β€œHope
Smiles from the threshold of the year to come,
Whispering ‘it will be happier’…”
Tennyson

Sometimes we get to a place in life where we need a little bit of help to get through a rough patch. An extra bit of support and encouragement from someone who truly cares for nothing more than to see us safe, whole and happy.

Just before Christmas my counselor encouraged me to spend the next month focusing on self-care.

I nodded very sagely and agreed very nicely then got home and wondered: what does that mean?

I squirmed uncomfortably for a bit sincerely hoping it didn’t mean sitting in front of a mirror and chanting, “You’re so pretty. You’re so smart.”

Thank goodness, that’s not what she meant at all.

It turns out that self-care is simply doingΒ things that promote healing, peace and happiness in your own soul and body.

I’ve never really started a project like this, but I liked the sounds of it very much.

driftwood fence

My first idea was to drive to the beach with Bear. We walked in the sand, breathed deeply of salt-kissed air, and basked in sea breezes and dazzling sunshine.

My spirit was positively SOARING by the time we headed for home.

Gold Coast lifeguard station

For a few days all was well. I was bursting with all sorts of good ideas for self-care:

  • writing in my journal
  • walks in the sunshiny meadow
  • nap in the afternoon
  • cuddling with my dog, Luna

They were lovely and soul-nourishing things, things that eased anxious thoughts and built strength in my body. But then I had a relapse with my health, and my fevered, aching head had a dickens of a time coming up with good things.

So I came up with a Happiness Jar. In it I tuck slips of paper bearing self-care ideas. I asked my friends for their thoughts on the matter, and soon the jar was chockablock full of things like:

  • buy nail polish with sparkles
  • eat a cookie on a pretty plate
  • sit on the back porch and read one chapter of an old favorite book

Now, even when I’m too sick or tired to think of a happy thing, I’ve got a whole jar full of ideas to draw from. I’ve got another jar for Bear filled with options that make him grin, and our friend Mozzie emails us every day to make sure we’ve done at least One Happy Thing. πŸ™‚

It’s lovely to know that no matter how rough a day gets, there will always be at least one good thing to bring joy.

happiness jar

What are some things you do to care for yourself and your dear ones? I’d love to hear your ideas.