{"id":2372,"date":"2017-04-05T00:04:52","date_gmt":"2017-04-05T04:04:52","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.princetonbookreview.com\/blog\/?p=2372"},"modified":"2024-05-29T09:51:06","modified_gmt":"2024-05-29T13:51:06","slug":"carpe-diem-seize-day","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.princetonbookreview.com\/blog\/carpe-diem-seize-day\/","title":{"rendered":"Carpe Diem – Seize The Day!"},"content":{"rendered":"

T<\/span>he books we read, much like other things in life can do more than entertain us. Every so often, toxic thoughts build up, or things become not so perfect for a while and unhealthy feelings start taking up more space than usual in our psyche.<\/p>\n

I’m not happy when this happens –\u00a0\u00a0I love being productive and I hate it when everything\u00a0is a struggle. I don’t know about you, but even my casual days require being present, so in my humble opinion, everyone needs a go to –\u00a0pick me<\/strong> up<\/strong>. \u00a0And since\u00a0I\u2019m not much for sitting on the fence,\u00a0I always say, let\u2019s hurry and get the good vibrations going again .<\/p>\n

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When I need to chase that cynical, inner voice away and give myself a mental lift- several things work.<\/em><\/span><\/h3>\n

For starters, indulgence.\u00a0Now, my younger self usually \u201cover indulged\u201d on alcoholic beverages followed by consuming way too many un-healthy snacks and sweets. And while that worked then – through the years I\u2019ve honed in on better ways.<\/p>\n

Here are some of my favorites mood changing fixes.<\/em><\/span><\/h3>\n

Fix #1 \u00a0– Cooking<\/span><\/h2>\n

For me, it often starts small and expands as I get totally into it. I use every inch of available space in my not so big kitchen, and what starts out as neat and organized, fast becomes cluttered and messy. I love every crumb and don\u2019t worry about it.<\/p>\n

Fix#2 \u00a0– Organize<\/h2>\n

Like cooking, the beauty of organizing something, is it breaks your\u00a0routine and leads to a very happy outcome; a neat closet, shelf, cabinet, drawer or room.<\/p>\n

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Fix #4 – Change of routine<\/span><\/h2>\n

A mini vacation to a foreign country isn\u2019t always feasible \u2013 but restructuring your routine and adding some movement is. Resist the temptation to hang out with the TV.<\/p>\n

Say yes to sunny weather and\u00a0mixing things up. Spend some time in the sun or take a yoga class. \u00a0I also love adult coloring books and big puzzles to shift my focus.<\/p>\n

Fix #5 – \u00a0Go somewhere<\/h2>\n

I\u2019m lucky. I live in a city with too many museums to count. It\u2019s absolutely impossible to trek through a museum and maintain the blahs.\u00a0Even beastly moods go away when you are surrounded by calm and beauty.<\/p>\n

No museum? Personally, I can get the same buzz from\u00a0movies or theater. And\u00a0it’s rare when\u00a0a new pair of shoes or a statement necklace doesn’t substantially lighten my\u00a0mood.<\/p>\n

Fix #6 \u00a0– Volunteer<\/h2>\n

It\u2019s true what they say. You\u2019re perspective shifts and you get out of your rut when you help others; especially those less fortunate. \u00a0So dig deep, and\u00a0help improve someone else\u2019s life; yours will get better too – guaranteed.<\/p>\n

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Fix # 7 – Indulge<\/h2>\n

A huge tub, soothing lavender oils, and lots of bath salts that soften and detoxify, go perfectly with a glass of wine. I know this to be true because this is my personal favorite.<\/p>\n

Fix #8 \u00a0– Read<\/h2>\n

And finally, I have stacks of untouched books in my apartment \u2013 the\u00a0timeless, classic way to change your mood.<\/p>\n

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Click here to read the jacket covers and our review of these books<\/span><\/em><\/h3>\n

A Man Called Ove<\/a><\/span> by Fredrik Backman<\/p>\n

The Rosie Project<\/a><\/span> by Graeme Simsion<\/p>\n

Whiskey and Charley<\/span><\/a> by Annabel Smith<\/p>\n

Where’d You Go Bernadette\u00a0<\/span><\/a> by Maria Semple<\/p>\n

My Not So Perfect Life<\/a> <\/span>by Sophia Kinsella<\/p>\n

Happy Reading!<\/p>\n

Linda<\/p>\n

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