If you're anything like me,
you've suffered from the mild depression that comes from being single. Like
Rachel in Friends said so elegantly: "This SUCKS! Being alone SUCKS!"
This, of course isn't always
true, sometimes being single is great! There's no one to be responsible for... um...
errr... well, I'm sure there are other reasons (ask me again when I'm not in a
"being single SUCKS" mood). When that "I'm alone" feeling
sinks in deep, it's hard to feel positive about it.
Especially when your friends all
seem to be happily married, in a relationship or dating. I love all my friends,
and I am genuinely happy for every single one of them. But I'm sure you guys
know what I mean when I say "why can't it be me!"
I've felt this way before. I flit
in and out of it from time to time, sometimes its triggered by hormones (you
ladies know what I mean), sometimes it's the cold weather. Other times I have
no idea what it is. All I know for sure is, it is reversible. I have come up
with a few ways to get myself out of the slump. Let me know what you think
about them!
| mmmmmmmmmmmm |
Gym
Work it out. I find exercising
actually does increase my ability to feel happy. I burn some nervous energy, I
feel healthier for it (and it eats up some of my alone time!) If you're joined
to a nice gym, there are also sexy men to sneakily ogle at (don't lie to
yourself, we all do it!)
Food
Happy Film
I throw on a Happy Film. I have a
couple on my list, including Iron Man and The Hangover 2. Don't ask why they
are my happy films, I don't quite understand it myself, but I always get a
giddy feeling when I watch them. It puts me in a much better mood.
I should note here that although
Love Actually is another one of my Happy Films, I wouldn't advocate any lovey-dovey
movies whilst in the "alone SUCKS" mode. I've done it before- tears and
wet tissues everywhere, and there was no turning back at the end- I was firmly
in the "Being alone SUCKS" zone.
Guilty Pleasures
This is a guilty pleasure. And it
does make me feel a little bad to admit it. But, although I am single, there
are a couple of guys that have a small thing for me. They are cool guys, and I
have made it perfectly clear to them that they are JUST friends. But sometimes,
I just want a little male company. So, I may call one up, have a quick chat. It
can be nice to speak to someone who fancies me, nevertheless, I never lead them
on.
This can sometimes backfire, if they
are busy and can't talk, or they have girlfriends or whatever. So I never leave
this as a last resort, it has a weird way of knocking down my house of cards.
Get pretty and dance
This is my secret, so don't
laugh. I'll sit down, give myself a mani-pedi, then wash, scrub, mask, cleanse,
tone, moisturise my face off, straighten my hair and walk around the house in
my cute PJs. I look pretty. For me. Then, I throw on my favourite dance track
and go wild! I just focus on the music. No sad songs- just upbeat ones!
GET OUT OF THE HOUSE
So important. I get out.
Immediately. Yes, a small amount of wallowing is normal. But when your reaction
to natural light is to hiss and squint like a deranged cat, it's time to be
outside. I go for a walk around a nice area, or sit for a coffee in a nice
coffee shop. Sometimes I get on a bus and look at the sights. Whatever gets me
out and about. I know for me, being inside for a long time means extended
periods in my own head. And in this type of mood, that's not safe.
These exercises usually get me
through a weekend, or however long it is until I have to be somewhere or do
something that takes my mind off my woes. Then, I'm back to my jolly, positive-thinking
self. Being single isn't all that bad. There are some good points (again, when
I have done the above I'll be in a better place to list what they are).
What would be on your list? Let
me know so I can add it to mine!
