While I have been recovering from tennis elbow the last few months, I have noticed my mood dip and my anxiety rise because I can't do what I used to and therefore what I'd like to do.  I really noticed it the second week I was signed off sick, which was during the first full week of February as I didn't have anything specific planned like going to the cinema as there was nothing on that week that I wanted to see.  

Although I have been back at work for six weeks now, for the first week I was on restricted duties because I wasn't able to zip up jackets or rehang trousers, let-a-lone use my left arm to carry stock or merchandise the new season stock with it.  After a couple of weeks back, I slowly tried to see what jobs I could and couldn't do with my left arm and slowly I've been able to do some of the jobs I usually do.   This has helped me a lot in the past month.

It's quieter as well sales-wise as always at this time of year, in between the new year and the build-up to Easter when families start the think about going camping, but as I'm able to do more now than a month ago, my mood and anxiety has improved a lot.  

I'm able to redress a half bust now but I'm not trusting myself with a full mannequin just yet.  I'd rather take my time and be careful with my recovery and not do too much too soon and make it worse now when it's doing so well.  While I was off and I was typing some blog posts up, my elbow would ache after a short while, but now, however, I've already typed up and scheduled one post before starting this one.  That's how far my elbow has come now.

A few weeks ago at work, I was having a bad day and so looked at what I could do right then to help me feel better and improve my mood.  I looked at what things I had coming up that I was looking forward to and I wrote the list down.  It went as follows;

Thursday, February 28th

- Week off in March

- September holiday 

- Work's Christmas meal

- Haircut on Saturday

- The house to myself for the weekend

- My homemade bolognese and some garlic bread for tea tonight

It's only a short list but it did the trick of making sure I have things to look forward to. It's an important thing as it helps to get you out of your head and realize things are always better than what you're thinking at that moment.

We always have our work Christmas meal in February or early March at the latest after the Christmas and New Year craziness has calmed down.  This year it was a little later than planned because I was off work and time got away from me. 

The September holiday was booked three days after writing the above list.  I booked a few nights away in Shrewsbury in September, it will be my second holiday in twelve years and my second ever solo holiday.  This is what I was most excited about this list when I wrote it.  The last three were more immediate things that would change my low mood, but something so far in advance is very important I think.  It's giving me focus on something and I'm quite excited about it!  

What things are you looking forward to in the next few days, weeks month and the upcoming year?