Through the Dark

Through the Dark

I think we all have days like this: You find yourself wondering whether you should just pack it up and start anew.

Depression is something most of us feel at some stage in our life - some worse than others.

It could be hormonal, psychological or chemical.

My friend was diagnosed with Clinical Depression. She tried all manner of medication, nothing worked.

One day she says to me, "I WILL be happy" It worked for her. If only it was that easy for everybody!

Occasionally I find myself going through dark, low periods in my life.
I become a hermit. I retreat into my safe world of fluffy PJs and my cat and as much as I know that I need to snap out of it, I cannot. I know I need to wait for it to pass naturally on its' own.
Having family & friends as well as a busy job helps to a certain degree.
Without always realising that you are feeling down in the dumps, these people help you to ignore the sadness and get on with it.
I really do feel sympathy for those who don't have these.

Do you go through down periods? What do you do to overcome it?

Pilates: Not for persons with weak muscles

This is what you need to know before you attend your first Pilates class:

1. Wear tight fitting tops - otherwise they will hike up when you are bent down touching the ground
2. Tie your hair in a low ponytail as you spend some time lying on your back and the higher pony is very uncomfortable
3. Make sure your hair is tightly pinned back out of your face
4. Take a bigger towel to put on your mat so that you don't slip when balancing on hands and toes
5. Make sure your feet are pretty - you take your shoes and socks off

What to expect:

The class started with lots of stretching and warming up. Your heart rate increases and you can feel the muscles working, but it's not impossible.

Until...

The stomach section. If you can imagine a blotchy red, panting, quivering mass of shaky jelly with bits of hair sticking out all over the place and beads of sweat popped out on her forehead - you will have a pretty accurate image of me.

I hope you have a better core strength than I did when I first started!

I am convinced that The Roll Up is a method of torture.

From a lying down position, you "gently roll your upper body up into a sitting position - using only your stomach muscles - while keeping your legs stretched straight out in front of you, flat on the ground" What?

I tried twice, spluttered and ended up my my feet pointing at the sky; so I lay there and watched the others doing exactly what he said: Gently rolling up

If I have to take a step back from the jealousy of watching them do it, I must admit that it was actually beautiful. Their movement was so fluid and graceful. The strength it must have taken to make it look so easy made me envious. And determined to one day be able to do that. No matter how long it takes me.

Then we had to do the planking. Goodness.

And the biggest fail funniest exercise was The Roll Over
We used to do this as kids and I was always the one to get there first. Little did I know how hard it would be years later when I was unfit!
More graceful moves from my classmates while my backside refused to lift off the mat. I was mortified! I was the only one in the class who couldn't do it. No matter how hard I tried.
I am now able to do it - so there is hope!

An hour later you are stretching it all out and then it's finished.

I left there feeling full of energy. Until about 45 minutes later. Then I had to lie down on the couch and nap.

What you should do before attending your first class:
I don't think the gyms have an actual beginners class. I would recommend doing some research into breathing and muscle techniques for each of the main Mat exercises. It helps a lot with the exercises.
If I had not read that section about controlling breathing I don't think I would have been able to complete all the reps of some exercises.

The next day:
I was sore all over. I thought it would only be my stomach as I struggled with that the most, but it was also my biceps, triceps, shoulders, stomach, back, butt & thighs.
Proof that it truly is an all body exercise!

Pie & Lattes

Something I wish I had realised in my 20's: Exercise to keep fit. It becomes so much harder to lose that extra bit of weight.
In my 20s if I wanted to drop 2-3kgs, all I had to do was cut out the junk food and the weight would drop off.
Now in my 30s. I have to exercise, eat salad leaves and water and I may be lucky if I drop 1kg.
I don't want to be one of those unhealthy, overweight women with wrinkly skin that has seen the ravages of junk food and a sedentary lifestyle.

What if it is already too late?

