#highly recommend if you’re in a writing rut to throw yourself into something fun and silly like this

[littlerose13writes]

In chapter 13 of I Knew It All Along, James decides the best way to distract the press from… other things is to dye his hair blonde, which prolific gossip magazine In The Tea Leaves absolutely fall for, they publish several articles and in this chapter we see them invite their readers to ‘see page 8 for our countdown of all the best James Potter hair looks’ and I simply couldn’t resist writing that article and commissioning @yendts to illustrate with her wonderful James! This is the result, I love it a lot. Thank you so much Sydney, it was great working with you and I’m obsesseddd with the outcome!

Click for quality! Alt text for the article body is below the cut:

Puddlemere star Chaser (and all-round Keeper of our hearts) James Potter has never been one to shy away from changing up his look; from his colour-changing robes at the 2029 International Quidditch Awards to the ever-updated number of earrings he sports when off the pitch, James loves to experiment with his personal style.

Puddlemere star Chaser (and all-round Keeper of our hearts) James Potter has never been one to shy away from changing up his look; from his colour-changing robes at the 2029 International Quidditch Awards to the ever-updated number of earrings he sports when off the pitch, James loves to experiment with his personal style.

His favourite thing to change up is his hair. We’ve seen it all from James, and it was about time somebody collated all that auburn-haired, Potter yumminess into one handy countdown! Do not fear, In The Tea Leaves has your back, and we present the definitive countdown of all the BEST James Potter hair looks*

*rankings based on a quick survey passed around the ITTL staff room, v scientific!

In at number five… admit it, you cried yourself to sleep mourning the loss of James’ hair the first time you saw this pic! We did too, but when we heard all of the Puddlemere lads buzzed their heads together to raise awareness and funds for Cerebrumous Spattergroit Research (after their dear friend and teammate Bradley Bell was sadly diagnosed in 2027) our hearts simply melted. Talk about a team effort! On his new hairstyle, James said on Owlstagram “I’ve never fully appreciated the exact shape of my skull before now - we love you Bradders!” He must have really liked it because James stuck with the ‘do for longer than most of his teammates - we think he most definitely pulls it off!

The boys raised a whopping 5000 galleons for the charity and were over the moon to learn that Bradley was set to make a full recovery.

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Up at number four is the infamous mullet which really split our office down the middle - there were lots of votes for it to take the top spot. James graduated from Hogwarts with this trendy ‘do and carried on rocking it when he first joined the Puddlemere development squad (awww baby James!) No doubt if trendsetter James did this now, it would immediately be known as a Jullet! (we would indeed take full responsibility for starting this) James, if you’re reading this, we think it’s time to bring this one back!

In the middle of our countdown is this sweet, curly look - doesn’t it make you want to ruffle James’ hair and tell him how gosh-darn cute he is! On Owlstagram, James said he was inspired by the Chudley Cannons’ unofficial mascot, his cousin Freddie’s labradoodle (his name is Gravy and we are all kinds of obsessed - see page 17 for pics!) which makes sense - they’re both absolutely adorable! To achieve this look at home, we recommend Fleamont’s hair-curling potion: it’s a splurge at 18 sickles a bottle but we tested five brands and it was by far the best quality!

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In second place on our countdown is this cool, classic look that James returns to time and time again, his quintessential style. We’ve seen him score match-winning goals with this hairstyle, grace the cover of Wizard’s Health, enjoy the occasional night out with his teammates and blow us all away on the red carpet at the Harpies charity ball. There’s something about the way the wind rushes through his fringe as he flies that has James going back to this hairstyle and all we can say is we agree! It’s a low-maintenance and cool choice for the wizard in your life - just ask for ‘The James Potter’!

And taking the top spot, to the surprise of pretty much no one, is the look that had us all brushing up on our blowdry charms! The middle parting, the sweeping fringe, that dreamy smile; this look secured James a spot on everyone’s bedroom wall (see page 12 for a pull out poster of this pic) including ours at ITTL!

Overall, we think it’s safe to say James Potter really can pull off anything and we can’t wait to see what he surprises us with next!

[therainroguefanfiction]

⁂ Where Are You Now? (Johnny Seo)

Genre: Angst, Dark, Inspirational ☁

Word Count: 3,866 ☁

Pairing: Reader, Johnny ☁

World: NCT ☁

Song: “Where are you now?” by Loving Caliber  ☁

Author’s Note: I’ve had this on my mind for about a week. Today, I had a rough day and my depression flared up, As I was listening to music to calm down, the song for this fic started playing so I decided to bite the bullet and write it out. Because of my mood, it’s very dark and depressing and even I cried as I was writing it, but that doesn’t say much as I’m a sensitive bitch. After getting all of my bad emotions out, I ended it lightly. It’s not fluff, but I wasn’t sure what to label it. The most appropriate thing I could think of was “inspirational”. I worked on this non-stop for about three and a half hours, so I hope you enjoy. I highly recommend listening to the song of the same name by loving caliber while you read it. I listened to this song on replay the entire time I was writing so I could get the feel of the song properly incorporated into the fic.

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You first met Johnny Seo when you twelve years old. Your family had just moved to Chicago and he happened to be your neighbor. His family was very friendly, coming over to welcome you to the neighborhood. You didn’t like him at first because he was already taller than you, but you soon learned that he stood above most of the kids your age. It hadn’t taken long for him to worm his way into your heart because of his kind and helpful nature.

He was your first friend and he made life so much more entertaining. Whether he was cracking jokes or tripping over his own feet, he always brightened up everyone’s day. Spending time with him meant living in the moment. You didn’t think about what tomorrow would bring, all you thought about was how much fun you were having at that moment. Today was all that mattered to both of you.

You’re not sure how it happened, but you became dependent on Johnny. When he wasn’t around, you would become moody and a total nightmare for your family, but whenever he came around, you be the brightest kid around. Suddenly, all of your worries and fears disappeared. It was just you and Johnny exploring everything the world had to over and you loved it.

You still remember the time you spent with him in high school. Just as your mother had predicted, Johnny had grown up to be a heartthrob. He was popular with the boys and even more popular with the girls, but he never let that get to his head. No matter how popular he was, he was always there for you.

You remember the day everything changed for you.

You had been dating a boy from your class for several months and you had convinced yourself that you were in love with him. Deep down, you knew that neither of you felt that way, but it still broke your heart when you walked in on him cheating on you with one of the cheerleaders. Not just that, but he turned it around and told everyone that you had cheated on him. School became hell for you after that, but Johnny didn’t believe the rumors for a second.

He was there, rushing to your side and holding you in his arms as you cried your heart out. That day, both of you had missed more than half of your classes, but neither of you cared. It was just you and him, sitting under a cherry blossom tree in the park.

