FRENCH WORD-A-DAY

Hi Kristi

I feel the same way when company leaves, even though I'm happy to get back to my routine. I reach out to people with a quick message and the responses usually lift me up out of le canard. Have a wonderful day!

I've found that being outdoors - gardening or walking through a leafy neighborhood are great mood boosters! "Forest bathing" has been shown to have positive health benefits, and a "forest" convenient for our family is actually a nearby park with many old trees with a stream running through. These are all good mood resets for me.

When depression or anxiety strikes I do tasks I don't like - I mean, I already feel bad, so doing them won't make me depressed. It acts as some sort of revenge (take that depression).

Thank you for your candor. I think we all experience days when we feel a little blue, especially after a full house empties. Perhaps it’s just a time to downshift, re-calibrate, and restore equilibrium. Give yourself the gift of time to regain your usual joie de vivre!

This is temporary - comes and goes for all of us. Especially when company goes home - if you like the company that is. Lot of good advice from your readers. Add some deep breathing as you start your walk - works for me. Enjoy your weekend and thank you for your candor and sharing with all of us. Hugs

I see already a post on depression. As someone who struggles with the clinical illness I can share plenty of things that have helped me in times of distress (google "distress tolerance"). But also, times of, as you describe so well, le cafard &/or the blues!
I love your idea of accomplishing something, even if it's small. That's what I came to my laptop this evening to do, and found your magical post that helped me hold my chin up.
It also helps me to connect with someone I love and talk about *them*. Bonus if they're objectively dealing with different things altogether in their life - and because I love the absurd, extra bonus if they're my 9yo niece who has this fantastic way of expressing herself!
And in a pinch, I read my favorite poem, "I wandered lonely as a cloud" (https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/45521/i-wandered-lonely-as-a-cloud) - William Wordsworth - it always makes me smile and brings me peace.

Maybe these things help, or something else in this wealth of comments do - in the meantime, drink some water (always good advice), and be kind to yourself! Change is hard, give yourself time to feel it and get through it.
Sending love,
Inger

Thanks for sharing your "downs" with your "ups." We all identify...

1. Feeling blue: Best ‘medicine’ invite a few people, such as your neighbors, for coffee and conversation. Guaranteed!

2. Squash withering away: Your soil or compost is contaminated.
I experienced this problem. I contacted my Province’s Agricultural Extension Services at University of Manitoba. They wanted a sample of my soil. Couple of days later they told me that my soil is contaminated and it would take years for the contamination to go away for growing squash and so grow something else!
All the best.

Hi Kristi,

Daily, perhaps you do already, take time to be with Jesus Christ and ask Him for His Peace that passes all understanding. As you trust Him, His loving Peace will enfold you, and will comfort you in every loving way.

Hoping Jules is much, much better!!

God bless C-Marie

Many of the comments posted are so true. Doing something creative like cooking or painting or writing a note to someone helps me. I try to put on music whether it is something fun from the ‘60’s or uplifting Christian music while I’m alone. I keep a book I call my “Oooh La La Book” where each year I journal what God has done in my life…his miracles and blessings..things I turned over to HIM and how HE worked them out in my life. So easy to forget the good things!! When I need a lift or encouragement I get this book out and read all the wonderful things that he has worked out for me. Usually, after I read it, I remember a few things that I have forgotten to journal. Sometimes I claim a Bible scripture and add it to the memory. During Covid I got really depressed and couldn’t find my Ooh La LA book anywhere. I was devastated I had lost it…but I decided to start a new one and off I went…journaling my life…in even more detail than the first book. I truly believe God wanted me to really think again of all the good things in my life during a very scary time. I started water coloring cards to women prisoners locked down in a facility near me. Covid closed all visits and programs down. As I wrote encouraging messages to them it ministered to me. I didn’t have to stand in a line in Arizona heat for my lunch. I could phone or write anyone I wanted to. I wasn’t locked down like they were and I had a loving husband to talk to each day. I had cleaning supplies to disinfect my house with. They had nothing to clean their cells with. I had take out and grocery delivery. I could go on and on. I had so many many blessings! It reminded me there is joy in little pleasures in life. Four years later I now minister in the prison twice a week. The first day I went in a female inmate told me my card got her thru Covid!! Thank you sweet Jesus for using me!!
Your writing Kristi encourages our hearts as well. Take Heart Sister!

Hello. I am French. And I try to improve my English skills reading Kristi ! Merci pour votre indulgence pour mon anglais laborieux ! In my opinion , the best cure for the blues is to listen to Charles Trenet ( "La mer", Douce France", "Y'a de la joie" , et toutes ses merveilleuses chansons) ! Bien amicalement. Guy Antoine.

Hi Kristi, I love everyone's different ways of dealing with the blues! And reassuring to know that most people go through this every now and then. My favorite thing to do is to listen to some great, upbeat music ( the kind that makes you want to dance ) or to watch a movie or video of people dancing. And someone mentioned swimming, absolutely the best exercise for mind-clearing!

And also taking my dog to the beach and watching her have fun in the water. You probably already do that with Ricci!

Dear Kristi,
Over the years when I have experienced
the blues, I am always led to the Desiderata. In 1971 my husband and I, having been married about 10 months, left family behind and moved to Germany. Soon after he found a print of the Desiderata in a bookshop, written in beautiful calligraphy. We had it decoupaged (it was the ‘70’s!) on to a board. It has been on the wall in our home ever since. It was important to us then and remains so, a reminder of what to appreciate in life.
The Desiderata must be special to you as well, as you have written about it many times. Thank you for yet another thoughtful story that has taken me back to a wonderful memory and the Desiderata when I needed it most. And so, I shall now nurture strength of spirit and strive to be happy…

I was with my son in Rome for five weeks and had a fabulous time. When I returned home, I felt very down. Slowly, as I returned to the slower pace of life here, I began to feel better and gain a new perspective.

Years ago after having experienced my husband's sudden death, I was plagued with sorrowful thoughts frequently. I pictured those thoughts as a little red devil sitting on my shoulder. I would kick him in the behind to get rid of him and then fill my mind with all the things I was thankful for: blue skies, trees, flowers, birds, the smell of fresh cut grass, the smell of baking bread, my wonderful family, my gift of faith.