mood swings.

The past few days have been a bit…. Uninspiring. I know what you’re thinking “Buck up, you silly cow, you don’t have any reason to feel that way!” and to be honest, I completely agree with you. I don’t have any reason to feel that way, I’m living in exciting London, I have friends who care about me and who I care about, a boyfriend who supports me in everything I do and loves me to bits (even when I don’t have any make-up on – cue the Bruno Mars song) and most recently, an exciting and promising career opportunity that will not only support my desired lifestyle, but I’ll have a bit left over to play with at the end of the day.

So why am I finding myself  "in a mood” as 'The Londoner' would put it. I hope I’m not one of those people who can never achieve true happiness…you know the ones I’m talking about? The kind of people who will bitch and moan and always find the negative in every good thing that happens to them. I really dislike people like that but I’m afraid that might be what I am becoming.

This past Monday was ‘Blue Monday’- this day occurs every third Monday of January and is claimed to be the most depressing day of the year. Now this I can understand – since ‘Blue Monday’, I myself have been feeling a little… ‘blue’ for lack of a better word. January is probably the most anti-climactic month. It’s post the Christmas hustle and bustle and New Year’s hype. The bills from the busy shopping month of December are coming in, the weather is grey, cold and (in London) rainy and since I’ve been working my 9 to 5, I notice that I get up in the dark and go to sleep in the dark. No wonder I’m moody.

Despite the fact that January is sort of a “bleh” month, I enjoy a new year. A chance at a clean slate. A chance to start over. Okay, sure. Maybe 9.99999 times out of 10 I neglect to follow through on my resolutions, but this year I have a solution to that. I’m going to start my “new year” in February.

This year I am going to veer away from the typical new years resolutions like ‘get in shape’ ‘get organized’ and ‘stay in touch with friends’ – I should be doing that stuff anyways, new year or not. Instead, I am setting resolutions that I have always aimed for, but really never attempted. Some of these might sound silly (#3 down below) but for me, 2011 is going to be about trying new things, learning, and becoming a better me!

1. Read one book a month

Unless you consider the morning Metro newspaper literature…I don’t read.  I’m one of those people who has a million thoughts running through their head at one time, so when I sit down to read a book, I end up reading the same page 10 times over because I was thinking about what I had to do next…rather than focusing on the book. 

I want to make more of an effort, however, to unwind after a long day with some intellectual reading…rather than my guilty pleasure reality TV shows that are turning my brain in to mush!

From my previous attempts, I’ve always been drawn to books about people’s lives or true stories.. the last book I actually read and finished was Eat, Pray, Love. It managed to keep my interest, even though it took me almost 3 months to finish it.  I would love any suggestions you guys have on some books I “must” read!

2. Get Social

People who have more relationships and are in more social groups are happier. Well..at least I know I am happier when I am surrounded by friends and family. I'm on the quieter side, don't particularly enjoy going out partying every weekend, however, a movie night or dinner out fits my bill perfectly... it's not about the activity... it's all about human interaction. 

So, I have joined a pilates/yoga studio that is just down the street from my office (so there are isn't any reason not to go 'it's too far' is always a popular one). This is something I can do for myself while addressing some health issues as well (anyone I know will tell you that I have the hip flexors of a 90 year old woman!) This activity will be relaxing and might help me with my next resolution.

3. Meditate

This is the most important but I think it will be the most difficult (refer to resolution #1). It's about quiet time when you shut your mind off each day – even 5 to 10 minutes on a daily basis. Considering I have a hamster on a wheel inside my head most days, this is going to be tough, but I like a challenge.

4. Less snoozing, more moving

I am NOT a morning person!  Every single person in my life can attest to that. Once I am up and out of bed and getting ready for the day, then (i think) I am relatively pleasant -- but it's the getting out of bed part that is the HARDEST part of my morning.  If it were my choice…I would sleep AT LEAST 12 hours a night.  As much as I do love to sleep…it takes up way too much time and now that most of my daytimes are spent working during the week, I am going to try and make the most of my weekends.

Rather than pressing the “snooze” button 15 times in a row…I’m going to make a valiant effort to get out of bed the minute my alarm goes off.  I want to take my time in the morning, have a cup of coffee, stretch…and maybe throw some curls in my hair, every now and then, to spice it up

I think all of these seem relatively do-able, so I’m going to give them my best shot! If you haven't jumped on the resolution bandwagon or you've fallen off the wagon over the course of the month - begin again. It's a new year afterall!