I’ve mentioned this before but I have been struggling hardcore lately. I know it’s the depression talking and I’m fighting it off the best I can but some days it gets the best of me and I can’t muster the energy to do anything beyond the necessities of life. And sometimes it’s hard to even do that. But I keep trying and plugging away the best I can.
It’s on those days that I think about the things I can do to make me feel like I have my life together. I don’t believe in fake it till you make it but I guess this all falls under that. I suppose this list can work even when I’m feeling like my best self because who doesn’t want to feel like they have it all together?
- Dinner in the crock pot
- Wearing a matching bra and underwear
- Bills paid, grocery shopping done, full tank of gas, and no looming laundry mountain
- All the DVRd shows watched
- All the podcasts current
- All the open tabs read and closed
- Seeing the living room and kitchen completely clean with no stray items anywhere and everything in its place
- Fresh manicure and pedicure, either DIY or paying someone else to do it. Polish colors don’t need to match
- Going a day without running an errand because everyone has everything they need
- The cat spending the whole day in the house without begging to go outside (this is more of a personal victory than feeling put together but it still counts)
- Crossing off all the items on ye old to-do list
- Getting everything I need at one store (unless that store is Walmart, which is the bane of my existence. I hate that fucking place. I sometimes purposefully drive to four different stores simply to avoid our local Walmart)
- Wearing lip gloss even when I know no one else will see me
For the record, these don’t all have to be accomplished on the same day. If even one of them is done, I feel like I’m put together.
What makes you feel like you have it all together?
I love ❤️ this!! I always immediately thank the universe
When things go well. Like all 3 gsds pooping on one trip outside, especially on a rainy day like today!
I agree with most of your things!
Safe and easy day to all! #aprilshowers
Love, Steph’s Momma
I have a few things that give me the illusion of being put together too!!! They include lip gloss, a clean kitchen, the five minutes where there is nothing in the laundry basket, a clean car, or a day I was able to shower and dry my hair.
You have a child now. Good luck with the clean car.
So good! I can relate to many of these. My kitchen is never clean. I would add doing something to my hair, even if no one will see it. Since I cut it, it puffs out and it isn’t cute. I feel icky when I let it do that, but if I straighten it, it’s like I’m winning at life.
When my hair doesn’t look like a bird lives in it, I feel very accomplished.
I need to make a list like this to help me see I am more put together than I realize some days. Also I am totally there with you about the victory of the cat not complaining to go out. The struggle is real in my house. Once the weather gets warmer she gets into crazy whiney mode and it goes on ALL. SUMMER. LONG. Ugh!
Mine is allowed outside but not in bad weather or weather that’s too hot or cold. She was an outdoor cat for a bunch of years before we were able to get her primarily inside but she needs her roaming time.
Completely agree. Although, I don’t think I own matching bras and underwear anymore because I’m super particular about underwear. But everything is only black or nude so it kind of counts?
Yes. It counts.
I feel most put together if I’m taking good care of myself and not eating crap. Funny too in that it’s 100% in my control, and yet I fuck it up all the time! Also if I’m having a good hair day. How is it that hair can make or break a day?
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A good hair day is magical. And two in a row is a miracle.
Yes.
When my dogs sleep through the whole night and don’t whine to go out at 3am.
When I clean the dishes right after dinner. (RARE)
When the dining room table and coffee bar in the kitchen are free of clutter.
When there are no notifications on any apps on my phone.
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I have no notifications on my phone. I can’t stand them and I am good at ignoring emails so that number is just for decoration.
The final walk of the night is my favorite. No more dog walking for the day is beautiful.
I’ve been a bad friend. You know I am here via phone/text/email if you need me I hope.
Some things that make me feel put together:
-If I don’t have to eat out for breakfast/lunch/dinner
-Sink with no dishes
-Dining room table cleared
-Nails painted
-All laundry put away
-An empty trunk. My trunk is constantly full of shit.
You’re not a bad friend. It’s okay.
My trunk is usually empty. So I guess I have that going for me.
I’m sorry that your depression has decided flare-up. I know how tough that is and here if you need me! Let’s see what makes me feel put together … putting on real clothes, a clean(ish) apartment, paid bills and completed to-do list (never happens). Those things make me feel put together. What makes me happy is reading a good book, snuggling with Max, cooking a delicious and healthy(ish) meal and seeing the ocean.
