It has been a hard year in one way or another for everyone. Mental health has taken a dive and many of our usual coping activities have become less accessible. I am no exception. On the bright side (?), I now have a third flavor of depression to add to my menu.
![](https://avidlyravenous.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/flavors-of-depression-1024x441.png)
In the summer, I was coping better. Outdoor activities were easier, gardening was a possibility, and the sun was dosing me with that sweet sweet vitamin D. Now, the short days of winter have my feet dragging and my mind foggy. When you're stuck in a sticky pit of despair, it can be hard to find a reason to reach for the hose...but perhaps a bit easier if the hose is labeled "despair demolisher" (follow me for more flawless metaphors).
I'm guessing many of you might feel similarly this time of year. So, today I am going to share with you some of the self-care activities I have used in the last year to combat the slowly crushing weight that is depression. I hope that seeing my activities helps even one person to brave their own struggles.
First on my list is the time I spent with these three heroes:
![](https://avidlyravenous.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/The-goofball.jpg)
![](https://avidlyravenous.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/the-cuddler.jpg)
![](https://avidlyravenous.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/My-love.jpg)
Then, there's crafting. For me crafting is a productivity hack for my weary soul. See brain, I'm not doing anything important. Surprise! It was actually a scarf the whole time! I realize that the fruits of my labor aren't exactly gold star worthy. However, when vines of unworthiness creep through my mind, I channel my inner Mr. Rogers, who said, "I'm not very good at it. But it doesn't matter. It's the fun of doing it that's important". So, I choose to cut away the vines and venture through my mediocrity full of passion.
![Cross stitch that says "I can't adult today"](https://avidlyravenous.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/cantadult.jpg)
![A painted rock of a turkey](https://avidlyravenous.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/turkeyrock.jpg)
![a painted rock with flowers and a snail](https://avidlyravenous.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/flowerrock.jpeg)
![A cross stitch of a dancing bear](https://avidlyravenous.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/crossstitchbear.jpg)
![A knitted black and white cowl](https://avidlyravenous.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Cowl.jpg)
Many walks were had
![A husky staring at a crafted dog](https://avidlyravenous.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/walk2-1024x575.jpg)
![A husky on a walk, from leash holder perspective](https://avidlyravenous.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/walk1-651x1024.jpg)
![A husky sniffing the leaves on a walk](https://avidlyravenous.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/walk3.jpg)
Fires and Family (following all pandemic rules)
![](https://avidlyravenous.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/fire2.jpg)
![](https://avidlyravenous.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Fire-1-1.jpg)
![](https://avidlyravenous.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/grandma.jpg)
![](https://avidlyravenous.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/momanddad.jpg)
And of course, I took time to indulge myself.
![a charcuterie plate with raspberries, salami, crackers, cheese, mixed nuts, and jam](https://avidlyravenous.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/charcuterie.jpg)
![a tuxedo cat laying on an arm, over a partly done puzzle](https://avidlyravenous.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/puzzle.jpg)
![A stack of homemade breads including sourdough, french bread, and white bread](https://avidlyravenous.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Breadstack.jpg)
![My husband standing at the edge of a lake as the sun sets](https://avidlyravenous.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/camping.jpg)
Tell me about your self-care activities. I'd love to hear them.
[email protected] says
If only everyone had a multi-purpose mood enhancer. What a useful addition.