Making a Blue Day Box

I’d first heard of the idea of a Blue Day Box about a year ago from TOTB, but only recently got around to actually making one. It often goes by the name of ‘Bad Day Box’, ‘Shitty Day Box’, or ‘Self-Soothing Kit’ (if you only follow one link in this post, choose this one. It’s beautiful). The idea is to put lots of make-me-happy stuff in a box for those days when you feel really, really down. It’s a way to really look after yourself.

After a bit of internet research (aka procrastination on Pinterest) I found most people put cards or letters, photographs, chocolate, and positive quotes or religious verses in their boxes. While these are all in my box – minus the chocolate – my blue days tend to be the bottom of a negative spiral of thinking, and my mind can often get stuck in a rut of depressive thoughts. I didn’t want my Blue Day Box to just make me feel better for a while, I wanted it – needed it – to force me out of spiralling.

So while I continued to procrastinate on Pinterest for proverbs (note the alliteration – booyah!), I also wrote a list of stuff I could do that wouldn’t just make me feel better, but would get me out of my negative spiral. I ended up with a list of things that I could do (this list from Lifehack is a goodie) and from this list, chose ten things to put on a pretty-fied list that went in my box, and put tangible items in for the rest.

The contents of Zee’s Blue Day Box

So what’s in my Blue Day Box?

• A few cards & letters from very special people.
• Two photographs (I don’t want to get over-nostalgic and defeat the purpose of a Blue Day Box!)
• My two favourite yoga & kickboxing workouts, because exercise = endorphins.
• A few movies that always make me feel good.
• Some videos that inspire me, including TEDTalks.
• A few feel-good quotes, and some affirmations, that remind me to keep going, and that the world is a beautiful place.
• A candle and matches for meditation.
• A notepad and a pen – not a notebook because there may be stuff I want to write down (i.e. vent) and throw away. Or burn. I’m sure you can relate!
• Coffee money! To take myself out on a date.
• Ten things I can do to feel better.

I’ve also discovered the Happiness Jar, which is something I might add to my Blue Day Box.  Remember, a Blue Day Box is just for you – you can (and should) make it as personal as possible. What would go in yours?

Links you might like:

How to Make a Bad Day Box
Some more unique ideas. I love the idea of adding an iTunes gift card in there as well.
Elizabeth Gilbert: Your elusive creative genius
One of my favourite TEDtalks. This one is great for creative anxiety – whatever that creative medium may be.
Soul Board
This is one of my Pinterest boards – stuff that feeds my soul. It may be a good source of inspiration for uplifting quotes and affirmations for your Blue Day Box.
Love Actually Bad Day Box
An article about making a Blue Day Box for someone else (like your partner or a special friend).
Yoga Download
Free and Paid yoga workouts – I can vouch for the free ones, with a range of  levels and intensities.

This post is shared on Mountain Woman Rendezvous Blog Hop: Women’s Safety & Wellbeing