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The ocean is amazing. Cheapest therapy you can find.
Bits of chaos and clutter can irritate depression like hot sauce in your eyeball or icy hot on your privates. It’s a real thing. I feel best put together when …
I remember to pack underwear
My car is clean(ish)
Most crumbs are wiped off my keyboard
These might feel small, but they carry such considerable punch!
If my car was ever clean, I’d want to know who stole it.
These are all great things…can you imagine if they all happened on one day!! wow. I really feel put together if my hair is having a good day, my clothes are fitting right, and I’m not tired. 🙂 It’s a good day when our kitchen is clean and the laundry is all caught up on too though.
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If they all happened on one day, I’d never do anything ever again.
Thanks for this. I’ve been really down lately, and my anxiety/depression has been getting the best of me. Getting just one thing off my list helps. Also, getting some exercise usually helps. And I HATE Walmart too.
I exercise regularly but that doesn’t do it for me for feeling together. Now wearing regular pants? THAT might do it.
I dont think my podcast list has ever been caught up… I think I just need to go wipe them all out & start fresh so I feel like I’ve accomplished something 😉
I *might* have done that on a couple. #noshame
I can’t tell you the last time that we had zero shows on our DVR, and yet we’re always complaining that we don’t have anything to watch. That would be a huge accomplishment to clear it out though! And yes for matching underwear! it’s like your own little secret 🙂
When I say zero, I should have clarified it to mean my shows. My family will never be done with theirs.
Those are all huge accomplishments! Huge kudos on no laundry mountain, I feel like that is one hill I’m never going to conquer! I avoid Walmart like the plague also. Ugh.
I haven’t actually done them all. Just a couple at a time. To feel better on some days.
I’ve had a bad case of the blues lately too. Maybe I need to make a list.
I FUCKING HATE walmart because the customer service sucks. I pity the customer service person that crosses me on a bad mood day.
I hear you about lip gloss. I wear lipstick every single day. It’s my thing.
It’s not just the blues for me. It’s depression.
Walmart is a special kind of hell. I do not understand the people who don’t mind it.
I love this! Getting caught up on blog comments or blog posts makes me feel pretty put together. I’m currently behind at the moment….sigh.
-Lauren
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I am always behind. Always.
when I have looked at my planner and everything has been done for that day.
A fresh mani/pedi makes me feel put together, too 🙂
I can’t think of anything off the top of my head that makes me feel put together which is actually scary. However, when I do feel put together I can actually feel it in my body I am not sure that makes any sense but physically my body feels put together.
Awesome list. My house isn’t “clean” until the kitchen is spotless. Matching bra and underwear…now thats fancy! LOL Great list!
Great list Momma. I’ve been doing okay these last few months, *knocks on wood* but I know what you’re going through. I’m definitely not a fake it til you make it person either. Why trod around and be fake? Pretending to be something you’re not is not only exhausting but I feel like you’re not being authentic. It’s okay to not be at your best, you know? That’s life.
You’re fancy. I don’t think I have many bra and underwear sets at all anymore.
I always feel much happier and like life is all dandy when countertops are clean and clutter-free.
Try and have a great weekend hun,
Lindsay
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For me, a clean apartment is KEY. Towards the end of the week when dust piles and shoes scatter the floor and crumbs adorn the counter I start to LOSE it. I clean every weekend, but notice around Thursday I start to feel like I’ve lost control of my life and it’s harder to relax/breathe in what I would consider a ‘mess.’ On Saturdays after I clean, I feel GOOD TO GO. Oh, and my hair. If my hair is not cooperating, well, it’s not gonna be a good day.
I will also drive to multiple stores to avoid Walmart. But there is one good thing: no matter how “blah” and “ugh” you feel, there will be people at Walmart who make you feel better about yourself .
1) Thanks for admitting you are struggling. Me too, and sometimes it is worse when I feel alone.
2) Yes & yes to the underwear & crockpot! Crockpots are the best ever.
3) Having my outfits planned for the week. I manage this about every other week and it’s just SO NICE to not dig out of the dryer/etc.
I absolutely feel better when my house is clean. Even with just the 2 of us and cat, though, it rarely stays that way.
When I was unemployed and dealing with my own depression, sometimes just getting up in the morning, showering and getting ready would do the trick – even though I was just staying home. Something about putting on make-up and real pants tricks the brain, I guess?
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