“I’ll always be here for you, Y/N. You’re my best friend, remember?”

Before, those words would have made you smile, but that time was different. Something within you snapped and you came to realize that you were in love with Johnny. He was so beautiful, inside and out, and he had always been at your side. How could you have missed it? But he didn’t feel the same.

He was always talking about his crush on the softball team captain.

The fear of rejection and messing up the relationship scared you, so you kept your feelings to yourself. You thought if you ignored it, it would go away, but it didn’t. As time passed, your feelings only grew and he was completely oblivious.

At the end of your senior year, your father announced that you would be moving to another state for his work. On the same day, Johnny announced that he had confessed to the captain and she said yes – they were a couple now.

You made the decision not to tell him about the move.

Just like that, you disappeared from his life.

Five years have passed, and not a day went by that you weren’t thinking about Johnny. You remembered how he would excitedly talk about how he wanted to be an actor or a veterinarian. In the later years of high school, he talked about how cool it would be to be on the Olympic volleyball team. He had so many things that he wanted to do with his life.

As you stood behind the counter of your coffee shop, serving rude customers with strange names, you couldn’t help but wonder if he ever pursued any of those dreams. Maybe he had found a new dream to chase, or maybe he was stuck in the same rut you were living paycheck to paycheck in a dead-end job.

“I clearly said no whipped cream!” A man screamed at you, slamming his hand onto the counter. “Are you even awake?”

“You didn’t say anything about whipped cream, sir.” You responded, numbly. After a year and a half of working the same job, you had become used to the abuse that came with it, both from the customers and your manager. You had become numb to it all.

“Are you saying I’m a liar? The customer is always right, you know.”

“Yes, sir.”

“Don’t just scrape it off, it’s ruined now. I want a new one.”

“Yes, sir.” Like a robot, you dumped his drink and started over, not responding to the old woman standing at the register complaining about no one taking her order. It was only you and another guy working, but he was too busy smoking weed in the back to care, leaving you to deal with the weight of everything.

You handed him his drink which he took with a huff. Jason finally returned, his eyes red and his clothes reeking, but it wasn’t your concern. Your shift had ended and you didn’t hesitate to walk away, ignoring the abusive words and looks the woman at the register was sending your way. Whether you did a good job or a horrible one, your manager would still bitch at you and find a way to blame you for everything that went wrong. You just stopped caring.

You stepped out of the coffee shop with a sigh, your eyes looking up to the dreary sky. Cold drops of rain pelted your face lightly and your breath came out in a thin cloud of smoke. It was the beginning of Spring, but it was still very cold and the rain did little to raise the temperature.

It felt good on your skin.

More importantly, it hid the tears that slid down your cheeks.

Your eyes followed a man across that street. At first glance, he looked a lot like Johnny, but you knew it wasn’t him. Your mind loved to play with you and make you see him everywhere, but you know he isn’t there.

You sighed, slowly trudging back to your apartment. “Do you think about me, too? Because I can’t stop thinking about you…”

Life continued to get worse for you.

You had attended a party hosted by your weed-smoking co-worker and got wasted off your face. You never drank, it just wasn’t who you were, but you just wanted one day that you didn’t think about Johnny. Just one day of being free from him.

In your wasted state, you ended up sleeping with some guy you didn’t know, just hoping that he could replace the thoughts of Johnny.

It made your body feel good, but it did little to heal your soul. You felt just as numb before you passed out, and even more so the next day when you woke up next to the creep.

It was just supposed to be a one night stand, but he took an interest in you and wouldn’t leave you alone. He worked his way into your life and soon into your apartment, but he was a bum and drug addict, relying on your measly check to fund his habit.

You let him do what he wanted until the landlord threatened to evict you. It woke you up enough to tell him that if he wanted drugs, he could get em his damn self because you were done being his ATM. You were done giving him a place to fuck an assortment of women. You were done with everything.

Too bad no one ever told you that bad things happen when you deny a druggie his fix. He turned violent, throwing you against the table and punching you in the gut. The items on the table fell to the ground in the struggle. He tried to wrap his hand around your throat, but you bit his arm and kicked him in the nuts. Because of his grip on you, you both hit the floor, falling into the piles of shattered glass.

Your eyes landed on the broken picture frame on the ground and you grabbed it before forcing yourself up, running into your bedroom and locking the door.

When he recovered, he tried to break down the door but he was as dumb as a bag of rocks and didn’t realize the key was sitting on the counter.

You curled up under the window, hugging the photo to your chest as violent sobs racked your body. How had things gotten so bad? When did things start to nose dive into the ground? Why weren’t you good enough for a normal, happy life?

The idiot had been at it for almost two hours before the sound of banging stopped. You were hoping he had passed out from hitting his head so many times, but you knew your luck just wasn’t that good.

Tears were still clouding your eyes, but your body had finally stopped shaking. You uncurled your body, your limbs feeling numb from being in the same position too long, and you examined the photo.

The glass was gone, leaving behind one small piece stuck to the top of the frame. The wood was broken in half at the bottom, hanging on by a small splinter of wood. When the glass broke, it had scraped up the picture a bit.

Your finger ran over the damage and you started to cry again. It was the last photo you and Johnny had taken together. His team had won the local volleyball tournament, but instead of celebrating with his teammates, he wanted to celebrate with you. He had taken you to the local arcade where you grabbed some pizza and battled each other in various games. Neither of you could one-up the other, though.

He’d win at a shooting game, while you’d win at a racing game. It continued to go back and forth until you finally agreed to play DDR – the winner of that would be the winner of the night, but you had somehow managed to tie with the exact same score. You still remember how the owner had been impressed, saying he hadn’t seen two people so in sync in his fifty years of running the arcade.

You remember wanting to confess that day, but before you could work up the nerve, he got a call from the softball captain to congratulate him on his win. Seeing his face light up as he talked to her made your heart ache painfully and you ended up running away. He was too wrapped up in his conversation to even notice.

That was the last day you saw him.

You chuckled, but it contained no humor. “Maybe if I hadn’t been such a coward, things would have been different.” Suddenly feeling pain and anger swirling up like a volcano, you crumbled up the photo and threw it across the room. With a scream, you toppled over the dresser, throwing the lamp against the wall. You grabbed all of your clothes, throwing them out of the closet. You were so fucking angry, so fucking fed up with your life.

The next day, you packed the things most important to you into a single bag. You had called your mother and asked if it was alright if you came home, and she wired you enough money for the trip. You paused in the doorway of your bedroom, looking around at the mess you had made. Everything was broken, the floor covered in clothes and various broken objects. The crumpled up picture caught your eye and you hesitated.