For this very reason I have started doing Pilates. I need to get fit. Pilates works all the muscle groups, but most importantly your core.
I have not lost any weight, but I am feeling stronger.
I am not ready to diet and give up on my 6 cups of coffee a day (with brown sugar), but I really need to get my body functioning well, I think Pilates is a step in the right direction.

I have attended a variety of Pilates lessons. 3 different instructors. All different techniques. 1 thing in common:

They hurt like a mother the next day!

I realise now why they tell you Pilates is perfect for sufferers of back pain: Because everything else is so sore, you don't notice that your back is sore!

Joking aside - I am thoroughly enjoying it.

I have given Yoga a try as well, but it really didn't feel as if I had done any exercise.

What do you do to keep fit?

Simple Gestures

Our CEO is one of the nicest people you will ever meet.
He is funny, charming and tells really corny jokes. He knows the best spots for good food and great wine.

He is based in Cape Town and has been trying to get me to CT for years. One day I may just relent.

He calls me Sunshine.

The other day a poster of One Direction and a necklace of Liam - my favourite arrives in the mail. From the CEO because he knows how much I love them.

I tell you - surprises like this are enough to have me smiling the entire day!

Speaking of which - my concert at Wembley was 40 days ago. I am still wearing my armband from the show.
Yes I bath with it on - it is not made of paper.

40 Days & 40 Nights

Liam

In the Spotlight

The Boys

Happy Crowd

10 Things You Never Realized You Could Do To Be Happy

The older I become, the more I realize that it is up to US to make ourselves happy.

Wisdom really does come with age! :-)

I made the decision at the end of last year that I was going to be a happier person this year.
It is working. I am happier.
Yes I do still have those few days every now and then when I cannot pull myself out of the black hole that threatens to suck me in. I try to ride them out without letting it cause any ripple effects (I try not to speak to people and avoid causing fights from being over-sensitive etc)

I have a few posts lined up about aging, things I wish I knew, things I want to accomplish, etc. I hope you will find them useful and perhaps in some way they will resonate with you as well.

For today - here are some handy tips I really loved - they sound like common sense, but we don't always apply them to ourselves.

What do you do that make you a happier person?

1. Stop comparing yourself to other people.
Many seemingly happy and successful people are burning themselves alive on the fire of their inner turmoil. So focus on you.

More to read: How to Stay Happy No Matter What Happens

2. Socialize.
Even if you are an introvert, force yourself into social scenarios that give you the opportunity to meet people and form connections. These connections will put you back in touch with your humanity.

3. Make healthy decisions.
It is amazing how much exercise and good diet can change your outlook on the world around you. The negative thoughts in your head that seem so very real and pressing will melt away.

4. Do something different.
Stop wasting your time trying to find the “perfect hobby.” Pick anything – whether it’s fiber art or coffee tasting. Find something that you can put effort into, build competence, and see results.

5. Get in touch with your anchors.
We tend to lose these anchors as we get older. Try to better position yourself within any communities you once found a home in, whether that’s your family, your neighborhood, your culture, or your religion.

6. Look less ahead. Look less behind.
Try to refocus yourself to the current moment more often. Start building memories instead of living in them. Start creating your future instead of just hoping for a better one. If you don’t do this, your life will become a fog that can stretch across your entire time on earth.

7. Create.
Write in a journal. Paint something. Make up a song even if you will never perform it. Start to fashion the relics that you will leave behind when you are gone.

8. Let go.
Forgive those who hurt you. I’m sorry you were hurt but if you do not leave that hurt in the past, it will follow you like a wolf – forever casting a dangerous shadow over everything you do.

9. Worry more about the others.
Many times it is our own narcissism that destroys us. It seems counter-intuitive, but take some time each day to think about the needs of the other people in your life. Helping them meet those needs will make you happier in a way that you might not understand right now.

10. Stop running.
There is no such place as “away.” Travel as far as you want, but you will still find yourself waiting for you when you get there. Pull out your sword. It’s time to turn around and fight the dragons inside you.

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