Mid Winter Revamp

 

Wild moody clouds are skudding past my windows while I write this article - the first in quite some time. There was one of those deliciously creepy fogs covering the countryside as I drove my children to the bus stop this morning, making the trees and cows loom blackly out of nowhere. And on my morning walk spider webs were shining dully with water droplets. Winter is a hauntingly beautiful, erratic, and very stunning time of year - so long as you can keep well rugged up !

 

But wintertime for many is also a time of mental struggle. Some commuters don't actually get to enjoy sunlight at all, with shorter days seeing them at work with sun up and home at sundown. The darkness, the cold, the wetness can all bring one down - so for all my female readers (and wonderful men who are so inclined) I want to journey down some ways we can make our winter malady so much brighter. The following are some great approaches to making yourself feel much brighter, more beautiful, and on top of the world. And of course, like all good mid century approaches to life, they are thrifty and practically cost less - another reason to put some zing in your steps !

 

1. Be kind to yourself

 

Stop comparing yourself to ANY celebrity - that includes Marilyn, Audrey and Grace as well as Jennifer Anniston or Scarlett Johansen ! Women are beautiful in all our wonderous shapes, sizes, colourings, creative dress senses, quirky interest loves and crazy shoe fetishes. Look at our amazing planet - Africa is nothing like Europe. Vanuatu is nothing like Tokyo. The pounding waves on the shore are full of wild untamed and ferocious beauty, and a gurgling mountain stream happy, spritely and joyful. If the entire world looked like New York (wonderful though I am sure that city is) we would all get bored of it pretty fast. Maybe it was some magazine editor who said that all women must look, act, believe and behave in a certain way, but I for one don't buy it. Just as our world is full of unique loveable places, BE UNIQUE LOVEABLE YOU!!! You are adorabe for all the qualities that make up you - not for being a Jennifer Anniston copy!

 

2. Know yourself

 

Make a list of all the wonderful things about you - what do you love most? What is your character like? What are your dreams and aspirations? What is it about who you are that makes you smile? Celebrate those things (sometimes I give myself a little 'cupcake and coffee' picnic in a beautiful place, just to honour being me!) Treating oneself for the simple reason of loving who you are can become a very spiritual and nourishing practise !

 

3. Day Spa at home

 

Grab your friends (or as I did over the winter school holidays, my children) and have a day spa at home. Put on some tranquil music, chill some wine (if your doing this child free!!), light some scented candles and delight in giving each other facials, massages, manicures and pedicures. Its a wonderful way to reconnect and banish the winter blues. You never know - you may find it becomes and seasonal pamper date !

 

4. Spread the colour love

 

Winter is renowed for its black. Black coats, black boots, black work attire....black black black !! Break this deadening cycle and be daring - wear a bright red lipstick, a big chunky burnt orange necklace, lash out and buy an aqua scarf, or what about some green frames for your glasses. The mid century was know for being vivaciously colourful - so go to it gals ! Lift your mood by splashing some colour around - and the good thing is, black goes with almost anything !

 

5. Believe in yourself

 

OK. This is where I fall down. But hey, I am only human. Confidence. Make no appologies for who you are. Find your favourite outfit and wear it - OK, it might just be grandmas going away dress and its way to over the top for the dinner with friends at the local, but who cares? If you love it, wear it, and wear it with pride. The first time I attempted wearing an 'unfashionable' 50's sundress down the street in Echuca 6 years ago, my heart was in my throat, but you know what? The more I took those chances and 'faked it till I maked it' the more I received compliments on what I wore and the more confidence in my own individuality I grew. OK, I still have times when I stupidly apologise for being me (gotta get out of that habit!), but the best way to grow your confidence, is to throw yourself into the ring and TRY!

 

6. Wear clothes you love

 

Wear what you know you look fabulous in, take a little extra time with your appearance and you will feel great all day. (Pajama days are best kept for the weekend anyhow !!!)

 

7. Surround yourself with positive people

 

Avoid those who bring you down, where possible. Enough said !

 

8. Get a good sleep

 

Nothing refreshes like the ideal 8 hours shut eye. Get a good night sleep and it will do wonders for your bodies health, your personal beauty and freshness of face, and of course, your winter mental health. And what could be better than snuggling under the covers on a rainy winters night anyhow - unless of course its snuggling under the covers with your special someone on a rainy winters night !

 

9. Smile

 

Smiling releases endorphins - did you know? This means that when you smile you get a dose of happy chemicals to lift your mood. So smile away - your co-workers, the guy at the train station, the gal serving you your late - everyone benefits from a smile, especially you !

 

10. Relax with some escapism

 

Books, movies, music - all have the power to lift the spirits. When the 'weather outside is frightful', be delightful inside with your favourite feel good. These things are all the better enjoyed with a friend too - share a book, a movie or a band with someone you can talk about it with later - you will double the enjoyment !

 

There you go lovely ones - put your mind to it and you can make the winter blues just that little bit brighter.....and really, spring is only another month away! Hang in there !