How I help myself on low days;

You know the kind of day … the sky is grey and your mood seems to be reflecting the weather. Your thoughts feel a little heavy, you're internal dialogue has turned negative, you feel sluggish, you’re doom-scrolling, comparing and shaming yourself …

Everyone feels this way occasionally*. You’re not broken and it will pass. But the following things may help soften the mood a bit & encourage it to gently pass.

Choose 2-3 things from the menu below!;

Notice if I’m hungry or thirsty and meet those basic needs. Tea and a piece of toast tend to be my go-to :)
Get comfy; get into soft, cosy clothes. Go a step further and add a blanket.
Reach out to a friend who ‘gets it’ and will be a supportive ear (& won’t try to ‘fix’ me.)
Step away from my phone(!!).
Do one small thing that feels productive - eg. put the washing out or do the washing up.
Journal it out - I see if I can tap into or identify anything under-lying my general melancholy eg, do I have a difficult decision weighing on me or am I feeling anxious about an upcoming event? Ask myself, if this low mood could talk, what would it say?
Gratitude practice; I write down three things I am grateful for.
Do something with my hands, that doesn’t involve my phone eg, cooking, baking, colouring or doing some embroidery or knitting (yes, granny hobbies are IN 🙌🏼) - creative flow & doing something with our hands gives us a pause from the negative thoughts. (and you might get a cake to enjoy out of it too ;)
I read a favourite book or poem, or I listen to my favourite podcast (my go to’s are; Uncanny (in daylight only IYKYK!), Off Air with Jane & Fi, How to Fail with Elizabeth Day or Desert Island Discs!
Stretch or slowly move my body …or go for a walk.
Go outside, look out the window, open the window, look into the distance and be calmed by those gorgeous fractals.
Sleep - I rest and prioritise an early night.
Breath-work; I take some deep, slooooow breaths; I inhale for a count of 6, and exhale for a count of 6. I let my tummy expand outwards with my breath. I allow my shoulders & jaw to soften.
I give myself some self compassion; everyone has low days occasionally, I remind myself that I’m human, that I’m not the only one to feel like this & it won’t feel like this forever.

*NB: If your low days persist or you have persistent negative thoughts, talk to your GP or seek the help of a mental health professional. You’re not alone.

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I’m Issie. I’m a Life & Creativity coach.

I work with women who struggle with negative self talk, overwhelm and people pleasing.

They often come to me at a moment of transition, either in work, relationships or motherhood, & are generally feeling unsatisfied with how life is.

I love using creativity as one of my main tools because research (& my own lived experience) shows that having a creative practice overwhelmingly increases peoples happiness, life satisfaction and sense that life feels worthwhile.

As a coach I offer support and structure at a point when women are re-discovering themselves, so that they can go forward in life with greater confidence in who they are.

You can discover more about me & ways you can work with me in the 1-1 Coaching section on my website :)

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How I help myself on low days;

Issie Freeman