Curing the January slump

January 22, 2017

This past week I found myself in a kind of slump. A little down, a little tired, a little depressed. Nothing serious. I think I could mostly attribute it to normal post-holiday, gray and rainy January doldrums.

Although I wouldn't qualify it as a real depressive mood, I did think about my post a while back on coping with depression, and thought I'd take some of my own advice.

Distract and divert. 

I gave myself permission to take a little vacay from my normal duties, and spent a couple days just reading some lovely books and perusing beautiful blogs and websites.

It is said that beauty is healing, and I truly believe it. 

I enjoyed visiting a number of beautiful places on the web, gathering inspiration. So many, many lovely pictures on Pinterest and Instagram and in blog land. Like my old Victoria magazines, they can lift my spirits with glimpses of beauty.

I did a little retail therapy.

Valentine's Day is coming up, as some of the fashion and style bloggers reminded me. We don't usually go out on Valentine's Day because it is so overcrowded and overpriced, but maybe I'll just dress up for a special dinner at home. Or we'll go out another night.

http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/topshop-dolman-sleeve-wrap-dress/4569594?cm_mmc=email_tran-_-012017-_-order_confirm-_-proddescr1
 I can't help it. I love pink and girly things. Last summer I actually bought myself a pink tulle skirt. I loved it, and had great fun twirling around in it in my foyer. Sadly, I sent it back, feeling I probably would have felt ridiculous in it out in public. But you know, I should have kept it just to wear for myself because it made me so happy.

But I did find this skirt last week, which may be a little more age appropriate.

http://www.chichiclothing.com/products/Chi-Chi-Jazmyn-Skirt.html
I can see myself wearing this with a striped or graphic tee with ankle boots, or with a cropped sweater and pretty heels, as in this picture (except I will cover my midriff!).

Speaking of pink, I found these glasses at Target. I don't think I've blogged about these, just posted them on Instagram. They were in the dollar section ($3 each). I expected them to be plastic but they are real glass. I went to four Targets buying up all they had. I've been drinking my water from them every day since. I've discovered the secret to staying hydrated -- drink out of a pretty, fun glass.


Maybe it's just all the pink that lifted my mood!

I got a comment a few weeks ago from a new blog follower who read my "About Me" section on my blog. I wrote that more than three years ago, and can't even remember what I wrote, but she said she loved how I said I periodically re-read the Anne of Green Gables books. Oh. Good idea. 

So I've been reading them. Such a lovely escape to a beautiful world.  

My favorite place ever -- in front of the fire with a good book.
{I have also been listening to In the Garden of Beasts for my book club. Good, but not exactly a lovely, escapist read. It's about the U.S. ambassador to Germany and his family in the years leading up to WWII. Scary to see how few people realized how evil Hitler really was. Tom Hanks will star in the movie to be released in March.}

Another thing I remembered this week is that how you dress really affects your mood. One day I was wearing stretchy knit pants and a loose sweater. No makeup, didn't do my hair. Felt kind of frumpy. The next day I did my hair, put on makeup, and put on a cute dress. Wow, what a difference that can make.

 I've not shown any pics of my new kitchen. I'll just show a few of my favorite part . . . 






The pink cups are conveniently located on the bottom shelf for easy access!

I also have a cabinet in the butler's pantry for china. It stores our wedding china and my mother-in-law's stemware, and an ancient tea set brought from Scotland over a hundred years ago. I think I need to find a way to add some more color to this cabinet.




So my advice for the winter doldrums? Figure out what you love, and spend some time with it. Whether it's a good book, binge-watching a series on Netflix, visiting your favorite bloggers . . . take a little time and soak in some beauty.

And thank our good Lord that there's always something beautiful to be found. 

Especially if it's pink.

23 comments

  1. Good advice for spirit lifting actions; I like your collection of tea cups, so pretty. I buy flowers for bouquets, and like you, read upbeat books to counter the other books I read. My heavy heart needs pink!

