How do you give yourself a little boost when you’re having an off day?
Sharing a couple of completely random things that have cleared the clouds for me in recent weeks:
+Offered to bring coffee to a mom friend with a new baby at home. It warmed me to bring cheer to someone else, and it helped me get out of my own head a little bit, too.
+Put on a soothing movie (a “You’ve Got Mail” encore!) while sorting through clothes to make piles to donate vs. keep. It was just the kind of vapid, diverting undertaking I needed for a down day. It didn’t require brain power, it wasn’t urgent, but I felt accomplished at the end of it — and there’s just something about clearing space in my home that feels cleansing.
+Found tiny solutions to tiny problems. One of my favorite New Year’s rituals is inventorying my day in order to identify petty frustrations and create solutions for them. These can be as narrow as “I always wake up thirsty and need to get out of bed to refill my water” — the solution being: fill a carafe for your bedside table right before bed! It is shockingly helpful to catalog and address the mosquito-bite-level disturbances in life, as we in turn make mental/emotional space for more important things. Recently, I tackled two terribly petty annoyances: 1) The cord I use to recharge my wireless computer trackpad doesn’t reach far enough, so when the trackpad is recharging, I have to use it while it’s on the very edge of my desk, which is ungainly and inconvenient. I realized (hello…?) I could just plug the charger directly into my computer…I’ve literally spent years of my worklife annoyed at this! 2) I ordered extra laundry baskets and an extra bin for “donation clothes” for my laundry room. I’m forever one laundry basket short. Why I never thought to just add more…? And! I am frequently clearing out my kids’ closets, my closet, etc, and then keeping a makeshift pile of donations on the floor of my laundry room. It is such an eyesore. I finally ordered a slim laundry hamper to stow the donations. Once filled, I’ll drop it off!
+Desk candy. (The good kind. This is actually one of my favorite “just because” gifts to send a girlfriend having a tough week!)
+A fresh bouquet of pens. I recently ordered a throwback pack of Gelly Roll pens with the loose plan of using them with my daughter (which we did — my son was at tennis and she and I sat together and drew with them on her notepad) but have lowkey (highkey) been enjoying them myself. Writing down a new appointment feels 10-30% better when noted in bubblegum pink gel!
+Downloaded a whole bunch of Kindle Unlimited romances to my Kindle. It felt like I was taking care of my future self! And what a delight, to open up the Kindle and have a fleet of vetted options waiting. I also vetted and bookmarked Peloton rides and strength sessions in the same sitting — this was a rec from a Magpie reader and is so helpful on so many levels. It means I’m not scrambling to find a suitable ride when I’m already ready to exercise, and it also feels relaxing to flip through the playlists, instructors, etc and find what my future self might enjoy.
+Made weekend plans with friends — something to look forward to.
+Organized my desk drawer. I’m realizing as I tap these out that maybe when I’m in a stormy mood, it’s medicinal for me to “get something done.” It doesn’t have to be a major project or undertaking, but funneling my energy into something small that can be completed in one sitting feels restorative.
+Ordered a dog bed for the dog we are planning to bring home at some point this fall. We’re in the seeking phase! I know this is a little cart-before-the-horse but the idea that a small, furry little body will soon be sleeping in it sent me the wildest rush of happiness. (And, of course, everyone knows that petting a dog is the quickest way out of a bad mood, so the dog is basically a guaranteed mood booster. My little umbrella for a rainy day.)
+Made muffins in those fancy bakery-style liners. It filled the house with the aromas of butter and cinnamon, and my kids were delighted.
+Worked on a puzzle with my son. I love the quasi-social nature of this undertaking — my son and I looping into and out of occasional conversation — and the way it invites you to sort of clip into “b-roll” mode, like you’re just in the background, futzing around harmlessly. Definitely a welcome gear shift.
What else helps?
(These are, of course, in addition to the obvious implorations to get outside, to go to bed early, to move my body.)
Post-Scripts.
+Small ways to romanticize your life.
+Our Friday night rituals/plans.
+An accounting (what I’m made of).
Shopping Break.
+Another cool alt to the Donni pants — $200 and in such a fun green gingham! (Along with other great prints).
+Cheerful peony pink cardi to layer over everything! Pink looks fab with navy, army green, red, chartreuse…!
+I know a bunch of you have ordered the Ulla Camera bag over the past two years (I own one in a kiwi green color!), and I just found a couple on sale in great colors here and here.
+Also love this variation in the suede pink (25% off!) Such a fun and fabulous statement.
+Today is the final day of the Tuckernuck sale! 20% off with code FAMILY. This would be a fun fall statement, tucked into dark rinse denim (<<25% off!), and I also love this tiger’s eye necklace and these tassel earrings!
+Varley makes the best everyday/athleisure/casual jackets. I get so much wear out of this rain jacket (especially in this rainy / early fall moment), and I love their fleeces — they always do the best colors! And how cute is this quilted jacket? You can remove the collar. Love the way it cinches in at the waist.
+This slightly boxier oversized quilted style would also be fabulous for right now. Use code SHOOP20 for a discount.
+Pretty chocolate brown top to wear with jeans into fall.
+Get a surprising amount of wear out of this little Hart bauble! Fun to layer with other pieces. Use code JEN10.
+Freda just launched its friends + family sale! 20% off THE best fall boots. They are rain-resistant, super comfortable, and so chic! I also absolutely love their woven jada flats. Pick a fun, unexpected color!
+BonBon just released the CUTEST Halloween boxes of gummy candy! I had to order one for our family!
+Love this slim-fit rolled-edge cashmere sweater in the blue stripe.
+Eyeing this mini vac for my car…
+The iconic 1986 barn jacket, reimagined in contemporary colors and fabrics and embellishments!
+It’s soup season, and we swear by our Staub Dutch oven!!!
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