Comments on: Beating the Blues

By: Hazel Butler

Hazel Butler — Sat, 02 Nov 2013 20:35:14 +0000

In reply to mick.

Aw, thanks so much, Mick. It’s great to know it’s of some help. And yes, I’m also going to be happy if I can just maintain the weight loss I’ve managed over the summer, I’m not going to let myself get down about the fact I’m not managing to loose anymore at present. You should definitely start a blog! It’s very cathartic, and there is definitely something to be said for ‘just doing it’, rather than procrastinating 🙂

By: mick

mick — Sat, 02 Nov 2013 18:33:53 +0000

Wow..loved your comments Hazel. In particular your step plan. I too have felt my mood lower this week, as i always do at this time of year. I am already sleeping 10/11 hrs instead of the 7/8 hrs in the summer and this will get worse through the winter period if I allow it to take hold. I have also lost 2.5 stone this year and will continue to monitor and not be too down hearted if I can just keep that off!! In the past I have just put up with the seasonal blues. Well not this year. Doctors appointment next week . Light box ordered. Exercise regime that I have followed all summer back in place (hopefully) Meditation daily to calm the mind and maybe even starting my own personal blog…in fact starting my own blog!! not just thinking about it.. I follow you on facebook and have to say your inspirational….thank you for taking the time to help others who are in need..I know if I put all this into practice I will survive another winter

By: Michael J. McFadden

Michael J. McFadden — Sun, 27 Oct 2013 20:18:53 +0000

Amazing! A hulluva lot more talent than *I* have! LOL!

I can remember back to grade school days when an entire weekend would be ruined because of an assignment to write a 500 word composition!

:>
MJM

By: Hazel Butler

Hazel Butler — Sun, 27 Oct 2013 20:14:19 +0000

Yes, Michael, people really do sit down and write a novel in a month. I find it highly unlikely that anyone has ever written a perfectly polished novel in a month, but a first draft certainly 🙂

By: Michael J. McFadden

Michael J. McFadden — Sun, 27 Oct 2013 18:24:40 +0000

Hazel, I am sad to hear of what you’re going through, but you seem to have thought out your four steps well and if you really try to follow all of them I would think it will help. Having your mom work with you on the meds seems like a smart idea too: not only does it put something of a practical block in front of you if you get suicidal (It may not be an insurmountable block, but it’s still something there that you can use as a “stop.”) but it reminds you that you WANT that help of a control, AND I’m sure it means a lot to your mom to be involved in that way as well: you’re showing her your commitment to fight.

{{{Hazel}}}

– Michael

I would add a “sound box” of some sort to the light box if you’re not already paying attention to your sound background. The right sort of music or natural sounds at a low background level could also act as a mood enhancer. I have a little “sound box” that I use to help me fall asleep and have a selection of sounds like “Japanese Tea Garden,” and “Springtime Stream With Birds” that I find helps a lot.

I think your participation in Novel Writing Month is a great idea too! You’re clearly very talented as a writer in general, and if that extends over to writing fiction I think you’d do quite well! Writing an entire novel in a month seems too challenging (heh, at least for ME! LOL!) but as long as you don’t pen yourself into a box where you’ll feel trapped if you can’t get through it all it sounds great! (Do people REALLY just sit down and write entire novels in a month???)