You slowly picked it up, pulling a lighter out of your pocket. Uncrumpling it, you set the corner of the photo on fire. You stared at Johnny’s face until the flame started to lick at your fingers. With a shake of your head, you threw the flaming picture onto the ground before turning you back to the apartment.

The train ride to your mother’s house was two hours long, and you felt completely exhausted by the time your feet reached the porch. It had been years since you last saw your mother, four to be exact.

Soon after moving away from Chicago, your father had been gunned down at work when he tried to protect a child during a robbery. He died before the paramedics could arrive. It tore your family apart.

Your mother had resorted to drinking to cope, and in doing so had turned cruel to you and your brother. She never hit you, but she would assault you with insult after insult. When she said it was your fault that he died, you had run away from home and never contacted her again. You had agreed with her, believing that you had indirectly lead your father to his death.

Your brother wanted to become a doctor at the time, but schooling was expensive. Being fresh out of high school and very much heartbroken, you had no interest getting a job to help fund him and your parents understood that, but because you weren’t helping with income, your father had to take a part-time job as a security guard. If you had gotten a job to help out, your father never would have taken that job and wouldn’t have died.

Standing on the porch, your hand was raised just inches from the door, but you couldn’t bring yourself to knock. Your hand was shaking and tears were already beginning to pour down your cheeks.

The door swung open to reveal your mother carrying a bag of trash. She froze when she saw you standing there.

“Mamma…”

She dropped the bag and rushed forward, pulling you into her arms. You both started to sob, sliding down to the ground. All of the pent-up emotions and regrets between the two of you had come to the surface.

Her grip tightened as she pressed a kiss to the side of your head, “Welcome home, Y/N.”

Footsteps came rushing towards you as your younger brother stopped in the doorway. He had heard the commotion and came running to make sure everything was okay. “Sis?” He didn’t hesitate to join the two of you, his arms wrapping around both of you. Being the man of the house, he refused to let himself cry, wanting to be strong for the both of you.

A cold burst of air whipped around you and your brother encouraged you both to come inside, to which you agreed. Your mother rushed to grab some iced tea while your brother took your bag from you. As you slid your coat off, his eyes widened at the blood-soaked bandage wrapped around your arm.

“What happened?” He demanded, gently grasping your arm.

You tried to speak, but the words just wouldn’t come out. Your eyes met your mother’s when she re-entered the living room, nearly dropping the glasses when her eyes saw your arm. You broke down again and explained to them everything that had happened. You didn’t hold back a single detail.

Your feelings for Johnny, your guilt over your dad, the shitty apartment, and the weed-smoking co-worker, your night of partying and the ensuing abusive druggie that clung to you like a fucking tick. You told them everything. In return, your mother told you of her struggles in rehab and her attempts to find you, and your brother successfully graduating at the top of his class. He was on the track to fulfilling his dream.

“Y/N… I know you can’t forgive me for what I said, and I can’t ask you to, but you need to know,” your mother’s voice was shaky as her hand clutched yours. Your eyes met hers and you could see the pain and sincerity there. “You had nothing to do with your father’s death. It wasn’t your fault.”

You nodded, trying to hold back the tears. Hearing those words, it felt like a giant weight had been lifted off of you. “I’m sorry for running away when you needed me the most.”

She shook her head, “You have nothing to apologize for, love. I’m your mother, I should have been there for you, but I wasn’t. I can never take that back, but I hope we can start again.”

You nodded again and she pulled you into her arms. It was warm and comforting.

It felt like home.

You sat outside on the porch, watching the rain as it sprinkled the Earth. You had been living back at home for a few months now and had gotten a job with an old friend of your mother’s at the local bakery. It was hard work, but it was still better than the coffee shop. The manager was kind and understanding, taking time to teach you everything you needed to know about the bakery and the machinery. You worked a shift with one co-worker, a teenage girl that hadn’t yet broken out of her shell. She was shy and reserved at first, but once you had spent some time with you, you found her to be a very kind and caring person. She loved to help others and make them smile.

She reminded you a lot of how Johnny had been when he was a child, but it didn’t hurt like you had expected it to – seeing the similarities made you smile.

You still loved Johnny with all of your heart and soul, but you knew you had to move on. For yourself, you had to move on and live your life. You did deserve to be happy, but you had to put in a bit of effort to make that happen. You had to help your heart heal, but you weren’t doing it alone. You had your family back and the three of you were stronger than ever before.

Still, when you had time away from the hectic bakery and helping your mother stay on top of her job at the post office, you found yourself thinking about him again. You wondered where he was at that moment, what he was doing. Was he happy? If you met him on the street, would he remember you? Would he still be your best friend, acting as if time had never separated you?

You didn’t know.

Your mother had explained everything to your new boss since they were old friends, and she could relate. She, too, had lost the love of her life because she was too afraid to go after what she wanted. Even today, it still crosses her mind – how different would her life be if she had confessed?

“But you know, Y/N,” she had started, patting your hand with her own as she offered you a sad smile. “Perhaps it wasn’t meant to be. I still hold on to the hope that we will one day meet and start over, even in my old age. That hope will be in the back of my mind until the day I die.”

“How do you cope?” You had whispered.

The woman smiled as he eyes watched a bird bathing in the gentle rain shower. “It’s not easy. I believe to this day that he was my true love, but maybe I wasn’t his. If it’s meant to be, truly, we will find each other again one day. You must remember that, but you also mustn’t let it stop you from living. Go out and experience life, child. Fall in love, start a family and regret nothing. If it’s meant to be, you’ll find one another, even if it’s later in life, but you shouldn’t throw away your life waiting on a chance.”

Her words had resonated within you and you knew she was right. As much as you wanted to be with Johnny, as much as you loved him, you couldn’t just stop living and wait for him when he might never show up.

Your eyes looked at the gray sky, the clouds parting to allow sunlight to shine through. A rainbow had formed on the horizon, acting as a beacon of hope for those who were suffering. You stood up and walked to the edge of the porch, your eyes scanning the length of it.

And you smiled.

A genuine, happy smile.

All the weight you had been carrying for so damn long was finally starting to be lifted. You knew that you still had a long way to go, but you were making progress. You were taking the small steps toward a brighter, happier future. And that’s all that mattered.

“Wherever you are, Johnny Seo, I hope you are happy and healthy. I hope we can meet again one day, but if our paths never cross, thank you for lighting up my life. I love you…”

The wind picked up, knocking the petals off the cherry blossom tree your father had planted before his death. You smiled at it, feeling as if your father was there with you, watching over his family even in death. Your eyes watered, but you wiped them away, feeling happier than you had in years.