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  2. Good words of wisdom, Deborah~ I'm all for pink too!
    Your pink tea cups are gorgeous and I too would have them on the lower shelf for easy access.
    Your new kitchen is quite beautiful, oh you must be enjoying it immensely!
    I have to agree with you on how we feel by the way we are dressed. I was just talking with my husband about that today. On the days I go to water aerobics I shower there but do not wash my hair and after two or three days of that I miss my fresh fly away hair. ☺ wearing it pulled back for a while is fine but it gets old.
    Thank you for your inspiring post~

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  3. Oh I have serious kitchen envy, such a lovely space...
    great storage and i think you will be happy cooking here or just brewing, a pot of tea!
    The pink teacups are exquisite.

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  4. Such a beautiful kitchen and all those stunning cups/saucers are a delight. I have been feeling a little dowdy of late and dressed up to pack a few more boxes on Saturday, it really did make a difference a touch of lipstick and a nice top. Take care.

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  5. Isn't it amazing how the simple things give pleasure to our lives? You have some good ideas for lifting the winter doldrums. Your new kitchen is beautiful. I'd love to see more pictures of it.

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  6. Beautiful kitchen, and that pink wrap dress....{sigh}. Love that style but, unfortunately, it's not best for me. I can sure see you in it though! I've been a bit on the 'up' side this January, and I think it's mostly weather-related. We're having a very mild winter so far, and I could get used to this! Btw, your kitchen is so lovely. We are tackling some updates, and I hate to wish my life away, but I do wish the project was in the rear view mirror and not the inevitable 'curves ahead' road.

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  7. Very relatable post, Deborah. My January has also been very contemplative and a bit sad (I think it must have something to do with the holiday letdown and the fact that spring feels very far away). I like your ideas and have to admit when I completed a few organization projects, my spirits were lifted. One day I stayed curled up on the couch and read ALL day: LOVED IT!!!! You shared some good ideas. Be well, and be heartened by knowing your readers so appreciate your advice and words. Rosie @ The Magic Hutch

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  8. this was a delightful post, Deborah! I feel the same way living here in Michigan. The grey skies and rain do nothing for my SAD syndrome. I like to look at Beatrix Potter pictures and books to lift my spirits. I am in the process of re-arranging my master bath, with a new frilly shower curtain and new accesories. Your kitchen is beautiful. My desire is to get my kitchen updated. We live in a 1970's house with the same kind of kitchen. I just cannot afford to tear it apart, though. So I add new tablecloths, mugs, towels, and other things to perk it up! I agree that there is beauty everywhere if you have the right perspective!

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  9. Hi Deborah, what a wonderful pick me up post. Yes, pink really brings some uplift to our cool grey days of winter. Love your kitchen design and your beautiful treasured pieces displayed.
    The target glasses are incredible. I may have to stop over there soon.
    Still away but will try and stop in here and there to visit.
    Wishing you a wonderful week. xoxo

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  10. Oh my, your kitchen is just beautiful! Your lovely teacups and dishes show so well! I have often wondered if I would like glass cabinet doors...I love the look of them but that means I MUST keep them all neat and tidy! Maybe that is what I need, Deborah! :D I enjoyed this post!

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  11. Happy Monday Deborah! I think we all go through a slump in January. I don't get depressed, but do get more tired(probably because I'm not walking as much) and often will fall asleep for a quick cat nap during the day. I love your china, stemware and glasses; your kitchen is wonderful. It's cold and ready to snow here today and I'm longing for nice warm weather.
    Hope you have a great evening,
    Noreen

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  12. That last is good advice. I've avoided facebook since last night (good grief), and I'm feeling some better. I need a few days at home doing only what I love, or a day at the beach, but I have to go to work each afternoon, which really throws a wrench into my peace :) Your new kitchen cabinets are gorgeous! LOVE the glass shelves that let more light into the space. As for more color in that one cabinet, have you thought about painting the back wall of the cabinet? Not anything heavy or dark, but even just a pale pastel would not make it any darker, and would add lovely color. The stemware and the china don't have much of their own.

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  13. Just the thought of you spinning around in your pretty skirt made me grin. (What?! You sent it back?!!!) Today, I bought myself some pink and coral carnations. There were yellow ones; yellow is my favorite color, but the pinks and corals were the ones that came home. Now I need to find something pink to wear.

