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February 11, 2010
Things that make me happy: Watercolor
"How do you cope with this Portland winter?", a friend asked me last week. I had absolutely no answer. It is no secret that January and February are my toughest months, emotionally, ever since relocating to the States and more specifically, dreary, Sunless Portland. I can't tell if it's the constant sprinkly rain (I am a huge fan of big ol' fat rain) or the dark mornings or lack of Sun or the post-Holiday blues or the slow season in photography or being new to the business and freaking out about the slow season or the fact that it is weird that I have actual no-sessions weekends now instead of having 10 sessions a weekend and 40-hours-a-week day-job...or what. But SOMETHING gets me really down.
And in the two Winters I've spent in Portland I haven't done a single thing to combat it all. Until I somehow landed on this blog: Color Me Katie. Extremely adorable and full of color, love, balloons (!!!) and inspiration to be happy. I believe you should also embrace feelings of sadness and helplessness, if only for a bit. They are, after all, HUMAN feelings. We are not perfect. Eventually, you feel tired of not wanting to face the world every morning.
So, I am devising activities to clear my head of any lingering negative thoughts, like learning watercolor! My obsession with watercolor runs deep, but I have never been able to acquire this skill. Finally, the timing is right now, as a dear friend gave me a kit back in Christmas! I grabbed a Beginner's book from the library, starting with very simple lessons. Not skipping, like I usually do.
Why, this surely makes me happy :) :) :) :) :)
May I ask, how do YOU cope with consecutive negative thoughts? Do you just ride it out, or do you combat it?
Have a great day! Noodles!
Posted by starmagn at February 11, 2010 02:43 AM
Comments
Color Me Katie is amazing!! I look forward to her posts with relish :) I am curious about your watercolors beginner book, I also gifted a water color kit to my boyfriend for Christmas and we need to learn how to use it! Perhaps gifting a book as well should have been in order!
I ride my bike to work almost every day, and that makes me feel like I am able to conquer the weather in a way. Knowing that layers will keep me warm and I will dry... Its hard coming from sunny Texas, but I love the climate here, its so healthy for me. Seeing all the green plants on my way to work is the best mood lifter. And wearing really bright socks! Oh and knitting.
Posted by: Alice at February 11, 2010 11:58 AM
oh my goodness, this blog is full of 'happy'! I love it and she's adorable! thank you so much for sharing it, Amy :)
Posted by: Amy Olson Ballard at February 15, 2010 12:28 PM