Life was getting better, one step at a time.

Johnny stepped out of the car, his gaze looking up at the sky. It had been raining just minutes before, but the clouds had opened up, allowing the morning sun to shine through.

“Hyung, look, a rainbow!” Haechan pointed off in the distance.

It was hard to see as it curved around a tall building, but he could faintly make out the hues of color. When his eyes scanned it, he suddenly felt a wave of nostalgia rush over him. He couldn’t explain it, but he felt… hopeful.

“Hurry inside before it starts to rain again,” Taeyong told them and the members of NCT did as they were told.

As the boys crowded around backstage, waiting for the MC to call them up, Johnny reached into his pocket and pulled out a crumpled and worn photograph. You were smiling brightly in the picture as you talked to a classmate, unaware that Johnny was taking your picture at the time. It was his absolute favorite picture of you and whenever he felt nervous or tired, he would always look at it to give himself a boost of confidence.

“Everyone, please welcome NCT 127!”

The group jogged onto the stage, greeting the crowd of screaming fans. Johnny found himself vaguely wondering if you were among that crowd, but the chance of that was very unlikely.

Johnny smiled as he introduced himself to the crowd, but his mind was still on you, ‘One day I’ll find you again. Wait for me, Y/N.’

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📜 Read more by checking out my masterlist 📜

[home-working]

An Opportunisticle Top Ten Listicle

Welcome home.

WOW, everything has realllllly changed in the last few weeks due to coronavirus, and it sounds like everyone that still has an office job is now working remotely in a social distancing bubble. The consensus seems to be that it’s great news for introverts, while everyone else is going nuts. For me, it’s obviously same old, same old!

While friends and I take turns panicking and calming each other down via phone, I would also like to extend emotional support from Brooklyn to my massive online audience in the form of a lighthearted and completely forgettable blog post. It would be quite the missed opportunity to not write something right now about my, like, one area of mild expertise: staying inside.

I’ve passed on a lot of Homeworking™ trade secrets over the years (Smoothies! Natural light! Yoga! Kombucha!), but since I’ve never done a listicle, here’s my top ten personal recommendations of ... things... related to working from home!

1. Talk Radio

I really hate having to “DJ” while I’m concentrating on work, so I just listen to the one thing I can “set and forget” for 16 straight hours: NPR! (Or the CBC, if I’m in Canada.) Does listening to talk radio make you feel like you’re not alone? You bet! The hosts are often the only friends I talk at on a given day, and they are usually very knowledgable. Also, after 12 years of repeated daily background use, I can attest that it makes you really good at accidentally tuning people out IRL.

Warning: generally involves hourly news briefings, so maybe not great if you’re trying to avoid that.

2. Tea

Is your brain turning to mush? Can’t concentrate on your work? Take a physical break, make tea! Make tea when you wake up, make it after lunch. Make tea all day, every day! It’s hydrating! I recommend the flavour “green”.

3. Soup

If I’m in the middle of a work hole, I really hate stopping what I’m doing to make lunch, therefore I tend to prep A LOT of soup for easy midday meals. (In the summer, I switch to salads.) Easy to freeze, easy to reheat, easy to feel like you have the diet of an invalid with dentures. Fun fact: one of my Slack channels is now just a recipe sharing channel.

(And yes, that’s “The Stew”. Here’s another one that’s pretty yummy.)

4. Laundry

If you live in a building with a laundry room that closes at 8pm (like me), now is your chance to use it during the day! I highly recommend before 11am, Monday through Thursday to beat the rush, though I’ll admit this optimum timing was determined pre-COVID-19.

Can I tell the story of how once, when I was in LA, I went into a Howard Johnson hotel to try to find a toilet? I politely asked the front desk if they could tell me where to find “the washroom”. They pointed to a corridor, but walking down it I only saw laundry and utility closets. It then hit me that by using the Canadian term “washroom”, they thought I was referring to a laundry room, hahaha! What a simpler time!

(Ridiculous image via this site.)

5. Facemasks

I actually rarely do facemasks, but this creepy picture was in my camera roll and it felt like an opportune time to throw in a thirst trap. Facemasks seem like something people can do while working??

6. This Particular Deodorant

If you’re quarantined inside, you might be one of those people that still needs to get up, shower, and get dressed every day (weird!). Or, you might live by yourself and basically never change out of your pyjamas or shower for days at time (normal). TMI, but one of the reasons I’m able to be this disgusting is thanks to this unisex Real Purity roll-on deodorant. I recently tried switching to “industry disruptor” brand Native, but my pits started smelling like onions by day two. This stuff somehow keeps me smelling fine faaaar longer than any deodorant should, and if my BO ever gets bad, it’s in a pleasant, musky way (no onions). Highly recommend!

Hot tip: it’s way cheaper to order off their site than Amazon.

7. Going Outside

You know what breaks up a day? Taking a walk! Yes, the outside is a foreign world rife with contagions, but as long as you stay 6 feet away from other humans, you can still safely enjoy it (apparently). I take this time to call a friend (see #9), go for a jog, or just sit down on a bench with a notebook and brainstorm. You can probably also just use “going outside” to whittle away hours in the name of “self care”, because I don’t think anyone will penalize you for that right now. Don’t forget to re-stock your liquor cabinet on the way home.

8. Caroline in the City

After not thinking about this show for several years, I’ve just appointed Caroline the Patron Saint of Homeworking™. Gurl lived and worked from her loft with an employee! 

Wow, all episodes are still on CBS?! How did she live in Manhattan and employ an often-around colourist when she just had a single daily cartoon (which, let’s be real, only needs colour on weekends)? Remember that her friend Annie was in the broadway production of Cats? Am I still attracted to Richard? I really appreciate that the writers named each episode with a “Caroline and the ____” titular structure. “Caroline and the Condom” aired August 5, 1996. Again, wow!

9. Talking to Other Humans

Some people might have work conference calls for 8 hours, but I often go days without talking to another human. Of course I text like a madwoman, but something I’ve personally come to realise over the last year is that talking to another human massages your emotions in ways that texting can’t. Half an hour of chatting or venting to a good friend can ease you out of a depressive rut, help you escape from an anxious downward spiral, or just make you remember you’ve got a loving, caring network around you. If someone you know sounds down, don’t just text, offer to call!

(Image of the jealous girlfriend, in better spirits because she’s TALKING TO SOMEONE, via this site.)

10. The Bag in a Tree

There is a plastic bag that’s been stuck in a tree outside my window for well over a year. It’s very "Firework”, very “American Beauty”, and very calming to stare at for long periods of time while you’re contemplating the future of human existence. Are we all just plastic bags... stuck in a tree? It’s also a bit of a relic now, as single-use plastic bags were banned in NYC a few weeks ago. I encourage you to find your own “bag in a tree”. You’ll thank me.

