Bookworm Cottage Style

Joanna Goddard recently wrote about a mission that helped boost her mood after a recent breakup: going to a bodega to buy flowers in person and going to the store to pick out a new body wash. In Joanna’s words, “having a low-stakes mission out in the world, getting fresh air, and smiling at strangers felt bolstering.”

What I liked about this advice is that it reminded me of one of my own life mottos… good things happen when you get off the couch! 

Running an errand in East Cambridge I ran into a grad school classmate who invited me to a party that weekend. On an aimless walk near Fenway I ran into another classmate who was headed to the movie theater and invited me to join her. Invitations I would not have received had I simply stayed indoors.

Even on a smaller scale, bumping into familiar faces in unexpected places gives me a sense of belonging and camaraderie. During the week of my wedding I ran into one of my bridesmaids strolling down Newbury Street. In my own little suburb I bumped into a friend at the library. I bumped into another friend at a brewery. And I’ve bumped into neighbors on a hike. All of these little interactions give me a rush of main character energy. 

When you’re really in a funk and aren’t ready to socialize, getting off the couch can still be restorative. I hate being home alone with no plans on a weekend, even if I’m feeling blue and not mentally up for talking to anyone. Going to the movies has been a balm for the soul during times like those. Being at the movies forces you to be present, away from your phone and your inner worries. It gets you out of the house and out into the world. And it feels like a mission accomplished, a day not wasted.

Although I haven’t read Scott Galloway’s Notes on Being a Man, a line from the book jacket caught my attention: “Get out of the house. Action absorbs anxiety.” My thoughts exactly! 

So… have you left the house today? If not, let this be your friendly nudge!