TRIED-AND-TRUE THINGS I DO WHEN I’M A HOT MESS
(Or When I Don’t Want To Become One)

DOING WHAT I LOVE even if it seems ridiculous or scary, even if I’m not perfect at it
READING anything that inspires, soothes, heals, illuminates, teaches, or creates longing for something better
WRITING  as sloppily and nonsensically as I want, with my favorite pen
DOODLING in my journal, on paper, tablet, napkin, etc.
CREATING with paints, music, etc.
GOING OUTSIDE to see, hear, smell, touch nature
MOVING MY BODY even if only a little bit
TALKING TO SOMEONE who listens and cares, including my Higher Power
SURROUNDING MYSELF WITH  INSPIRING IMAGES & MESSAGES in my house, on my phone, in nature, on the web, in a museum
MEDITATION using podcasts, iTunes, CDs, mp3s or YouTube videos
GETTING QUIET AND STILL worth the try, and doesn’t require perfect execution
GOING OR SOMEWHERE OR DOING SOMETHING NEW even if it’s just taking a different route in my own town, a movie by myself, a drive to a new coffee shop, roller skating
BREATHING deeply and slowly
PRACTICING EXCELLENT SELF CARE especially when I don’t feel like it
LISTENING to music, my breath, or rain or wind in the trees
SITTING IN MY FAVORITE SPOT by the window
REDIRECTING MY THINKING using affirmations like “All Is Well” or a spiritual text or immersing myself in something audible, like a compelling story. For this, I often go to http://thisamericanlife.org or http://snapjudgment.org
ENGAGING THE OTHER HALF OF MY BRAIN for me, the left side
MASSAGE  or affection from another human or pet
EMBRACING MY FEELINGS even if I have to fake it

SHARE WHAT WORKS FOR YOU!