And so on...

If you need any more ideas for your period of self isolation, the editors of Desk Lunch have also compiled a great list of things to occupy your time with.

Take care, y’all. My heart goes out to those who are suffering during this time of global uncertainty. Keep your mental health in check, don’t hoard, practice social distancing, and call your loved ones. xo

[naomi-l-tiessen-blog]

Tips on Staying [Relatively] Sane While Writing

Hellllooooooo Everybody ~

Happy Thursday Blogday!

Let’s face it: we’ve all been there, where at some point or another, writing stops being fun. Writing is our calling; we were born on this cynical planet to tell stories. It’s been written into our DNA, it’s our passion, it’s the reason Why. We. Breathe.

And it’s stopped being fun. In fact, it’s driving us a little batty.

*Le Gasp!!*

Cue the world ending.

Don’t worry. It happens to the best of us. It’s common to fall in and out of love with writing, especially considering we should be treating it like a job, and who doesn’t fall in and out of love with their job? Or, better yet, upgrade and develop a love-hate relationship with it altogether? It’s perfectly normal for your life passion to make you seriously question your sanity. And really, Lord knows it doesn’t matter if that passion is a hobby or a profession; insanity is completely inclusive and knows no boundaries. Honestly, you should watch me play video games; as much as I love them, I’m generally a mess when I play.

I know we all like to think that we are tough as nails and have nerves of steel, but the truth of the matter is this: we are human. We are fragile sometimes. And sometimes, SOMETIMES, our mental game isn’t exactly top notch. And while this might not seem like a big deal, not being 100% in the mental health department can lead to other things, like other health issues, insomnia, poor eating habits, increased hermitage, poor writing, or worse, NO writing.

Ok, NOW cue the world ending.

So, before you toss in the towel and seriously consider a new passion, let me settle your worried soul and offer 10 tips on how to salvage the last bits of your already fragile mental psyche. Some of these may work for you, and some of them may not. Some of them won’t be very nice to hear (you’ve been warned; the faint of heart should avert ye eyes), but are important nonetheless.

Without further ado, 10 tips on how to stay [relatively] sane while writing:

1) Take a break. This one is important, guys. When was the last time you got up, stretched, and focused on something besides your computer screen? Sometimes when we are so focused on our work, we forget that we have a body…a human body…and those things have needs! We ignore the signs our bodies are throwing at us, like muscle aches, eye strain, hunger pains, headaches, and full bladders. Trust me, your work isn’t going anywhere. You can afford a 5-minute pee break. It’ll all be there when you get back. And if it isn’t…well…I blame the wizards.

2) Make a schedule for yourself. Set alarms to remind yourself to take breaks, to eat, to do something that isn’t writing-oriented. Maybe instead of saying, “I will write today!” start with smaller, less vague goals. “I will write 500 words, take a 10-minute break, and then write another 500 words.” This goal is a lot more specific, is well-structured, has a beginning and end, and is easily attainable! Make it a habit to start each writing session with a routine so you know which direction you are heading in; going head-first into a session without an end-goal often leads to procrastination, frustration, and disappointment.

3) Switch it up. If the routine you are currently stuck in feels more like a rut than anything, perhaps it’s time to develop a new ritual. Try something different. Leave the house. Listen to a different playlist. Play around with a couple writing exercises to get the ideas flowing. Write in a group if you normally hermit it up (and vice versa, if you are on the more social side). Pick apart your routine and see what is working, and what isn’t. It’s amazing to see the sorts of things that might be helping alleviate your stress, and what might be exacerbating it.  

4) Reward yourself. When you meet a goal, celebrate! Eat that candy, take a breather to watch that movie, go to the bookstore and buy that book you’ve been eyeing up. Allowing yourself those little treats is a great way to lighten the mood, offer momentary distraction, and reinforce further positive behavior. Think of it like this. If you are training your puppy to go to the front door when it needs to pee, you are going to offer positive feedback when it does the task you want it to do. Your puppy is then going to associate doing the right thing with something good (ie: praise, cuddles, and/or treats). The same thing goes for you (except, for the love of God, I hope you’re potty trained). When you set goals for yourself, reach them, and reward yourself accordingly, your brain is going to start associating positive experiences with hard word and hitting goals. This helps you focus less on stress and more on how well you are doing, or how much work you’re getting done. It’s all about perspective, you see. Positive reinforcement is key to a healthy you and a healthy me!

5) Accept defeat. Ok, I KNOW this is like a punch in the throat, and I’m not trying to be Negative Nelly over here, but this is an honest-to-goodness tip, Scouts Honor. When I say, “accept defeat,” I’m not saying toss all your hard work away the moment you hit a wall and all the rainbows and butterflies are gone. I’m saying that if you’ve been struggling with your novel baby for a solid chunk of time (I’m talking months-years here), you’ve lost your passion for it, and you are generally experiencing more anger than joy when it comes to sitting down at your computer and opening up your work, then you might want to consider either 1) setting that WIP aside and focusing on something else, or 2) getting rid of that WIP altogether. Now, keep in mind that this is only for absolutely dire, worst-case-scenario ordeals. But sometimes, it’s good to know when to call a spade a spade and to call it quits. I highly recommend putting a lot of thought into this, as well as making the decision with a clear, objective mind. Because, let’s face it, this is a huge deal, and letting your emotions get in the way might not be the best idea. But sometimes, you’d be amazed at how much lighter you feel after agreeing to drop a story. I’ve done it before, and as sad as it is to say goodbye, the lack of mental stress, guilt, and burden was enough to convince me that I made the right choice.

6) Get support/have a soundboard. A good vent session is a beautiful thing. And it’s even better when it’s not with your fur baby. For me, besides the raging headache I get, I often feel 10x lighter, more energetic, and more balanced after a good sob-fest/yelling session. While the soundboard can essentially be anyone, it helps if they have a writer’s brain like you; they know the struggles you are going through inside and out, and can offer constructive feedback and advice that doesn’t make you want to start throwing out punches like a kung-fu master. But the most important thing is knowing you aren’t alone in these problems. People have gone through EXACTLY what you are going through. They’ve been on the verge of snapping a time or two as well; what you are experiencing is not special, nor is it exclusive to solely you. People are suffering together! Hooray!

