Nobody has suffered more from low spirits than I have done—so I feel for you. Here are my prescriptions.
1st. Live as well as you dare.
2nd. Go into the shower-bath with a small quantity of water at a temperature low enough to give you a slight sensation of cold, 75 or 80 degrees.
3rd. Amusing books.
4th. Short views of human life—not further than dinner or tea.
5th. Be as busy as you can.
6th. See as much as you can of those friends who respect and like you.
7th. And of those acquaintances who amuse you.
8th. Make no secret of low spirits to you friends, but talk of them freely—they are always worse for dignified concealment.
9th. Attend to the effects tea and coffee produce upon you.
10th. Compare your lot with that of other people.
11th. Don’t expect too much from human life—a sorry business at the best.
12th. Avoid poetry, dramatic representations (except comedy), music, serious novels, melancholy, sentimental people, and everything likely to excite feeling or emotion, not ending in active benevolence.
13th. Do good, and endeavour to please everybody of every degree.
14th Be as much as you can in the open air without fatigue.
15th. Make the room where you commonly sit gay and pleasant.
16th. Struggle by little and little against idleness.
17th. Don’t be too severe upon yourself, or underrate yourself, but do yourself justice.
18th. Keep good blazing fires.
19th. Be firm and constant in the exercise of rational religion.
20th. Believe me, dear Lady Georgiana.
what a wonderful 'prescription' for melancholy, all wonderful cures. I love to crochet, watch ABC iview, eat biccies and cheese, think about and plan clothes and costumes to wear, read blogs… and do as many of those and the suggestions on the list at the same time. I will just have to find more of Mr Sydney Smith's letters, he sounds so clever! thanks Pip! x
God, I love that series!! The melancholy ep was particularly memorable. And Sophie is just plain gorgeous in every way.
I think the modern remedy to cure melancholy has to be curling up with the next tv series you need to get though on dvd with a pot of tea and choccie. No phone, no internet. No reminders of the real outside world. It's a time to withdraw 'til you get to the point where you can face it all again.
I love Sydney Smith's letters, he was such a witty man!
Not sure I agree with #10 though…
When I'm feeling down, I draw or paint. Nothing transports me to a better place more than being engrossed in a new artwork, & the sense of accomplishment you get afterwards is an added bonus. I like to listen to vintage radio plays or jazz while I'm working – it's the perfect escape.
Something else that seems to work is an hour or so spent with a new magazine (Vanity Fair or Juxtapoz), a cup of tea, & my favourite comfy chair. Buying stationery or art supplies works a treat too!
Pip even on your day of rest you have popped on line to make sure we get a dose of goodness. I'm a bit unwell at times and get down about it but your cheery posts make my days brighter! THANKS! Even this new comment section tells me how nice I look… you are too good to us!
A beautiful list. I especially love the "Attend to the effects tea and coffee produce upon you."
On a "sad" day, I allow myself a quiet, slow day, a be-kind-to-myself-day when possible. Lots of tea and a novel while snuggled into bed if I can.
Oh, and by the way – love the new (blog) look! Hope you're having a wonderful Easter.
The images you have chosen today are pretty cheer-inducing – love them! Happy Easter. 🙂
I love that Kitchen, I've been cooking – That helps and making stuff 🙂 Happy Easter Pip and enjoy your extra long weekend
Hello Pip! Your posts are always a spirit lifter! Thank you thank you thank you. I have reason for melancholy at present : http://bravenewfiona.blogspot.com/2011/04/friendship.html
I just love that letter you shared and laugh because I have done most of that today already (trusting my instincts obviously). Oh please keep being your wonderful self because you are a treasure in the blog community! xx Fi
This could be a real fridge winner here! Or it could find a place in my own display journal of Sue's 2011 version of 365 Gratitude. Thanks for the idea and the link.
This made me laugh in the best way. What is it about reading advice in older language? 🙂
I call friends, read inspiration craft blogs to get happy ideas to replace the sad thoughts, eat chocolate, pray for a better perspective, and listen to old gospel songs. And nothing beats sunshine on one's face!
A hot bath and a good book whilst soaking is always nice. Pip, have you heard of Lush? I reckon you would reaaaaally dig it. When I have a bath I always have a soak in one of their bath bombs. DEE-VINE. :)http://www.lush.com.au/ (I know it probably sounds like I am trying to plug it, but I'm not-honestly! They are just super nice.
this is absolutely BRILLIANT!!
my parents named me Deirdre, which means 'sorrow'. (when one's name has such an ominous meaning, how can one expect to NOT be melancholic every so often)
number 21 should be: put this list on your fridge and read it often. this alone, is cheering.
🙂 Dee (short for Deirdre…)
Ooh Libby! My sister and I are CHRONIC furniture changer arounders! And I am a chronic Anne of Green Gables watcher too!! SNAP! xx
My little Sophie loves 'big Sophie' and was given the DVD for Christmas, she now knows that melancholy is 'like Eeyore'. Great kitchen.
I love lists like this – they are such a great idea & I've always thought everyone should write their own list of things to do for when you're feeling rough & have it close-by when it's needed. My absolute best thing to do when I'm feeling sad or overwhelmed is watching Anne of Green Gables – works every time. Changing the furniture around in my house also works a treat & gives me the feeling that things are new and fresh. Cups of tea are also wonderfully therapeutic!
Ooo champagne would be lovely. Maybe tomorrow night when some super friends are coming over.
I deffo don't want a cold bath when I have the blues. I want a warm bath to melt into. A cup of tea. An early night. And sometimes a little cry. Just to sort things out.
i am feeling the melloncholy too! so i painted my nails with TWO coats of my favourite nail polish AND i am going to go out dancing AND i am listening to good thing by the fine young cannibles really loud! take THAT!
Love the kitchen. I want.
Danya, you need champagne.
I am bit melancholy at the moment but today I have found small solace by tidying my sewing table
Oh yes! Me too! SNAP! (and champagne helps… )
Good sound advice there from Mr Smith.
When melancholy I take a long soak in a warm pleasantly frangranced tub or a nana nap in the sun with a cuddly blankie.