Coping with bad days by remembering a few of my favorite things

Moving is tough. Especially when you move far away from your friends and family. Sure you can call or Skype, but the lack of physical connection can suck. It's especially tough to be new to an area when you're having a bad day. Your regular support system isn't there (physically) to help you out. But you've got to stay positive because eventually things will work out. In the meantime, you have to get in touch with your inner Julie Andrews and think of a few of your favorite things. Here are some if mine:

1) My puppy.

Biden being playful

Biden sitting pretty

There is literally nothing that brightens my day like my puppy. He is the cutest dog in the world. 

Grown men will stare at him, mesmerized by his cuteness and say things like, "Damn, that dog is adorable!" or "I don't usually like small fluffy dogs, but that one is really cute!" or "Oh my god, that is the cutest dog in the world. No, I'm serious, he is so cute."

I'm pretty sure my baby is the key to world peace. He is the only species to charm Handsome's older, larger, grumpy dog.

My dog is so special to me I wanted him to have an important name, so I named him after two great mean from Pennsylvania. VP Joe Biden (born in Scranton) and my grandfather. We call Biden Paul, "B," for short, and he never fails at cheering me up.

Still my favorite lipglosss. Subtle color.
Makes you feel like a kid.

2) Lipgloss or lipstick.

When I was younger and was having a bad day, my mom would take me to the drugstore and let me pick out a lipgloss or lipstick. They aren't terribly expensive and they can really brighten your day. I don't even need to necessarily buy a new one to make my day better. Sometimes putting on a fun bright pink or a bold red that I don't wear everyday can put a spring in my step.



3) Spaghetti.

Spaghetti alla Bolognese. Recipe here.

Whether there is meatballs on top, eggplant parm alongside or just tomato sauce-- spaghetti is my happy food. 

The first time I ever came to Atlanta it was a disaster. It was January 2011 and there was a huge ice storm. It was horrible. I was here for work and the storm hit right in the middle of the trip. Atlanta cannot handle snow and ice at all. The city completely shut down. The only people working at the hotel were the people who stayed over. Same with the Congress Center where our conference was. We had to have police escort our buses to and from the Congress Center because they refused to halt the conference. Food was scarce. People to get us food was scarce. When things finally started opening again I voted to get some Italian food offsite at a restaurant near the hotel (the Marriott and Hilton downtown that are connected by an overpass). I don't know if it was really as delectable as I remember it or if I was was just that hungry and ready to go home, but that spaghetti and meatballs was the comfort I needed.




4) Mermaids. 

That's right, I love mermaids. Whether it's The Little Mermaid on DVD or a cute figurine or print, I love mermaids and they make me happy. 




5) Shoes.

Duh, I'm a woman. I love shoes!

I'm not saying you should go out and buy a new pair whenever you have a bad day, but like the lipgloss, putting on a favorite pair of heels can really brighten your day. It definitely brightens mine. 


So these are some of the things that brighten my day when I'm feeling down. What are some of your favorite things that help alleviate your bad day?