My 7 Fave Coping Techniques

As I mentioned last week, coping techniques abound. Here are seven things I actually do when the going gets tough.


Digitally Paint a Room

Above: Remember that time we painted Shirley's nursery? 



Most paint companies/suppliers offer a free online mock-up tool where you can select a colour of your choice, and 'apply' it to a room so you can see how it looks.

I find this soothing as I like to read the paint chip colours, and it's fun to imagine your dream house if you are unable to control the colour of your walls (renting life, amiright?) 

It's also fun to imagine a theme - what shade of pink works best for each room so Barbie can feel at home? What if this were a haunted house? Pick a theme and give it a go!


Try it:

Benjamin Moore - Colour a Room

Cloverdale Paint - Colour Visualizer


Read a Recipe Book/Cookbook

This one doesn't count if it's online or a blog -- you start jumping around and next thing you know you're just doomscrolling again. Get yourself an actual hard-copy cookbook (remember, you can rent for free from a library, you can also find tons for cheap at thrift stores) and go through it. You don't even need to cook anything!

For me, reading through the orderly and predictable ingredient list and cooking method is just...simple. Sometimes if you are lucky, you come across some really unique cookbooks which makes it all the more amusing.


Watch Adult Cartoons

Above: Tuca & Bertie!

I know this isn't revolutionary as it's dangerously close to binge-watching, but the thing with adult cartoons is that they have to be funny to make it to the small screen. What is a better antidote to stress than a good laugh? My faves are Big Mouth, Rick & Morty, and even relatively older shows like Tuca & Bertie are still super fun. Titmouse in particular seems to make lots of good shows worth checking out.


The Other Calming Herb: Skullcap

Of course talk to your health care provider before trying this; I can say for myself that I have found skullcap tea to be very soothing.

Skullcap is a totally legal plant that is relatively cheap and available in Canada. Like chamomile, it is very soothing. Taste-wise, it's not as obviously pleasant as peppermint, it just tastes leafy to me.

Try health food stores. I got mine in Vancouver at Finlandia through their herbal dispensary (you do not need a prescription, just walk in and ask).


Want to learn more about plant allies and herbs generally? I recommend* the following:

Worts + Cunning blog by Alexis J. Cunningfolk

Asali Earthwork's blog 

The Herbcrafter's Tarot

*Remember to support the work of these fine folks via their Patreon accounts if you can, and the tarot deck please consider purchasing through a local supplier like Banyen!


Garment Care



I'm not talking just laundry or KonMarie method here (though of course that is fine too!) Much like reading recipe books, focusing on a small, useful tasks with low stakes is a good distraction. 

I like clothes, so I will often turn to steaming or ironing what needs doing. Carefully look at your clothes and snip off any loose threads. Run a garment brush over them or lint roller. Just a little bit of adulting to look a bit more polished and repair your clothes feels good.


Make a Playlist

Using whatever music service you prefer, make a playlist! Pick a theme like a season (Winter/Summer/Back to School), or your favourite Christmas tunes, make yourself a new work out mix, etc. 

An occasion is also a good way to make a playlist (the perfect dinner party, Galentine's Day, midterm panic study playlist, graduation, roadtrips, etc).

Another thing I find entertaining and amusing is providing an 'alternate soundtrack' to a favourite show of yours. For example, I've made playlists that I think would suit Twin Peaks and Adventure Time.

Here are a few of my recent playlists:

Summer 2020

Pandemic meltdown playlist

Songs without vocals


Listening to Bardcore

Above: Jolene bardcore cover by Hildegard von Blingin'


OMG BARDCORE. The clever wordplay. The lyres and lutes. It's just so fun. My fave of course is Hildegard von Blingin'.



More on coping and self-care elsewhere

Girlboss offers a tidy list of 10 things you can do right now for self care

Are you coping or are you just being sold something? From K-Beauty to Ulta Beauty's Wellness section, Bitch offers timely critiques of self-care here and here.

A cautionary tale of positive thinking from Bitch as well.

Autostraddle offers: Can You Scroll Your Way to Self-Healing?



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