I am lucky, I have many things that give me a lift every day.
Reading…
Whether it is reading a good book or watching a romcom movie or a sitcom that will take me away from the reality and horrors of our world, each gives me a sense of peace and happiness. I can bask in the message being portrayed in that media and lock away my worries for the time it takes me to read or watch an uplifting book or program.
Writing…
I also write romance. So, writing positive content definitely
gives me a feel-good vibe. Even when getting the couple together at the end may
take a turn for the worst, know that in order to proclaim a book’s place in the
romance genre, a happily-ever-after or a happily-for-now is a requirement. So,
they always have a feel-good component at the end.
Friends…
Another thing that makes me happy is seeing a friend in
person. Yes, these days ZOOM makes it easy to keep up with friends. I also keep
up with many over the phone or through email or other forms of social media but getting together with friends in person is the best! There’s nothing like cradling
a cup of tea, while looking directly into a friend’s face who is sitting across the
table from you. Or slurping down an ice cream cone while walking the boardwalk
with friends. That in-person contact makes a huge difference.
More Writing…
Going to my local weekly writing group grounds me every week. We each write a piece that takes 5-minutes or less to read out loud. The writing can be in any genre, which is fun for me, since my “job” is writing romance, whether a 5-minute romance I want to submit to Woman’s World magazine or a romance novella or full-length novel that I will eventually publish. Writing outside of my preferred genre gives me a different prospective on life, my town, my relationships with family, or any other topics, such as the environment, recipes I love to cook, etc. It frees up my brain to be creative in a different way.
What Things Give You a Lift and Make You Feel Happy?
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~ cottages to
cabins ~ keep the home fires burning ~
Author
of the Starlight Grille series,
Serenity Harbor Maine novellas, and the Cowboys
of Mineral Springs series, Lowe has also authored short romances for Woman’s World magazine (most recently,
an Easter romance in the April 1, 2024 edition.) The Love Left Behind is
a Hartford Estates, R.I. wedding novella with Book 2 on the way. A
Christmas novel (The Inn at Gooseneck Lane) and novella (Holiday
Hitchhiker – the youngest brother of the Mineral Spring’s ranching family)
were the most recent releases. Look for book 3 of the cowboy’s series, as well
as book 2 of the Hartford Estates series, to be released in 2025.
9 comments:
Reading and watching DIY shows or Hallmark movies cheer me up. Also, friends and in person meetings. Great post.
Reading, writing and watching positive tv shows (in my world, that means educational, funny, mysteries, adventures, exploring the unknown, romance) lift my spirits. Spending time in nature, walking our dogs, cuddling our dogs and cat, connecting with friends, working on projects with my husband, cuddling with my husband - these activities keep me in the moment and help me relax. Praying gives me perspective and comfort.
Thanks for reminding me of the different sense of connection and well-being seeing friends in person can give me. I'm not a "people person" by nature so it was easy for me to be alone/separate during Covid and have much of my contact via Zoom and phone. It requires me to be present in a different way when my best friend comes to visit as she stays for 3 or so days. There are always times when I just want to be by myself and not have to engage with anyone during those times. However, I get in-person hugs that just so much better than virtual ones! I'll keep reminding myself of that gift which does make everything better.
I hear all of you on sometimes just wanting to hunker down at home. Getting out with people and seeing friends can at times zap energy, especially for those of us who want to write, write, write (a lonesome business,) instead of mingling. Belonging to an organization geared toward citizens over 55 has been a huge plus for me. In the last few weeks, I have learned about Maine birds, the planet and the stars, and gone to a mid-day movie with about 35 others from People Plus, seeing a movie I never would have picked out to watch. What fun it ended up being! But the battle to make myself go out and mingle when all I wanted to do was stay home and write... well, in the end it was worth going out as it lifted my spirits, despite the dreary, rainy day. So yes, an unexpected way to add some cheer in my life. And later, corned beef and cabbage with friends.
Diana, I love DIY shows. Totally forgot to mention that!
Sarah, so true. I miss my cat. When I worked outside the home, I had to travel a lot. That made it hard to have a pet. But I have 4 grand dogs, and one of them lives nearby. SO... I get my "me time" with Yaz, when I visit my son and grandson. The other 3 dogs live in Denver. But I have photos!!!
Judith - I have always been a people person, but these days I find it tiring to be with a lot of people often. I need more me-time these days. Probably, being a writer makes me tend to want to be alone more, so I can write, write, write. But I do try to plan outside activities several times a week, even if only for an hour or so. It refreshes me.
Living out in the country means I don't see a lot of people. And I miss having lunch with friends and the meetings at Border's before the stores closed. But I read a lot and spend time on the computer. With my husband's developing dementia, I'll be driving him anywhere he needs to go for appointments. If deer wander into the yard, I make a point of watching them and enjoying them. They watch me too. I love that.
I love the fact you see deer often. that is so special. So sorry about the extra driving now. I loved living in a more rural area, but now I am blessed to live only blocks from grocery store, bank, town office where I vote, pay property taxes, and get driver's license, etc. It does make life easier, for sure. And only 3 miles to department stores, ophthalmologist, regular doctors, hospital, etc. thinking of you, Barb!
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