18 November 2015

The Feel Better List

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We all know these moments in life. When the mood isn't at its best. Sadness is a part of life, and it would be a mistake to think happiness is a state of constant pleasure and joy. I do think happy people learn to be more resilient in the face of harder moments of life. Here is a feel better list for you, because we might all need a bit of it these days.


  • Watch a funny video and laugh, of this therapeutic, innocent laughter that makes the world a little bit better.

  • Spend a few hours in another world: read fiction, watch a good film or TV series, play a video game.

  • Carve yourself some me-time: a good cup of tea, a nice dinner, a warm bath.

  • Reach out to the people you love, to confide perhaps, or just for a nice talk, to connect.

  • Write it down: what you have in mind, on your heart, or something completely unrelated. Writing is therapeutic, no matter how good a writer you are.

  • Take a minute to admire something beautiful: a sunset, a monument, a landscape you pass by...

  • See the good: there is some good in any situation, but instincively, we focus on the problems. Why not focus on the good that comes out of your hardship: the lessons you've learned, the people who supported you...

  • Move your body: go for a walk, a run, a fitness session, dancing, anything that moves your body and gets you this exhilarating feeling of healthy exhaustion.

  • Be mindful for a moment, enjoy the now: it can be a short meditation (guided if that's new for you) or simply be there as you do a daily chore. Feel the warm water on your hands as you wash the dishes, smell the coffee as you prepare it in the morning...

These are some of the things I do when I feel down. It doesn't always makes the pain, sorrow or anxiety disappear, but it helps getting better, little by little. It forges resilience and grit, as we get through these inevitable low moments that also make life worth living.

2 comments:

  1. Thinking of Paris. I'm from Boston, so I feel like I have a very small understanding of what you might be feeling right now. Take heart in knowing that out of the fear and anger and sadness, small good things grow and will eventually overwhelm everything else. After the marathon bombing here, the love and strength within the city and outpouring of togetherness from around the world was really amazing. I hope you're feeling that now, too.

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    1. Thank you for your kind words! I remember our thoughts were with you after the Boston marathon bombing. It is true that we feel a strength here in Paris since last week, of love, support, cooperation and unity of all against terror, from all over the world. It helps keeping faith in humanity despite having seen its dark side. And enjoying little moments of daily life has somehow become even more important today :)

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