7) Journal your progress. Now, I know that sometimes journaling is the last thing people want to do, especially if writing is what they are already doing all day, not to mention if it is writing that is causing them such mental strain. But I find that if I journal my progress, even if it’s a couple sentences here and there, it helps me debrief and vent. This tip is especially handy if you don’t have the best support systems in place, or a soundboard to fall back on. Besides, sometimes we just need to rage-write our hearts out without fear of getting judged, interrupted, and overwhelmed with awful advice. Just as well, I find that journaling also helps me remain focused and on track. I can see how far I’ve come, how much I’ve grown, and I’m reminded that I’m a lot stronger now than I was before. It’s very grounding.

8) Listen to music. Some people prefer to write in silence, and that’s totally fine! However, unless I’m really in The Zone, I find that my thoughts go way faster than my fingers, and in the end, I get too stressed to even function. My subconscious gets the better of me, and in the end, my work, and my mental health, suffers because of it. Therefore, often I turn to music to help keep my mind chatter to a minimum, and to keep my focus sharp. Music is awesome that way; there is a unique type for every sort of mood you are feeling. If you need something relaxing, there’s a playlist for that. If you need hardcore screamo, there’s a playlist for that. If you need orchestral, or lyrical, or dubstep, or chillstep, there is a freaking playlist for that. Music is incredibly influential, and often I find that my mood mirrors whatever I’m listening to. Using music to impact and manipulate your writing is a great way to push past blocks, fears, and crippling doubt. Need a confidence booster? I’ll bet there’s a playlist for that.

9) EAT. Seriously. When was the last time you fed your body? And no, I don’t mean with ichiban noodles, nutrigrain bars, and candy. When was the last time you put ACTUAL food into your belly? AKA protein, nutrients, healthy sugars, and non-lethal doses of sodium? When was the last time you drank something besides coffee and energy drinks? If you honestly can’t remember, stop reading this blog, go and grab a cup of water, and don’t sit back down till you drank it all. I mean it.

10) You are going to hate me for this, but exercise. Notice how I left this as the last tip…because it is honestly the last damn resort, the “worst case scenario”, the Plan Z. I’m not a fan of exercise on the best of days, but sometimes, if you are hitting that writer’s block for the umpteenth time, and the end is nowhere in sight, and your frustration is building so high up that it’s about to cave in on itself, then maybe stepping away from the danger zone and getting fresh air IS actually a good idea. Stop breathing in recycled air, and go out to where the elements are not man-made. Get the blood flowing, the heart pumping, and blast that music so loud that thinking about your book is next to impossible. Give your brain a moment to think about something else. Trust me, it’s not cheating to place your attention elsewhere for a couple seconds.  

And there you have it! 10 tips to help you not rip out your hair and ram pencils into your eyeballs. Like I said before, not all these will work for you, nor should they (don’t forget, #5 is only in absolutely dire circumstances). During your writing hours, take time to introduce a couple of these into your schedule, and practice them till you find a groove that works well for you. I know your life is already busy, but trust me, your psyche will thank you in the long run!

With that said, I post new blogs (and vlogs, apparently) every Thursday, and if there is anything you’d like me to discuss, feel free to message me on here, or tweet me @ScarletteStone

Until next time,

Happy Writing!

[beverlyfdole]

30 Ways to Come Alive, and Not Just Exist

“Don't ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive and go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.” Howard Thurman

“The proper function of man is to live, not to exist. I shall not waste my days in trying to prolong them. I shall use my time.” Jack London

It’s so easy to get stuck in a rut. Maybe for a day or two. Or as weeks bleed into months and nothing much happens.

You just trudge along. You go through the motions, life is on autopilot.

It feels OK. But at the same time you have a small voice whispering at the back of your mind.

It says “It’s time to make a change”. Or “When will I start to truly live my life?”.

In this article you’ll find 30 suggestions and reminders that can help you to stop going through the motions. To disconnect the autopilot and to come alive again.

In both bigger and smaller ways.

I hope you’ll find something here that truly resonates with you.

1. Appreciate what you have.

When you are stuck in autopilot then it is very easy to forget to be grateful for what you actually have. The basic fundamentals that so many people lack, the people who like or even love you and the amazing wonders of the world.

2. Find the optimism.

Become more aware of the negative thoughts you have and don’t let them drag you down.

Instead, find one thing that is positive or helpful in the long run in the situation you are in. Then build on that.

The more you do it, the more this kind of thinking will become a habit and soon your mind will start reacting in a more positive and constructively imaginative way no matter what situation you find yourself in.

3. Have a day of smiling.

Instead of just going along in your usual way take a day off from that. And smile towards everyone you meet. The lady in the checkout line at the supermarket, your co-workers and the people closest to you.

How does that affect how you feel about yourself and your life? And how does it change your interactions and day?

4. Eat something else.

If you usually have the beef for lunch then go for the fish. Or the vegetarian dish. Or try something you have never eaten before.

5. Listen to something else.

One of the simplest ways to burst of out the same old rut is to find something new to listen to. Like with the food, take one or more steps outside of your comfort zone.

Your taste in music may not be as narrow as you believe – that has certainly been the case for me – and this simple thing can really expand your world.

6. Slow down.

When you slow down you naturally connect better with what is happening inside of you and outside you in this moment. What happens right now becomes more vibrant and not hidden behind thoughts racing in your mind about the past or a possible future.

Slow down to enjoy the moment and to not miss life while you are planning for the future or reliving the past.

7. Be your own best friend.

When you stumble, when you fall and when you have a dream then cheer yourself on. Instead of beating yourself up or talking yourself out what YOU deep down want.

It makes life so much lighter and happier. Check out the Self-Esteem Course for more on this.

8. Enjoy the small things.

This becomes easier when you slow down. There are so many small things happening all around that you may miss out on if you rush quickly to the next thing.

So take the time and use your attention to enjoy the small things. A long hug, a walk in the woods, a sunset or the full moon rising among so many stars in the night sky.

9. Be you.

What do you want out of life? What do you want more of in your life?

Take some time to think about it and just for a little while forget what your parents, partner or boss might want.

Sure, you might have to compromise on some things. But don’t let anyone else run your life and run over your dreams. This is in the end your life to live.

10. Forgive.

When you don’t forgive someone then you are stuck in negativity and suffering even if the person who wronged you may have moved on. So you don’t have to forgive to be a good person to someone else.

Do it for yourself. To be your own best friend. For your own happiness.

And for the rest of your years and decades on this earth.

11. Disconnect.

When we are online and sitting in front of a computer or a smart phone during so much of our day then it is easy to miss what else we can do with our time and attention.

So disconnect more to connect in real life more fully. Disconnect to find other activities you may want to try. Disconnect to just get a break and to come back on Monday or a few weeks later with renewed enthusiasm and energy.

12. Feel the pain.

Not all days will be great or fun. Suffering is a natural part of life too.

