Comments on: Guest Post: Lean on Me

By: Anna

Anna — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 17:49:57 +0000

Great post, Lisa! When I’m down, I don’t do any reading. I write. I get it all down in paper, whether in journal form or as the start of a story or whatever. I figure I may as well put those feelings to good use.

By: trish

trish — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 15:36:45 +0000

I don’t know that books bring me out of a funk, but movies certainly can. For myself, when I’m feeling down, I have to let it out or it sits and festers inside of me, evolving into something akin to poison. Therefore, I pick out a movie I know will make me cry, and invariably the next day I feel much much better. But that’s just me.

By: Jen

Jen — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 02:21:41 +0000

What great ideas! I’m bookmarking this page for the next time I feel down. Thanks for writing this, Lisa.

To your friend:

I have a lot of experience with the blahs. I definitely think getting out of the house (girl’s night out) is a great idea. But if that isn’t possible, try a night in with some funny movies (my favorite is The ‘Burbs) or comedian that you love (maybe Ellen or Brian Regan).

As for books, I would definitely recommend Twilight if you haven’t read it. You will be so wrapped up in the story, you will forget that you felt bad in the first place.

I’m not very religious, but I have found that prayer and meditation helps. Sometimes all it takes is just asking God/higher power for more joy in your life. When I am good about doing this I do notice I feel so much better.

If all else fails and it continues, definitely make sure you go to your doctor. Sometimes there is a chemical reason for the blahs. I know for me it is monthly (pms). For others, it is constant.

Good luck! I hope you feel better.

By: Kris

Kris — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 20:04:02 +0000

My best recommendation is to get your hands on any book by Andrew Matthews. I also love listening to his audiotapes. I always go back to them. Well worth the cost!!!

Also, try looking into the online course called Awaken Joy. It’s awesome!!

By: Care

Care — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 19:11:37 +0000

Wow – what an outpouring of love and glad tidings and great ideas and fabulous book suggestions. Lovely way to cheer a friend is send the link to this post!

By: Heather

Heather — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 15:25:32 +0000

I feel for your blogger friend, and know just what it’s like. Recently I had the blues pretty badly for a couple of weeks. Some of the things that worked for me were finding someone to talk to, who would listen while I vented my frustrations, spending some time sitting out in the sunshine, and organizing my bookshelves. I was so down that I couldn’t even read, so instead I rearranged the shelves, and thought of all the great books that I had read, and that I would be able to read in the future. It also doesn’t hurt to spoil yourself a little during those sad times. I hope your friend is feeling better soon.

By: Tara R.

Tara R. — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 04:01:09 +0000

great post Lisa.

By: Michelle

Michelle — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 02:07:30 +0000

I’m one of those people who need to be reminded that people have been having worse problems for centuries, because it brings whatever my situation is to light and makes me realize that it’s just a part of life. Knowing that, I feel much more confident, and I know I’ll get over whatever is ailing me. So when I’m down I turn to ancient texts – The Iliad and The Aeneid have always been comforting, because so much is lost in those books and there are so many inspirational lines!

Sometimes, though, I’m so out of it that what helps the most is any well-written book. Anything that can take me out of myself for a while, so I’ll pick up something off my TBR pile, read a few pages, and if I don’t get into it, I’ll put it back in favor of something else. Once I find something that I can’t put down, I live through the characters. When the book is over, my problems miraculously feel less superior to everything else in my life (even if the book itself wasn’t sad or touching). Books heal even when they don’t mean to!

By: Literate Housewife

Literate Housewife — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 02:05:33 +0000

This was a wonderful post. One example of how reading helped me get out of my blues is The Onion, a newspaper satire. After 9/11, I think that we were all very down. My husband was getting the actual paper copy at the time. When the first edition post 9/11 arrived, it was just what we both needed. I laughed for the first time after reading it. It didn't make things better, but it helped shift my attitude. I definitely turn to humor in times like that for a pick me up.

By: ChristineMM

ChristineMM — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 01:48:22 +0000

When I am down if possible I rent or borrow an old movie that really will snap me out of the current day. Once it was “The Breakfast Club” another time, “Breakfast at Tiffany’s”. Older movies made before I was born often work, they are so different.

Other times I put on terrible reality TV to see what others are living like, something not very much like my life at all can lift me up.

Other times I’ll read a really good children’s book. When I feel generally sick of modern American culture I will immerse myself in really good, older children’s literature like Anne of Green Gables, Understood Betsy, or other good old stories that have good messages in them.

I have been avoiding reading much women’s fiction or chick lit as frankly some of it depresses me instead of making me feel entertained or relaxed. (Such as depressing Oprah book picks, books with abuse etc.)