Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: ........ Posts: 2,402 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 4,981 Thanked 8,925 Times in 1,834 Posts Rep Power: 0	It sounds completely OCD, and I'm sure it could be classified as such...but when I'm down sometimes I will feel almost instantly better when I clean. I totally get into my head and get lost in a zone that helps me sort through what's at the root of my sadness. The same thing goes for working outside in the yard. I can have little conversations in my brain and simultaneously work stuff through that can get stuck on a cellular level. Generally though, a good talk with my partner, some snuggle time with her and my girls, sometimes a good cry...and I'm all set! And if all else fails, I have a heart to heart with my mom. She wasn't always the best mom but now that she's gone she's a fantastic listener!

10-04-2011, 03:20 PM	#16
RiverBoi Timed Out How Do You Identify?: Butch Preferred Pronoun?: Brother Puddin' Relationship Status: Single Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: North Little Rock,Arkansas Posts: 149 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 273 Thanked 262 Times in 77 Posts Rep Power: 0	I go fishing then hopefully have a cold beer while I clean said fish that I caught. By the time I clean up the mess, I am usually over whatever had me down. River

10-04-2011, 03:29 PM	#17
dixie Infamous Member How Do You Identify?: I usually just poke it with a stick. Preferred Pronoun?: Bitch Relationship Status: Intertwined deeply Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: We're all a little mad here. Posts: 6,627 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 10,972 Thanked 21,383 Times in 4,808 Posts Rep Power: 21474858	I listen to speed metal...lol Normally, I will stick my headphones on, grab my camera and tripod, and head out on a hike. The music plus the beauty of nature can really put things in perspective for me and cheer me up.

10-04-2011, 05:34 PM	#18
Glenn Senior Member How Do You Identify?: Ol butch bones. Preferred Pronoun?: Old thing Relationship Status: Too old to play. Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: :rolleyes: Posts: 1,547 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 3,602 Thanked 3,729 Times in 1,095 Posts Rep Power: 21474853	I bought fifteen Hershey's Symphony bars yesterday at the drugstore and shot up right in the parking lot.

10-04-2011, 05:48 PM	#19
tapu Senior Member How Do You Identify?: Understated butch. Preferred Pronoun?: I Relationship Status: Party of One Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Maine Posts: 1,654 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 1,324 Thanked 3,115 Times in 1,103 Posts Rep Power: 21474852	I like to hide things around the house that I know people will need to look for, and then when they start looking I say, "I'll help!", and then I find it almost immediately. It makes me feel good to have helped them out that way, you know? __________________ Really? That's not funny to you?

10-04-2011, 09:12 PM	#20
Gemme Practically Lives Here How Do You Identify?: Queer Stone Femme Girl of the Unicorn Variety Preferred Pronoun?: She, as in 'She's a GEM' Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: The roads are narrow here Posts: 36,631 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 182,498 Thanked 107,925 Times in 25,666 Posts Rep Power: 21474887	Music has a huge influence on me. I will listen to it and either play online or watch something that is super fluffy, so I don't have to think. Thinking is where most of my stress comes from. The last thing I need is to do something that will make me more stressful or sad. __________________ Gemme's Journal I'm misunderestimated.