We lose people in our lives for different reasons. We lose our pets. We lose our jobs or get sick. And sometimes we just have a terrible day.

Don’t try to escape it but feel it. It is a part of living fully and the deeper the pain carves for a time the more joy and appreciation of life and what you have you’ll be able to hold later on.

13. Breathe.

Take a couple of minutes out of your day and sit down in a quiet spot. Then breathe a little deeper than usual and focus only on the air going and out out. Nothing else.

By doing so you calm your mind and body down and you reconnect sharply and fully with the present moment you're in.

14. Exercise.

You are not just a mind. You are a body too. So take care of it. Do some pushups. Go out walking or running for just a bit at first. Play a sport.

You’ll come alive more and your mind will become more centered and focused.

15. Find your passion.

Painting. Making and performing music. Writing. Playing soccer. Helping people out. Traveling. Being the best parent you can be.

Or something entirely else. Explore what you are passionate about and make sure you regularly free up time and space for it in your life.

16. Let go of filler-activities.

So how do you find more time for your passions and for finding new ones? By letting go of some filler-activities in your life.

Disconnect more often. And watch a few less hours of TV each week. Stop playing that videogame that you aren’t honestly that enthusiastic about.

If a book is not good you do not have to finish it. Don’t just go through the motions here either; rethink how you spend your free time and energy.

17. Travel.

I love traveling and seeing something new and I highly recommend it.

No matter if you go to a country half a across the world. Or discover a town or beautiful small spot in nature much, much closer to home.

There are, in my experience, usually more wonderful places nearby than you might think.

18. Take a chance.

Ask someone out for a date instead of hesitating or waiting around any longer. Start your own side-business based on your passion.

Start writing that book you have in your head and when you are done and if no publisher is interested at the moment then self-publish it on Kindle and other platforms.

19. Let go when you have no other way forward.

Sometimes things do not work out in a relationship, at a job or in your side-project or business. You try to fix it, to mend things, perhaps to grow it in a new direction.

Sometimes it helps. But not always. It just gets worse and worse. Then you may try one last time.

Or you move on because it is time to start over and to create something better.

20. Build and cultivate an environment that will support and lift you up.

The people you have close by and a bit further away from you and the information you let into your life will have a huge effect on your outlook and what you focus on and take action on. So choose wisely.

And spend more of your time and energy with the people and information that lift you up and makes you come alive.

21. Make someone you love come alive with an unexpected gift.

It could be a bouquet of flowers you went out picking in the spring grass. A note with a kind and loving message hidden in your partner’s or child’s lunchbox or book. Or a dinner that is ready as she or he arrives tired from work or school.

See him or her come alive with big smile and feel how you come alive too.

22. Take a different route home.

If you always take the same route home from school or work then do something different today. Walk, drive or ride your bike on a route where you have never been before.

See new things instead of spending that journey home on going over the day or your plans.

23. Declutter.

Simplify and change your environment to nudge your thoughts in a new and clearer direction too. Pick one small part of your home for example.

Then go through each item there and ask yourself: Have I used this item in the past year?

If not, give the it away to charity or a friend. Or you can simply throw it out.

24. Have a day of kindness.

Take a break from the criticism, sarcasm and irony. Just for a day.

And instead be kind, friendly and understanding as best you can to everyone you meet that day, including yourself. And see what happens.

25. Start with a morning ritual for clarity.

Wake up slowly. Perhaps reflect on a few things you are grateful for. Sit in silence and calmness for just a minute or two before you start your day.

Setting the tone for the rest of your day like this makes it easier to stop, reflect and to enjoy and appreciate what happens as you move through it.

26. Face a fear.

You don’t have to leap right into it at full speed. Instead, if that feels too scary, take one small step forward. Then another one.

It might be both scary and exciting but not so uncomfortable that you back down.

27. Spend your weekend in a way you usually don’t.

If you usually stay at home and don’t do much besides reading and watching a movie or two then fill your next weekend with a few activities you rarely or never do.

Like going on a trip. Hiking. Going down to the pub or a restaurant and drinking the finest beers or wines in company of a good friend.

If you usually fill your weekends with activities away from home consider just taking it easy with a book on the couch.

28. Run in the rain.

Do something that might not feel like something you would do. When everyone else are happy to be inside and watching TV under a blanket as the rain hits the windows lace up your shoes.

And go out running for a few minutes while feeling every drop hitting you.

29. Free up some time for lazying around or having fun.

It is easy to get lost in just serious thoughts or in being productive. To not make room in your schedule for much more than that.

But you may need something else from time to time and so make room for that too. It could be a tickle-fight. Or simply lying in the grass for a while doing nothing and watching the clouds drift by.

30. Just do something new.

I have already mentioned eating, listening etc. as areas where you can do something new. Don’t just stop there though. Think outside the frame I set in this article.

Do something new, no matter what you are interested in.

The important thing is that you take a look at where you are or what you are curious about and then explore or expand upon one thing and see how it makes you feel.

How it makes you come alive with a smile again.

[beverlyfdole]

30 Ways to Come Alive, and Not Just Exist

“Don’t ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive and go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.” Howard Thurman

“The proper function of man is to live, not to exist. I shall not waste my days in trying to prolong them. I shall use my time.” Jack London

It’s so easy to get stuck in a rut. Maybe for a day or two. Or as weeks bleed into months and nothing much happens.

You just trudge along. You go through the motions, life is on autopilot.

It feels OK. But at the same time you have a small voice whispering at the back of your mind.

It says “It’s time to make a change”. Or “When will I start to truly live my life?”.

In this article you’ll find 30 suggestions and reminders that can help you to stop going through the motions. To disconnect the autopilot and to come alive again.

In both bigger and smaller ways.

I hope you’ll find something here that truly resonates with you.

Appreciate what you have. When you are stuck in autopilot then it is very easy to forget to be grateful for what you actually have. The basic fundamentals that so many people lack, the people who like or even love you and the amazing wonders of the world.

Find the optimism. Become more aware of the negative thoughts you have and don’t let them drag you down. Instead, find one thing that is positive or helpful in the long run in the situation you are in. Then build on that. The more you do it, the more this kind of thinking will become a habit and soon your mind will start reacting in a more positive and constructively imaginative way no matter what situation you find yourself in.

Have a day of smiling. Instead of just going along in your usual way take a day off from that. And smile towards everyone you meet. The lady in the checkout line at the supermarket, your co-workers and the people closest to you. How does that affect how you feel about yourself and your life? And how does it change your interactions and day?

Eat something else. If you usually have the beef for lunch then go for the fish. Or the vegetarian dish. Or try something you have never eaten before.

