As my Facebook friends are aware I've been feeling very down lately, probably exacerbated by Christmas time, I'm not a fan of the festive season for various reasons. As a result of this and some unexpected weight gain I've been feeling utterly unvintage and unable to do much else but sit on the sofa eating biscuits and watching films. I know, I know, not helpful.
I've been trying to pull myself out of this for a while but haven't been able to do it alone and so am taking some affirmative action in the form of low dose anti-depressants and some counselling sessions. Ugh. Unfortunately things always get worse before they get better though and I'm currently so tired I can barely dress myself let alone set my hair and do my make up. Most unlike me to be honest, seeing as I can usually get this stuff done through a depression or even a fierce hangover. I almost feel bad about my smug posts about my 15 minute getting ready routine on The Fedora Lounge now! Almost. :-P
I have to admit this cold weather doesn't help with maintaining a vintage look and I've been spending most of my time in a hoodie and, when out, my "drug dealer look" parka. I love my parka - it is warmer than any sleeping bag - but it is a label and style favoured by the Hackney miscreant and I do get some odd looks wearing it.
See my glamorous non vintage look here (the cats pulled down the curtains, again...):
Anyway - this isn't a post for sympathy, I don't really feel comfortable with that and I'm well on my way to feeling more alive, it is actually a post for motivation. I need to get my vintage mojo back.
As such I am committing myself to writing a vintage / beauty based blog each week. It is a way to get me into my vintage garb and to put my make up on and do my hair. I know I'll feel better once I do. I need some other motivators though, so please let me know your tips on getting out of a fug. All suggestions welcome.
And to end - a pic of the chaps I adore who are taking care of me with lots of love and will be my company over the bleak festive season:
I bought a duck for Christmas dinner, so no doubt myself and the purrballs will be well fed!
It doesn't always work, but if you take baby steps it can change your habits. Like if you just want to watch movies and eat junk all day, do that (to a point) but also force yourself to do one extra thing, like paint your nails. Then the next day do a couple more small things like that. It can put you in a better mood where you feel like doing more and more.
ReplyDeleteGoing on walks also makes me feel better too. They make you get out of the house, and the endorphins will make you feel better
I definitely need more exercise and when the AD side effects (extreme lethargy to the point of sleeping 14 hours a day) wear off I intend to start walking a lot more.
ReplyDeleteI tidied the house yesterday and tackled the tottering ironing pile today so thats helping.
Baby steps, definitely but good. :-)
I love it when bloggers reveal their less than vintage sides in dodgy clothes :-) Makes me feel much better that I'm not perfectly vintage all the time.
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry you are a tad down at the mo and I'm sure Christmas doesn't help this. I hope you have friends you'll see over Christmas.
I find blogging is a fab way of getting me motivated with my look as I don't want to talking the talk but not walking the walk. I don't know if it will help but I write Finishing School over at Lottie Loves and lots of people have said it's helped them. Everything I write in it helped me get over depression and return to my glamorous ways xxx
P.S. my best friend/roommate has the same color cats http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yYaI27ox-VQ/TIr8FjsccTI/AAAAAAAAALs/ZTv_4kwjBsw/s320/101_0421.jpg ;)
ReplyDeleteH'mm... I know what you mean about not being a fan of Christmas; me neither.
ReplyDeleteI'm also trying to get myself to a better place emotionally and psychologically and keep thinking there's only a few days of this horrid old 'bad 2010' left.. roll on 'good 2011'.
things will be better next year, keep making your plans for good things and enjoy your duck!!
Pardon my being so bold as I'm a brand-new reader...but...I think you're spot-on with those pills. *haha! I, too, am relying on pharmaceuticals, 1 feline and 1 giant parakeet right about now...pathetic?
ReplyDeletewe don't care! because of the chemicals! *haha! See how that works?
* ; )
And I agree with Betty2Tone about doing your nails...that always makes me feel better too...
You look glam even in a parka and no make-up dear x
ReplyDeleteAlthough I agree with Penny Dreadful that you look really great even dressed down, I TOTALLY relate to you. Just know you're not alone. xoxo
ReplyDeleteYou DO look glam in your parka - maybe like a vintage girl going to work in the frozen north? I hope once your meds settle in you'll feel better. And from this week the days are on the turn, and there'll be a tiny bit more daylight every day, which has to be good :) xxx
ReplyDeleteI giggle'd a bit of how you named your parka look; the "drug dealer look".. Still; you don't look bad at all!
ReplyDeleteI wish you all the best, missy! I know how it feels! We row the same boat.
You have absolute adorable cats by the way! They are beautiful!
I cannot wait to read your weekly beauty posts. I think you are right, it will be just the ticket to motivate you. But, on the same note, don't feel obliged. That can make you turn against something if you feel you "have" to do it. Which is pants. What is not pants though, is your parka, makeup-less shot. You still look a treat.
ReplyDeleteChin up chicken. Once the snow and forced merriness has buggared off - you will soon be back on track :)
Lottie - I'm entering the finishing school and am off to bed with a pad and pencil for my 6 things.
ReplyDeleteLaura - those cats are lovely! I wish I could have more but my place just isn't big enough.
Claire - I'm struggling to think of anyone who has had a great 2010 - it has been universally craptastic
Hope - lo9ve the name, I have hope that a short course of pharms might be just what I need. I'm not sure why I waited so long really.