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  14. Cute skirt! Your new kitchen looks fabulous! Of course, my favourite part is the beautiful china cabinet. LOVE IT! My winter slump usually occurs at the end of the month after my birthday has passed. I have noticed that the days are slowly getting longer. Spring is coming...

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  15. You know, Deborah, I've never read any of the Anne of Green Gables books! I've seen the old version of the movie, though.
    I like your idea of dressing in pink, a favorite color of yours, (too bad that you didn't keep the tulle skirt...fun!) and I so love those drinking glasses from Target.. I can see sipping water from them would be much more enjoyable. Ooh, I loved seeing your pretty glass fronted kitchen cabinets, Deborah! Seeing all your pretty China made my heart go pitter patter. Hope you have a beautiful day! ❤️

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  16. Oh what a lovely post full of delightful pink things! I LOVED seeing all your tea cups and your china cabinets in your kitchen. Your kitchen looks amazing, you must be so thrilled to have it done! Pink always fits the bill for me too, there is something about feeling feminine and beautiful that does help our mindset. We have been enjoying snow today, it is so pretty, I love it. I am not ready for it all to melt, although it has been. Your post was very cheery and upbeat, and I think you took your own advice well :) I am partial to Anne of Green Gables too, love all of LCM's books.

    Hugs to you today!

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  17. My sweet friend, what a beautiful and charming post! You have certainly put a smile on my face and it's just what I needed after two days of not feeling well and feeling rather sad and teary.

    Your splashes of pink are simply perfect and oh, your kitchen looks divine! Be still my heart....your tea cups! LOVE!

    Thank you for sharing your sweetness and beauty with us. You are a gem, my friend. Love and hugs to you!

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  18. How nice the kitchen looks. I have a recipe for you ! I read the other day, on Susan Branch's blog, about Acorn TV. It streams all the best British and overseas movies and series. She said that she loved "A Place Called Home". Well, I checked this out. Acorn is 4.99 per month with a free 7 day trial. I signed up on Amazon. Oh MY I thought I'd just check out one episode from the first year. THREE EPISODES LATER, I concluded this was different than Downton Abbey but in character, plot, interest and acting just as good. You are the Anne of Green Gables sort...this would be right up your alley if you hadn't heard of it, as I had not. And that is just one series on there...what they have is amazing if you love the BBC types of shows.:)

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  19. I just love your new pink glasses, Deb and your kitchen is wonderful with those lovely glass cabinets full of your beautiful things. Pink certainly does make you smile and the dress and skirt selections are just the thing to put a little spring in your step, as my Grandmother used to say! I have only read 'Anne of Green Gables' and did not realize there were more..... I will have to keep my eyes open for those. January certainly can get you down - thank you for sharing your sweet 'pick me ups'! Now I want that pink dress! xx Karen

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  20. Hello Deborah, yes the winter months can be a little depressing at times. I have been sitting reading in the afternoons, watching Netflix, working on a baby blanket, a scarf, and a cowl for a friend! So I'm trying to keep myself occupied with all of that. I think keeping busy works best for me.
    I hope you enjoy the weekend.
    Julie xo

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  21. What a pretty pink dress! And I felt a little sorry too that you sent back the pink tulle skirt. I love the Anne books -- happy reading by the fireplace.

    When I feel a little low for a season, I look for the beauty around me -- in nature, books, kind friends, kitties, sprigs of flowers. As Iris Murdoch and Susan Branch have discovered: One of the secrets of a happy life is continous small treats.

    Wishing you a pleasant evening,
    Brenda
    xox

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  22. Good Afternoon, I adore the pink dress. When I first started a career (100 years ago!) I had a dress that color and rec'd so many compliments. I also love your pink glasses and agree that as long as we are drinking all that water, it should be from a pretty container! Your kitchen and collection of pretties would make me happy! I have started a new photo a day blog for 2017...my name on this comment should take you there. God bless your weekend.

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  23. Love this post - same weather here and I think you've shared some sound advice here, Deb! Youabsolutley must share this with the linky party called Pink Saturday over at Bev's How Sweet The Sound blog - it's perfectly, wonderfully pink!

    And - my eyes popped out of my head over your pics of kitchen! Girl, you must do a full post about this with before and afters - wow, it's gorgeous!!!!!!!!!!!!

    Hugs. ♥

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