Listen to something else. One of the simplest ways to burst of out the same old rut is to find something new to listen to. Like with the food, take one or more steps outside of your comfort zone. Your taste in music may not be as narrow as you believe – that has certainly been the case for me – and this simple thing can really expand your world.

Slow down. When you slow down you naturally connect better with what is happening inside of you and outside you in this moment. What happens right now becomes more vibrant and not hidden behind thoughts racing in your mind about the past or a possible future. Slow down to enjoy the moment and to not miss life while you are planning for the future or reliving the past.

Be your own best friend. When you stumble, when you fall and when you have a dream then cheer yourself on. Instead of beating yourself up or talking yourself out what YOU deep down want. It makes life so much lighter and happier. Check out the Self-Esteem Course for more on this.

Enjoy the small things. This becomes easier when you slow down. There are so many small things happening all around that you may miss out on if you rush quickly to the next thing. So take the time and use your attention to enjoy the small things. A long hug, a walk in the woods, a sunset or the full moon rising among so many stars in the night sky.

Be you. What do you want out of life? What do you want more of in your life? Take some time to think about it and just for a little while forget what your parents, partner or boss might want. Sure, you might have to compromise on some things. But don’t let anyone else run your life and run over your dreams. This is in the end your life to live.

Forgive. When you don’t forgive someone then you are stuck in negativity and suffering even if the person who wronged you may have moved on. So you don’t have to forgive to be a good person to someone else. Do it for yourself. To be your own best friend. For your own happiness. And for the rest of your years and decades on this earth.

Disconnect. When we are online and sitting in front of a computer or a smart phone during so much of our day then it is easy to miss what else we can do with our time and attention. So disconnect more to connect in real life more fully. Disconnect to find other activities you may want to try. Disconnect to just get a break and to come back on Monday or a few weeks later with renewed enthusiasm and energy.

Feel the pain. Not all days will be great or fun. Suffering is a natural part of life too. We lose people in our lives for different reasons. We lose our pets. We lose our jobs or get sick. And sometimes we just have a terrible day. Don’t try to escape it but feel it. It is a part of living fully and the deeper the pain carves for a time the more joy and appreciation of life and what you have you’ll be able to hold later on.

Breathe. Take a couple of minutes out of your day and sit down in a quiet spot. Then breathe a little deeper than usual and focus only on the air going and out out. Nothing else. By doing so you calm your mind and body down and you reconnect sharply and fully with the present moment you’re in.

Exercise. You are not just a mind. You are a body too. So take care of it. Do some pushups. Go out walking or running for just a bit at first. Play a sport. You’ll come alive more and your mind will become more centered and focused.

Find your passion. Painting. Making and performing music. Writing. Playing soccer. Helping people out. Traveling. Being the best parent you can be. Or something entirely else. Explore what you are passionate about and make sure you regularly free up time and space for it in your life.

Let go of filler-activities. So how do you find more time for your passions and for finding new ones? By letting go of some filler-activities in your life. Disconnect more often. And watch a few less hours of TV each week. Stop playing that videogame that you aren’t honestly that enthusiastic about. If a book is not good you do not have to finish it. Don’t just go through the motions here either; rethink how you spend your free time and energy.

Travel. I love traveling and seeing something new and I highly recommend it. No matter if you go to a country half a across the world. Or discover a town or beautiful small spot in nature much, much closer to home. There are, in my experience, usually more wonderful places nearby than you might think.

Take a chance. Ask someone out for a date instead of hesitating or waiting around any longer. Start your own side-business based on your passion. Start writing that book you have in your head and when you are done and if no publisher is interested at the moment then self-publish it on Kindle and other platforms.

Let go when you have no other way forward. Sometimes things do not work out in a relationship, at a job or in your side-project or business. You try to fix it, to mend things, perhaps to grow it in a new direction. Sometimes it helps. But not always. It just gets worse and worse. Then you may try one last time. Or you move on because it is time to start over and to create something better.

Build and cultivate an environment that will support and lift you up. The people you have close by and a bit further away from you and the information you let into your life will have a huge effect on your outlook and what you focus on and take action on. So choose wisely. And spend more of your time and energy with the people and information that lift you up and makes you come alive.

Make someone you love come alive with an unexpected gift. It could be a bouquet of flowers you went out picking in the spring grass. A note with a kind and loving message hidden in your partner’s or child’s lunchbox or book. Or a dinner that is ready as she or he arrives tired from work or school. See him or her come alive with big smile and feel how you come alive too.

Take a different route home. If you always take the same route home from school or work then do something different today. Walk, drive or ride your bike on a route where you have never been before. See new things instead of spending that journey home on going over the day or your plans.

Declutter. Simplify and change your environment to nudge your thoughts in a new and clearer direction too. Pick one small part of your home for example. Then go through each item there and ask yourself: Have I used this item in the past year? If not, give the it away to charity or a friend. Or you can simply throw it out.

Have a day of kindness. Take a break from the criticism, sarcasm and irony. Just for a day. And instead be kind, friendly and understanding as best you can to everyone you meet that day, including yourself. And see what happens.

Start with a morning ritual for clarity. Wake up slowly. Perhaps reflect on a few things you are grateful for. Sit in silence and calmness for just a minute or two before you start your day. Setting the tone for the rest of your day like this makes it easier to stop, reflect and to enjoy and appreciate what happens as you move through it.

Face a fear. You don’t have to leap right into it at full speed. Instead, if that feels too scary, take one small step forward. Then another one. It might be both scary and exciting but not so uncomfortable that you back down.

Spend your weekend in a way you usually don’t. If you usually stay at home and don’t do much besides reading and watching a movie or two then fill your next weekend with a few activities you rarely or never do. Like going on a trip. Hiking. Going down to the pub or a restaurant and drinking the finest beers or wines in company of a good friend. If you usually fill your weekends with activities away from home consider just taking it easy with a book on the couch.

Run in the rain. Do something that might not feel like something you would do. When everyone else are happy to be inside and watching TV under a blanket as the rain hits the windows lace up your shoes. And go out running for a few minutes while feeling every drop hitting you.

Free up some time for lazying around or having fun. It is easy to get lost in just serious thoughts or in being productive. To not make room in your schedule for much more than that. But you may need something else from time to time and so make room for that too. It could be a tickle-fight. Or simply lying in the grass for a while doing nothing and watching the clouds drift by.

Just do something new. I have already mentioned eating, listening etc. as areas where you can do something new. Don’t just stop there though. Think outside the frame I set in this article. Do something new, no matter what you are interested in. The important thing is that you take a look at where you are or what you are curious about and then explore or expand upon one thing and see how it makes you feel. How it makes you come alive with a smile again.