Hello, all. First of all, if you are a new reader I’d like to say welcome! (Tisha B’Av was a high traffic day here, and I’m so glad you’ve found us). I’d like to take the opportunity to ask that if you find this blog to be helpful, validating, or enjoyable, please pass it along, as I am sharing in this space without using any social media platforms to spread the word. Thank you! 🙂
This week I did a feel-good brain dump of things to do that are pleasant or comforting. In honor of Shabbos Nachamu weekend, here is my list:
- get a haircut
- reread a favorite series of books
- get a facial
- do acupuncture
- have nostalgic Shabbos party
- go for a swim
- eat an ice cream bar
- get a brightly-colored pedicure
- sing in your car
- dance
- read a self-help book
- make a good meal for yourself
- light candles
- use body lotion
- cloud-watch
- go for a drive
- take a leisurely evening stroll
- read a travel book
- wear nice pajamas
- bake easy bar cookies (like these oatmeal squares)
- listen to an audiobook
- lie in the sun
- color with markers
- read a magazine
- get a massage
- shop for school supplies (love when Staples has 75 cent spiral notebooks)
- drink cold water
- drink lemon water
- make a one-veg salad (ex. red cabbage with lemon juice, olive oil, salt, pepper, garlic; cherry tomatoes with olive oil, red wine vinegar, salt, pepper, Italian seasoning)
- go to sleep early
- take vitamins
- write a description of your dream home
- put your hand on your heart and breathe
- go outside early in the morning
- doodle with a pen with your eyes closed while listening to classical music
- do mandala drawing (draw or print out a circle and draw something inside)
- practice loving-kindness meditation
- have lunch with a friend
- give away clothing
- listen to a musical soundtrack
- run an errand with a friend
- buy stickers
- read a thought-provoking essay (try The Atlantic)
- look at an atlas
- listen to waltzes
- read book reviews
- build a sandcastle
- cook something flavorful
- do a yoga video
- do old-fashioned calisthenics
- sit at a firepit
- eat good chocolate
- buy flowers
- take a bubble bath (this stuff makes the best foamy bubbles)
- get a temporary tattoo (I did say this was a brain dump)
- Hula hoop
- walk across a balance beam
- sit on a blanket in the park
- listen to ocean waves at the beach
- wear sunscreen (I keep reading about this stuff and how it has the best smell ever)
- make waffles
- get a car wash
- make a list of fun goals for the year
- wear lipstick
- listen to a nature sounds soundtrack
- play a board game
- roast marshmallows
- make a creamy soup
- accept that it doesn’t matter what other people think
- buy a plant
- eat a yogurt parfait
- paint something
- roller skate
- write a newsletter
- do a 1,000 piece puzzle
- read a book out loud
- eat raw cookie dough
- feed the birds
- change your linen
- vacuum
- use binoculars
- go out for dessert
- make a leaf rubbing
- frost a cake
- watch an old movie
- play I Spy
- make ice cream
- mail a note
- boil a pot of cinnamon
- schedule an appointment
- read a poem
- plant flower seeds
- CBT worksheets
- make lasagna
- go to the library
- use real dishes
- self-compassion break
- make a playlist
- read beautiful cookbooks
- write a list of 100 comforting things 😉
More pleasant ideas here, here, and here! And a summer list!
Have a wonderful Shabbos!
