Chasing Amy-Lou

This time last year I was basking in the blistering heat, developing a nice tan, somewhere off the coast of Queensland, Australia (probably Fraser Island come to think of it); taking in the magnificent coastline views and not worrying about having to buy a new winter coat. What a difference 365 days makes! I’ve been back in the UK for almost four months now and as the dank and dreary, overly depressive British weather sets in (think rain. Continuous monotonous rain); as the nights get darker and the days get shorter; as that annoyingly real S.A.D rears his ugly little head; and all you can think about is sunshine, and you pray that today might just be the day you actually see a bit of blue sky as opposed to a blanket of grey, it becomes increasingly hard to remain upbeat about things…and life…and stuff (unless you take a bucket load of those happy pills that make you grin from ear to ear like a deranged Cheshire Cat and bounce around like Tigger on some sort of class-A drug that is).

However, if like me you’re a naturally happy person (don’t laugh, I am – I’m a constant chuffing delight) who hates feeling down and can’t stand all the wintry moaning that becomes all too familiar at this time of year, you’ll love my little list of positive points to help you maintain that cheery, summery disposition (even though looking in the mirror at the end of a long day might leave you thinking you could pass for a drowned albino rat and summer seems like a season someone made up once, one that will never be seen again. Ever).

In a world where there’s so many beautiful things to be happy about and thankful for, why let another shitty British winter get you down? Here are my top tips: let’s stay light-hearted and keep that glass half-full! (Reader beware, the following may contain some slight sarcasm and/or dry humour)

1. If you’re reading this then it can’t be all that bad – you’re obviously not dead! Hoorah! So that’s a bonus.
2. Always remember this: if you happen to have a roof over your head and somewhere to sleep at night, then you’re doing a darn sight better than some folk out there. Stay humble.
3. If you feel the world is against you and those dark nights are getting you down, or your electric has been cut off and you’re left reading by candle light, unable to cope because you’ve been offensively ostracised from the outside world (help!), just bear this in mind: you don’t live in a warzone where every waking moment is lived in fear: fear of bombs going off above your head on an hourly basis (unless of course, your average domestic is sometimes worse than a successful ISIS plot; in that case, I really can’t help you).
4. The nights may be dark and it may be getting colder but guess what? It gives us the perfect opportunity to layer-up, snuggle on the sofa and not feel guilty about eating copious amounts of chocolate! Woohoo! Pass me the Cadbury’s, I’m off to put myself in a Dairy Milk coma!
5. When considering how shitty your life is, as the rain batters your window pane and the wind blows your fence posts down, always tell yourself: nothing is permanent, only temporary. For example, if you have a job you hate and can’t stand the thought of getting up in the morning to go and sit in an office all day, then only YOU have the power to change that; only YOU can alter your situation. If you really want to change jobs or take a leap of faith then go for it; longer, colder, darker nights mean more time indoors – the perfect opportunity to get online and start searching for something more fulfilling.
6. Staying with the ‘more time indoors’ theme; not being able to venture out of the house due to obscene and horrific weather conditions that would make even the hardiest of weathered people want to slit their wrists, comfort can be taken in the fact that there’ll be more time to spend doing lovely indoorsy things like reading, or catching up on sleep, or spending time with loved ones, and maybe even talking to them! See…it’s not all doom and gloom! 
7. When you feel that frown coming on and the gale-force winds have ruined your perfectly coiffed hair; and the number 23 bus that you waited half an hour for just drove past you faster than Lewis Hamilton doing a lap of the Monaco Grand Prix, straight through a puddle, ON PURPOSE, drenching you in muddy rain water…just laugh. Laugh until it hurts. Learn to laugh at certain situations and to take things on the chin – it’s Britain, we do humour unlike anyone else, so make sure you take advantage of any opportunity to have a chuckle, especially at yourself. If you don’t laugh, you’ll bloody well cry, and that does nothing for the British stiff upper lip, does it?!
8. Christmas Markets! Think mulled wine, bratwurst, hot chocolate, free cheese samples! Need I say more? Manchester, Glasgow, Birmingham and London have some cracking Christmas markets, so find your nearest offering, wrap up warm and head out for a delicious cinnamon-spiced drink.
9. Novelty onesies. That is all.
10. It might be drizzling, and it might be cold, and it might not be sight-seeing weather but just think…when else would you get an opportunity to get the waterproofs and wellies on, grab your hat and gloves and go for a Sunday stroll in the local park or countryside? There’s nothing better than blowing the cobwebs away with a bit of fresh air; it counts as exercise too, and we all know that’s supposed to be good for you.
11. Winter is the time for hearty food. This is a fact. Imagine all the yummy meals you can experiment with at this time of year – stews, casseroles, warm and filling desserts. And did I hear someone mention pies??? 
12. To keep the positive vibes flowing and to help you get through these long winter months, maybe doing something good and noble with your time could be the way forward. I know acts of kindness should be carried out all year round and should sometimes go without saying but they will be appreciated so much more as we head into colder climes – try volunteering at your local homeless shelter; take a box of tinned goods to the nearest food bank; donate unused or unwanted warm clothes to local charity shops or schools; or simply buy that homeless guy you pass everyday on the street a cup of tea or a mug of soup. There will always be someone out there less fortunate than you, so when you think your life couldn’t get any worse and the weather is making you want to curl up in a ball and die, go and make someone’s day by spreading a little love this winter; who knows, it might even make you feel better about yourself too.