Purring Cottage: Monday's Musing: Battling Depression with Beauty and Creativity

I know that we are not all created to be artsy and for some to try to battle depression with arts and crafts would only lead to more depression because they're just not gifted in that way. Nor does the process bring joy.

But for some of us, it give us pleasure to delve into making things. My passion is quilting, but I also love crocheting, embroidering, and other handwork. When my first child left home to go work in the oilfields, I spent most of the day comforting myself by making a quilt.

I have processed a lot of emotions at my sewing maching (as well as at the piano).

But perhaps you are not "crafty." How can you add beauty and creativity to your day and to your thoughts?

Some people enjoy cooking and baking and making the presentation a work of art.

Just putting a little vase of flowers in the middle of a dining or coffee table can perk up your spirits.

Maybe just cleaning the bathroom could add some beauty to an area of your home. And adding a cute shower curtain that doesn't cost too much is a beautiful touch.

One touch of beauty I enjoy is beautiful dishes. So I go to thrift stores and buy a variety that appeal to me and use them now and then when I want to enjoy the variety and feel a little whimsical. Color appeals to me and brightens my day, so the colorful varieties bring me cheer.

Even just some interesting, perhaps seasonal, napkins can bring a note of beauty.

As can simple things like colored pens with which to journal, or even make grocery lists.

The sense of smell is a big contributor to beauty, so light some "smell-goody" candles. Be sure your home is clean enough to smell pleasant. Of course, cooking and baking can add to the enticing aroma of your home.

Beautiful sounds also affect your joy level. Music choices come to mind as either depressing and heavy, or harmonious and encouraging.

One of the things that led to me seeing beauty more in my daily life was the book One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp. It opened my eyes to a lot that I had before taken for granted. She also finds that photography helps you to see more minutely and more grandly the many beauties around us.

Beauty can be found in quite a variety of ways and I encourage you to make the effort to bring beauty into at least one small area of your life. You'll be surprised how you want to make that beauty expand into more areas.