You may notice I tend to write a lot of positive posts, how to look after your mind, how to feel better, beating negativity etc etc. Now, I don’t do this because I’m sitting here with ribbons in my hair, singing along to musicals. But I write them because that’s what works for me. It keeps me motivated, allows me to check in with myself, and I like to think others like a positive read also.
But on the flipside, it’s ok to admit when we have shitty days. We all have those days where every idea we had to be productive goes out the window. The days where we say we will DEFINITELY be going to the gym, but instead we then spend the whole evening scrolling through ‘Andy from school’s photos,’ on social media. Because god forbid we don’t look through all those, even though we haven’t seen Andy for 8 years. Or those days where you spend hours looking up healthy recipes and meal plans, to then just order a Dominoe’s. And we have all experienced times where we plan a productive ‘day off’, to then just watch TV all day and feel cross eyed by the end of it.
But then why not ?! We need those days! We are hardworking multi functioning humans, with a lot going on. Our brains need that down time. But it is when those days start to become our routine, bad habits creep in, and our planned ‘lazy days off’, leave us feeling unmotivated, with zero energy, or any feel good feelings at the end of them. As I am currently off work on recovery from surgery, those days are easy to slip into, so after a 4 day stay over in ‘Rutsville’ I’m ready to find some balance again.
Knee surgery entails not a lot of going out, but also these cold months are inevitably the months many of us spend time indoors. Our days off from work, we plan lazy days in, but this doesn’t mean those days can only be filled with TV and endless scrolling through social media every time your at home, leaving our brains feeling like mush by the end of them. So I have devised a list of things to do for those during recovery, and for those feeling in a rut, who may want to add a little variation to their lazy days off. Here we go.
Podcasts-
I’m nowhere near as dedicated to listening to podcasts as I would like to be, but once you get into one, it’s a really nice change from just staring at a TV. They are entertaining and broaden your mind and a great night time listen, for those who don’t like reading. I am always looking for new podcasts to grab my attention, I’d recommend these old favourites;
Serial – An old one now, but still great, listen to a crime tale unwind, it had me hooked.
Ted Talks Daily– Interesting, motivating and will broaden your mind. Pick any subject your interested in, and prepare to feel empowered.
Crime Town- I am currently listening to this as I write, working my way through this gripping documentary, for the ears.
Read –
I love to read, but I became better at ordering new books and then looking at them lovingly as they sit on my bookshelf. But I’m breaking that bad habit and my latest reads are;
The Kind Worth Killing- Peter Swanson- I read this book in two days, crime thrillers as you might tell are my thing, if you’re looking for a psychological page turner, full of suspense and twists, this is the one. This is everything I hoped Girl on Train would be.
Happy- Fearne Cotton – An honest, insightful, intelligent read, which is a reminder that we never can tell who is suffering. It’s a positive book which reminds us all to slow down and look after ourselves.
Elanor Oliphant, is Completely Fine – Gail Honeyman– A chick flick, with humour and purpose. It’s about a 30 something girl, and her humdrum existence. So far I am enjoying this book, it’s a great escapism from reality, and I am loving her quirky character already.
Box Sets –
We all love a binge watch. I have given myself a set amount of ‘healthy binge time’ a day during recovery, as I love it, but my brain aches after a while and not in a good way. If you’re needing a new tv binge, the following I found impossible to turn off;
- The Jinx – The life of Robert Durst – A crime documentary with a twist, if you haven’t seen it. You need to.
- Big Little Lies – Girl power at its best.
- Line of duty – An extremely intense who done it, who doesn’t love one of those.
Although I still feel like I am the only human who’s yet to watch Game of Thrones. Am I missing out…
Research that Business idea
Remember that business idea you said you never had enough time to look into, or research. Well those two hours a day you just just spent watching repeats of ‘friends’ or facebook scrolling, take an hour out and read a business book, jot ideas down, make a mood board. This is something I do once a week at the moment and want to do a lot more of.
Be Creative
Draw, write, paint, make something, do anything you enjoy, it does wonders for the mind. I am currently printing off all my favourite photos into a scrap book/ album. I no longer want the majority of the photos I own to be on Facebook and not in my home. Its strangely therapeutic and relaxing creating your own photo album.
Wall Art
Buy or create a print or a motivational quote that means something to you and frame it. I have put one above my sofa, seeing as that’s the place at the moment that I tend to have my many ‘I cant do it’ moments. So this was the perfect place to hang up a little motivational reminder for me.
Create a Mood Board
Go onto Pinterest and create your own mood board of anything you are interested in. Whether it’s new recipes you want to try, decor, fashion, travel. I am moving home in a couple of months, so my mood board is made up of new decor ideas for our new place. There are so many pretty things on Pinterest and, amazing ideas to feel inspired.
Meditate
UNPLUG. Turn off phones, radio, TV, and relax. I have been doing this every night during my physiotherapy exercises, I set the scene by lighting my favourite incense, playing calming music, (ocean or spa music is my favourite,) and I take some deep breaths. I always feel good after and now I can’t imagine not doing this as part of my evening routine. Try it, if you don’t already. Give your brain some time out. It will thank you.
And of course, carry on doing what works for you, what you enjoy to do on your lazy days off, but if like me without realising it, you had been caught up in bad habits for so long, not realising why your feeling fed up, bored or sluggish, after what was planned to be a ‘perfect lazy day in’. Then try some new things. Now that I am aware of my bad habits, that have been hijacking my happiness. I’m making better choices on my recovery days, and taking better care of my mind.
So I’m off, to turn off my phone, put on some new pjs, light some candles, eat a giant chocolate bar, and sink into a new book.
What are you doing for your mind this weekend ? xx
Tomorrow Girl 