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What makes you feel better about yourself when you''re down?

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Sorry you''re feeling down, Novel. Hugs from me too!

I''m actually having one of those, well weeks recently as well. Nothing seems right and I''m just tired of fighting the whole world.

What makes me feel good? I remind myself that at least I''m not fighting on my own, that this great, intelligent, gorgeous man loves me and I must deserve it somehow.

I like my figure. I take my skinny jeans out and wear them proudly because I know they look good on me. I like my blue/grey/green eyes and experiment with my make up. Nothing to cheer you up like a different look every morning. I went from scandinavian blond to cognac hair colour and I love it. DH says he somehow ended up with a brand new woman.
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I like it that my employees trust me and respect me. I''ve earned that on my own and it makes me feel good.

But most of all, I''ve got a huge, wonderful family; I''m young, I''m healthy and in love. and i''m thankful for that. It''s a lot.
 
Thanks for the hugs everyone!! I really appreciate it and I love how much you guys find to like about yourselves - or what you find on the internet to cheer you up! I should say, generally I''m not so down on myself. To answer Circe, and what I like about myself: I love my eyes, I normally like my hair (not this cut, I look like I have a wee bit of a mullet), and I like that I can make people laugh. I like that my boss thinks I''m good at what I do, that I love my job, that my students come home from our trips adoring me, and that my BF seems to love me no matter what. I''ve got it good, I know I do.

I guess today was one of those days (part of one of those weeks, months?) where the little things are getting to me. Just some chronic illness and family day to day stuff, nothing earth shattering or worth grief, but definitely deflated hopes and a feeling of starting over again.

Some of you really got to me with your responses and how heartfelt they were, so thanks...

Btw, I''m totally considering a pad of paper, country music, and shouting out on the subway that I love my body. I''m a little afraid the last one will get me groped or put into Bellvue, but I can say I was following PS advice!
 
Date: 12/1/2009 2:20:11 PM
Author: Haven
This reminds me of a game we used to play at sleepover camp called ''I LOVE MY BODY!''


Once during the summer, we''d go around the tent at night right before bed, and each girl shared one thing that she loved about her body. We had to be honest, and we couldn''t pass and say nothing. Then, when everyone had shared at least one thing we all screamed, together and as loud as we could: ''I LOVE MY BODY!'' It was pitch dark in the tent, and we were all lying in our own bunks, so it felt safe to be very honest, and we knew that we wouldn''t be accused of bragging for sharing.


It was fun because all of the other tents (boys and girls) could hear our collective yawp. And, whenever we heard another tent screaming it, it would instantly put us in a good mood remembering what a positive time it was when we got to play the game. I went to that camp for eight years, and I''m serious when I tell you that I think that little game really did have a lot of positive, lasting effects on my self-image.


If you have a youngish daughter, try it at her next sleepover.

Haven, I just had to say this is so wonderful for you to have had friends growing up that you discussed positive body image with! I had the opposite types of friends and all we did was talk about what we hated about our bodies! Probably why I still am stuck focusing on the negative after all these years!

Great ideas everyone and thanks for starting this Novel, as I too am having one of those days...er... months... and this thread really brightened my day!
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Magsy--It was wonderful. I think communal showering, preparing meals together, and sharing the responsibility for cooking, cleaning, and keeping camp beautiful for everyone makes for very close friendships. Sending me to camp every year was the best thing my parents ever did. (They went to the same camp, too, as will my future children.)
 
Watching COPS.
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(No seriously, it really does
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)
 
my dogs adore me, I mean adore me... my horses love me, even the grouch. Actually most horses like me/love me. I''ve had horses that no one could work with melt in my hand. That makes me feel pretty good. my family, my SO, and his family and my friends love me, even when I''m stressed, frayed, my hair is blech, I have no makeup and I''m just blah. Even if I can''t cook the simplest recipe like mashed potatoes, or mac and cheese... I can make the most complex recipes you can think of and do them well. I actually do well in the style of the Naked Chef... and that makes me feel pretty good. Knowing I took on losing 50 lbs and won makes me feel good. Knowing my little sister looks up to me makes me feel good too
 
I''ll paint my nails or do something that I CAN fix about how I look. I may hate my hips and my thighs, but darnit my nails look purty.

