[LettingGo]

Moderate exercise is key.... walks are good for this.

Depending on your sitch, GAL does not have to be real all of the time... if you are a NATURAL homebody, then fake some stuff on Facebook or whatever... if you get an invitation to go out, force yourself to take it, LOL!! You will still have a good time! If you always wanted an independent life, then take a class... join a book club.. whatever! Try "meetup.com" to find a group of like minded people.... I would stay away from singles groups... they are getting together for MIXERS, no matter what they say...

Take a trip... even if it is a LUXURY vacay by yourself... or go on a group tour of europe... whatever... home tour of Savannah... you will enjoy it more than you think... buy yourself a souvenir of your trip... or go visit a girlfriend or take a drive to see the leaves change..... there's LOTS to do to GAL...


I personaly FAKE a lot of GAL... then when I go to a party or "Male REVUE" for a bachelorette party, there are plenty of pics to post.... Meet up with other crazy LBS.....

[LeaveThePastBehind]

"if you get an invitation to go out, force yourself to take it, LOL!! You will still have a good time!"


This is very, very hard for me to do, personally. 

[Believer]

I take classes it encourages ( ok maybe sometimes it forces) me to try different things.

Since BD I have enrolled in:

Breadmaking - by hand ( yummy!!!)
Running team
Graphic Design - working towards my diploma in Arts, Crafts and Design
Quilting
Various sewing classes
Work related courses
Painting classes
Theta Healing
Yoga

I'm pretty sure there will be more

[LeaveThePastBehind]

I've been thinking of taking yoga. I also love bike riding but I don't do that often because I don't feel safe on these crazy streets. But... riding around New York City and on bike trails is one of my favorite things to do.


And baking, I like to bake. You would think I do all of this stuff on a frequent basis but, no. Most or all of my stuff has been in boxes for the past two years. I feel so unsettled in my surroundings, ever since BD. I don't really have the space or privacy. It's frustrating. Oh, and photography.  


Believer, breadmaking sounds like fun!

[Believer]

StarGazerGirl,

Bread making was fantastic! I learned to make 8 different types, including sourdough and a lavender infused brioche - all seemed to be my favourite though LOL!!

All I can say is I'm glad I run!!!!

[Stillpraying]

OOOhh.  All this stuff is really getting my creative mind going.

Believer - Lavender scones are really yummy. 

I've just comne back from the closing down sale at the craft store and spent over $100.  That was a GAL activity in itself!

Now I am armed with heaps of gorgeous stuff to enrol in one of the on-line clasess Believer posted. (I'm blaming you Believer!!)

Some ideas I've thought of while reading all the above:

- Bake with your kids (helps them GAL too)

- I'd like to take up/learn running.  Need to lose weight again also (gained a bit of what I lost on LBS diet - feel like I'm eating cause of loneliness.  Any advice anyone?)

- I'm going to the women's group stuff at church.  This week we have a really good speaker.  She came a month ago and prayed for me.

- Camping for the first time without H.  But it's with a group from church so I'll have heaps of company and help.

- Borrowed the 'Little House on the Prairie' DVD's from my sister and each friday night we have pizza and watch a few episodes.  the kids are right into it!

[Shantilly Lace]

For me free is pretty important lol as I have the kids with me 99%

I am a natural homebody too.  Hard to believe my job requires me to be so social lol.

I take the girls to a park every second weekend. We pack a picnic with a bottle of cordial and go for a few hours. We go to a different park each time and have yet to do a repeat. I NEVER realised how many parks there are around. It's only a couple of hours but the girls love it.

Art gallery. It changes every few months and is free.

Different markets. Give the girls a couple of dollars and away they go.

I write, make jewellery, read, surf the internet for research, make teddies, sew clothes and other things. Try new crafts.  I don't do as much as I would like kids keep me busy. But I do what I want.
I tend to cycle between things.
My creativity suffered terribly and it has only been the past few months that it has roared back into life. Lol.

My friends are all married so I tend to be a 5th wheel nowadays they don't mean to but it's reality.

[Stillpraying]

Shantilly, I can so conent with what you posted.

I love your ideas about the parks.  there's heaps in Mlebourne too and about time I explore them along with Art Galleries (will do that on my own)

I LOVE markets and it's been ages. 

Wow,
Too much to schedule now.  GAL here I come!!!!!!!!

[Musica]

I have also found that charity work is great ... helps others and is good for getting out and for self-esteem. Also just connect with people you meet who you may not even know ... in a shop for example smile, say hi and chat to people, try to make their day a little better, this will also make you feel good.

Stargazer ... do you know Prospect Park in Brooklyn? I visited a friend who lives near there last year, its a great place to walk or cycle, and it must be so beautiful at this time of year.

Getting fresh air and exercise is important for well-being. If you are angry too exercise calms you down, makes you feel good.

Another good thing to do .... eat chocolate!! (in moderation of course!) lol!

[Believer]

SP,

I'm OK with you blaming me  I can take that kind of blame!! Please send me an email sharing one of your creations once you've completed it I would really love to see !

I hear you about eating out of loneliness and gaining a few pounds! My therapist suggested that I consider "eating mindfully" and I have found that has helped although I do still have my episodes. There is a book called "The Mindful Way through Depression" by Mark Williams , John Teasdale, Zindel Segal & Jon Kabat- Zinn that speaks a little about it as well there is info on the internet.
The running really helps with eating too because you feel so good afterwards that you don't want to eat as much. I'm not sure if you have the "Running Room" where you live that's how I learned to run. You can register in the classes or sign up for the online training. You run 3x a week with them 2 of which are free!

If you can fit it in try yoga. I think it is incredible. It was something that I always wanted to do so I went to a class. I do the hot yoga which is really nice. I find it clears out all the toxins ...yes even crazy MLCer toxic spew !!! not to mention my complexion is the best it has ever been  whoo hoo another plus for me!!