Doom and Gloom.

Now that spring has finally decided to grace us with its presence doesn't mean that things are all sunshine and rainbows. True to the 'April showers bring May flowers' sentiments, I find that the doom and gloom of winter tends to seep right into the early weeks of spring. Grey, cold, wet days seem to affect more than just the commute to work.  So how do you beat the dreary feeling of gloom brought on by overcast skies and chilly breezes?

1.      Read.

It's been a long winter and the school year is wrapping up. Find a book you've been putting off because you've had too many academic articles to read, term papers to write, and finals to study for. It's amazing how relaxing this can be. Getting a chance to delve into a different world for pure entertainment is a great way to forget about the weather outside. Tip: Snuggle up with a cozy blanket and a warm beverage. Nothing better than feeling completely comfortable inside while you hear the rain hitting your window.

 

2.    DIY.

Has there been a project you've wanted to do? Maybe you've seen some interesting experiments or DIYs while surfing the internet. Now is the time to do them. Focus your energy onto something more than just Netflix and the internet. Be creative!  Look for things that you can make/ design that would liven up a space. At the end of your project you've learned how to create something nifty from simple items at home and the sense of accomplishment is one of the best to feel.

 

3.    Exercise.

Just because it's raining outside doesn't mean that you can't have a great workout inside. Now that all the major family dinner holidays are over, taking a couple minutes to an hour to focus on your health and wellbeing will definitely improve your mood. Although the murkiness of the outdoors tends to influence the laziness in people, spend the time you would on the couch doing a simple workout routine. There are tons of apps that can help you work up a sweat, even some that take only 7 minutes! And once you're all sweaty and drained, take a nice warm shower. Refreshing and invigorating.

 

4.   Go Out.

I know, I know, sometimes it's a real drag to go out when the weather is working against you but trust me when I say that after long periods of sunless days, your skin is itching to feel the outside air, even if it is bone chilling and gross. Get dressed up, make a date with your significant other or a bunch of friends and hit up a pub or go watch a movie, or grab dinner, pretty much anything to get you away from moping around at home. Plus there's always something amazing about the 'coming-home' feeling after a long night.

Even though the good days of spring seem like they'll never show up, just stay positive. Eventually patio season will arrive and with that comes summer. But in the mean time, the doom and gloom can only get you down if you let it, so fight back!

Try Something New.

Although things have been crazy in my life this past month, I have not turned my back on writing. I have been thinking about new ways to write and decided that not everything needs to be creative. So, I started working on editorial/opinion posts. The general goal of these posts are to provide tips and motivation on various topics such as ways to beat the gloomy spring feelings, or how to prep for an interview etc. I want to develop my writing personality and believe that having posts that lend some sort of advice to my readers will keep people interested.

I would love feed back and even post ideas!

My first will be coming up next!

Oops.

Busy month = failed post exercise! I will try again I promise.

But guess what! I got a big girl job!

001.

The slam of the trunk reverberated through the car, shaking the ice cubes in her iced coffee. She looked at the side mirror and watched as he came around the front of the car.

"You forgetting anything?" He bent over, sticking his head through the window, blocking the sun out with his back.

She shook her head, her sunglasses falling to her forehead. 

"Maybe," she sighed. She always felt like she was forgetting something.

"Well we're all set in the trunk. Last chance." He pushed off of her door and the sun flooded back in. 

The house in front of her look foreign. It was the first time she has ever seen it empty. All the doors were locked and blinds shut so no one could tell that no one was home. She decided to keep the porch light on. Even though they would be gone it made it seem like someone was still home.

Troy pulled open the driver's door, taking the map that was placed there and throwing it on her lap. 

She wasn't sure how much of a good idea this was. She didn't know how to read a map. And they would get into a fight as soon as he asked her for directions because he knew she didn't map read and he still insisted she be the trip compass.

She took the map and put it on the floor beside her sandals.

They would have to move soon. The sun was beginning to burn the skin on her arm. 

Troy looked at her, "You sure you're ready?"

"Let's just go." He always had double triple check before they did anything. It took all the spontaneity out of everything.

"Alright. Let's go," he smiled, ignoring her harsh tone. He turned the key in the ignition and the car shook once again, rumbling first before coming to steady life. 

"Say goodbye!" He waved to the empty house before switching into reverse. 

She pulled her sunglasses down and watched her family home move away from her. She didn't know when they would be back again, but she knew that she had to leave. 

Once they were out of the driveway Troy switch into drive and turned the wheel with his left hand, squeezing her knee with his right. 

"We'll be back" he said confidently. She wanted to push his hand off for it.

How could he possibly know that's what she'd want to do? Why would she ever want to go back?

"No," she said. "We won't." She reached down for her ice coffee and took a sip. She will never go back.