Well this time last year we were facing what could have been deemed the worst weekend of the year, it started with a Friday the 13th and finished with Blue Monday. This year the Friday doesn't promise any doom and gloom but Monday the 15th is apparently the most depressing day of the year. #BlueMonday
Many of us don't like Mondays at the best of times, but the decorations are down, the festivities are over, we spent more than we planned and pay day feels like its never going to come around. But it doesn't have to be. You’re in control here. You can choose either to believe that it will be grim and depressing or you can choose to believe it will be a nice day, in which case you’ll more likely to notice the high points. Plan what you are going to do and give yourself something to look forward to this weekend and next week. Here are a few ideas.
Pamper Yourself
Brief the kids and hubby or tell your boss you've got to leave work on time. Go home, fill the bath, light the candles and relax in the bath with a good book for as long as you can get away with.
Painting Project
With the forecast of rain its a perfect weekend to dust down that old piece of furniture and give it a new lease of life. Our offer of 30% off on the fab chalk paints is an extra incentive to get the paint brush out and our eco paint is safe for kids to use so spread the newspaper on the floor and get stuck in. Click below to see what we have in stock.
Plan a Holiday
Having something to look forward to will help you get through Blue Mondays and many more Mondays. Many travel companies have sales at this time of year and Ryanair have a great tool that you can go into their website and go to Fare Finder, select Knock and a budget of Under €50 and see where you can go. Italy in September, Portugal in April or London for €9.99 are well worth a look.
Have a clear out
It's always good to have a spring clean and make a bit of room. Clear out that dress that you haven't worn for 2 years and if the stuff is in good enough condition you could put it on Donedeal or Buy & Sell pages of Facebook t recoup a few euros. Belmullet Freecycle is a great way to recycle them and pass them on.
https://www.facebook.com/errisfreecycle/
Set Yourself some goals for 2018 and make a start.
Make a Money Saving List
I read an article about this week about a lady that set out to have a year of spending no money. That was a little extreme as she cycled to weddings and drank water at the pub but if you set yourself a goal of paying for a holiday or paying off a debt go through your finances and spending for 2017 and set yourself some goals for saving money and start to put them into action. Doing a weekly menu and shopping list four a weekly shop saved us up to €50 a week as we wasted a lot less food.
Set a Fitness Goal
Every year so many of us say it - this year we are going to loose weight. A healthy eating plan and a good exercise routine will help you get there and some of our planners will keep you on track. Check out the range in the stationary section online.
Keep the Kids Entertained
Especially when the weather is bad plan what you are going to do with the kids to keep them and you sane. Some free things to do are the Museum of Country Life - open Sat 10-5 and Sunday 2- 5 or take them to the Library - Belmullet Library Open 11-4pm
The weekend is forecast rain but if you wrap up warm, get the wellies on & some old clothes and have a splash about the kids will love it. Natural light helps stabilise serotonin and triggers endorphin, both mood-boosting hormones. Even if you can get outside for at least ten minutes it will boost your mood. Then get into you PJs after a hot shower and have some hot chocolate on the sofa.
Plan your TV
Despicable me is on RTE1 @ 6.30pm (7.30 on +1) which is a good one for the family to watch. Have a friends fest - Comedy Central shows Friends all day on Saturday. Record them and get a few of your besties round on the Sunday night to chill out and enjoy a bit of company. Settle in to watch a romance on Movies24 or if you fancy a bit of action Unstoppable is on Film4 @7pm or All The King's Men on Sony Movies @7pm. Me I love a crime drama and I'll be watching Poirot on be3!
Do the Simple Thing
'Smile and the world smiles with you' and it also releases feel good chemicals in the brain and lowers your blood pressure
Be grateful. A recent visit from some friends had their kids saying a thank you prayer before they ate my burnt offerings. Not particularly religious the parents said its a good way for them to appreciate what they have. What a great idea!