<p>It seems that several students on CC are having a tough time lately.
Its not only grey and chilly outside, but they are feeling overwhelmed with the changes in their lives, not always positive.</p>
<p>However- life is change & everyone has to learn to find a way to retain their footing amidst unexpected or even planned for , but stressful events.</p>
<p>Ive had a great deal of change in my own life- and while a few of the coping strategies that Ive tried I wouldn’t recommend- Ive found reading inspirational books, to be meaningful and long lasting.</p>
<p>I especially like memoirs, like Jane Vonnegut Yarmolinsky’s account ( Angels without Wings) of when her struggling family of 5 became 9 after her nephews became orphaned when their parents died seperately in unrelated events .</p>
<p>Or novels like The Color Purple, ( by Alice Walker) which was recommended to me years ago, but I still find it very moving and ultimately uplifting as to the resilence of man.</p>
<p>If reading seems like too much work- watching a funny movie can be very theraputic.
One of my favorites is A fish called Wanda. Being There with Peter Sellers had me rolling on the floor.</p>
<p>Anyone else have any strategies they would like to share?</p>
<p>Remembering that everyone has gone through a rough patch from time to time, that it isn’t YOU, but just life that is messy sometimes</p>
<p>That timing isn’t always what we want, but if we shut down and close ourselves off, you might miss that opportunity walking right in front of you</p>
<p>If you walk around all sad and grumpy and moody, no one wants to be around you, go by the old sake fake it till you make it- half of feeling good is just smiling and laughing and putting on a front- most people do that anyway at some point</p>
<p>Do for others- find something you can do to help someone else- vollunteering can do wanders to get you out of feeling sorry for yourself, and can distract for a time</p>
<ol>
<li>Chocolate</li>
<li>If chocolate doesn’t work, shopping.,</li>
<li>A decadent midday nap.</li>
<li>Hang in there. It will get better.</li>
</ol>
<p>bethievt, so true! My escapes, other than what has already been mentioned is taking a long walk, taking a drive, lighting a nice fragrant candle, and going on a day trip which I usually do with DH. A day trip that is somewhere new and fun really works wonders (sometimes I feel like I was on a short vacation). Also, going to the hairdresser or getting a manicure is a nice way to escape for an hour or two.</p>
<p>Great escape for my kids and DH are sporting events and camping.</p>
Being There with Peter Sellers had me rolling on the floor.</p>