Shoe shopping also helps. I''m always the same size.
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If I''m especially down I''ll go for a walk and look at how beautiful nature is. It helps give me perspective an it''s exercise to boot!
 
Thanks Oddoneout, Packrat, and Haven.
 
I can do a number of things when I''m feeling bad about myself;

If it''s about my looks I put on clothes that make me feel good and pretty, even if they''re not practical. Lately this has been a navey blue summer dress with a full skirt and a nice belt and heels- it''s poofy and makes me feel pretty and girly.
I''ll also put make up on and do my hair nicely, even if I''m not going out that day.

If I''m feeling bad about other stuff I make myself usefull around the house and do things I know my Family or BF will appriciate, like cleaning, baking, laundry etc. It makes me feel go do do things for other people to make their life easyer, even if it''s just litle things like that. Making other people happy makes me happy.

If I''m sad about something I get me some hugs and snuggles, from pets or BF. It makes me feel loved.

If I''ve gone the dress up route, sometimes when BF get''s home I''ll ask if we can go out to the movies together. I like the movies, I like spending time with BF and I like feeling pretty in public.
 
When I feel down, I remember my wonderful husband.

If that doesn't work, I admire the wonderful jewelery from the wonderful husband.
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Wearing the sparklies always makes me feel pretty and sophisticated and spoiled in a good way.

And if we're totally being honest, sometimes I feel like my life is being wasted with hours of studying, but then I remember I'm attending the "med school of unspeakable prestige" as my professors like to call it. And I know it's totally pompous, but it makes me feel a little special to have made it here.
 
I just keep in mind that I''ll never be the prettiest/skinniest/funniest/smartest/richest/most athletic/most whatever person in the world. It''s just not possible-there are too many people out there! Even so, I''m plenty pretty/skinny/funny/smart/rich/athletic/whatever.
 
Date: 12/1/2009 5:28:31 PM
Author: OUpeargirl
I''ll paint my nails or do something that I CAN fix about how I look. I may hate my hips and my thighs, but darnit my nails look purty.

Oh my god, I knew someone would one day explain this habit of mine! No wonder I''ve done them twice in the past week and a half. Sigh.
 
A good workout. Purely to indulge in natures antidepressant-Endorphins. Personally, when I exhaust my body my mind can''t keep up the negative thoughts.

Back up Methods:
Pedicures
Champagne
Trashy Chick Lit Books

Wishing you the best!
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Date: 12/1/2009 5:52:42 PM
Author: Novel
Date: 12/1/2009 5:28:31 PM

Author: OUpeargirl

I''ll paint my nails or do something that I CAN fix about how I look. I may hate my hips and my thighs, but darnit my nails look purty.


Oh my god, I knew someone would one day explain this habit of mine! No wonder I''ve done them twice in the past week and a half. Sigh.


Haha I finally figured out why I do it so often one day! When my nails look nice I feel better, more put together.
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I am more than twice the median age here so my perspective is a little different I tend to focus on what I have accomplished in life (my nursing career, raising a son I can be proud of as a single mother) But it sometimes seems that my best years are behind me.
So every day I look for something to find joy in.
The mocking bird who lives in the tree by my back door.
The big orange moon that looks like I could reach out and touch it.
And you ladies (and gentlemen)so full of love and plans for the future as you start
your engaged and married lives.
I started lurking here a couple of years ago to learn about diamonds and gemstones,
and they are certainly something I enjo.
But you are why I stay.
Oh and I love my eyebrows.
They are a perfect shape and I never have to pluck them
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Date: 12/2/2009 9:29:22 AM
Author: MissMina
I am more than twice the median age here so my perspective is a little different I tend to focus on what I have accomplished in life (my nursing career, raising a son I can be proud of as a single mother) But it sometimes seems that my best years are behind me.
So every day I look for something to find joy in.
The mocking bird who lives in the tree by my back door.
The big orange moon that looks like I could reach out and touch it.
And you ladies (and gentlemen)so full of love and plans for the future as you start
your engaged and married lives.
I started lurking here a couple of years ago to learn about diamonds and gemstones,
and they are certainly something I enjo.
But you are why I stay.
Oh and I love my eyebrows.
They are a perfect shape and I never have to pluck them
31.gif
What a beautiful post, MissMina!
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