Pennt, Borness, Mrs E and the lovely Lin - thank you muchly my loves.
Langirl - thank you too, yes, Jan uary will bring with it new hope and a new year to start afresh.
xxx
Pennt and Borness? My apologies Penny and Baroness. I feel my snifter of port may have been a tad too large ths evening.
ReplyDeleteLike the other girls above already said, you always look great, not like that mather when you dont feel the same way, either it is on the inside or the outside.
ReplyDeleteI hate this christmas bullshit, where everything is about exchanging money with eachother, and trying to make it "all about the family" when most of the families are screwed up, one way or another. But nuff said about that.
I think you should go for a walk. Somewhere u like to go, try to see the pretty things, either it is clothes, china with flowers or just birds at a river. December is soon over. Try to tell you to start new next year, I bet u look fabolous in 2011, as u did 2010!
So, hope u have a wonderful weekend and pet those cuties for me, i miss my cat as hell!
XOXO
I am the same. I'm getting less vintage inspired by the day. But i tend to find this always happens in the winter. I find it's been a downhill spiral since september and now its thick tights, biker boots and massive coat as standard uniform. Plus, yeah... the eating thing. I feel pretty much hideous and hardly any of my clothes fit properly at the moment.
ReplyDeleteBut, like someone else said, just even having a nice bath, doing your nails or taking an hour to set your hair can do wonders for the self esteem.
I hope you feel better soon lady. And those kitties look perfectly snugglable company for christmas. x
I can't think of anything to add that anyone else hasn't already said.
ReplyDeleteBe kind to yourself and baby steps. x
Yes! I find baby steps always make a difference. One small thing, and then reward yourself with something wonderful. And most importantly be kind to yourself, as these things take time :)
ReplyDeleteI know that feeling all to well and I've actually found trying to put a "brave face" on for the blog to be really helpful in the past.
ReplyDeleteI also feel your weight gain pain. I've put on an embarrasing amount of weight this year and am determined to shift it, I always feel so much happier when I exercise and drink less so I'm comitting to that.
I hope you feel better soon sweetie, and if it's any consolation you look annoyingly cute in that parka!
So many of us feel the same way and I am not sure if it is the pressure of Christmas with the declining economy, the cold or perhaps the lack of sunlight during these months.
ReplyDeleteAnyhow, like you I take my meds, and definately call my puppies my living prozac lol! They can always make me feel better!
Just know that I look forward to reading your blog always ... so you touch the lives of people and I am sure you don't can't even imagine how many people check in with you daily for a smile!
Feel Better xoLorixo
You have already taken the biggest step by asking for help.
ReplyDeleteCounselling in my opinion is brill and I am sure it will help you find the you you feel you have lost.
Be kind to your self, indulge in the biscuits and the films but try to do one thing each day that makes you feel glad, happy, positive and helps those wonderful endorphins do their amazing job.
Come the new year I am sure you will start to feel more positive, you are not alone keep blogging and taking baby steps, warmest regards xx
going thru much the same here.winter can fucking bite me. but...some days it takes a break and you will start to do your hair again.
ReplyDeleteHi Lisa,
ReplyDeleteI am so glad that there is someone in this world at this moment in time that can openly speak as you did in this great post! When I read it, I was saying...yes,Yes,and YES! I'm not alone and I love the fact that the idea of finding a cozy chair,eating biscuits,etc. is just perfectly wonderful on a Holi-Day.
I hope you won't take this wrong but it's comforting to know that I'm not alone in these thoughts. I truly love Duck and was going to make one as well. However, I chose a ham it's easier for me,I'm completely lethargic aka, lazy. So I guess my goose is cooked..so to speak,;) Thanks for being Real at a Tinsel time of year.
Best,
Elise x
Vintage IS hard. It takes effort, and I know sometimes I find the thought of getting dressed in the morning daunting sometimes. I think it isn't a crime (of fashion) if you don't want to get dressed in vintage some days. It's a choice, after all, and we have many options.
ReplyDeleteSo I say, take a break and don't feel bad about it. You'll be back up on the horse in no time!
Awww - thank you so much my lovelies. I actually had a great day today. I wet to meet a friend who is living outside of London and that gave me a reason to set my hair and do my make up and generally pull myself together.
ReplyDeleteI think I have been spending too much time alone indoors and whilst that is healing to a degree it can also just exacerbate the loneliness at this time of year.
I had some great thrift shop buys too. Old friends and bargains = a great combination. :-)
Christmas is tough, and
ReplyDeleteif any consolation you're not alone. Not only am I pretty gloomy, but I too bought duck for the Xmas dinner. Unlike you though, I don't have the company of any lovely furry soul, and that's one of the things that I wish for most in life. So you see, you're still among the lucky ones. Give your purrls a kiss from me!
I'm sorry to hear you've got a bit of winter gloom!
ReplyDeleteWhen I'm feeling miserable, I write a list of 3 things every day that I can be grateful for - no matter how small or silly they might seem! Even if all you can be thankful for is good knickers and a nice sandwich for lunch, it stops you thinking of the negative for just long enough to break a cycle of downward thoughts.
Hope you feel more festive soon!
Miss P xx