Hello my doves! … Ok I can’t keep up analogies or anything, but here I am dive bombing you with posts! >.> But in a good way! We have new friend Alexia Adams visiting with us, and I hope you enjoy the post – I think it’s quite clever and fun. 😀

3 Free Ways to Beat the Winter Blues

January is not my favorite month of the year.  I’m cold, broke, and spring seems an eternity away. It’s dark when I wake up and dark by the time I start dinner. If you’re anything like me, and are not so fond of January, I have three suggestions to help beat the winter blues. And in keeping with Limecello’s tag line, they’re a little bit tart, a little bit sweet.

•    Escape in a book. I’m a writer, what did you expect me to suggest? Read a book. Reread your favorite book if that’s what makes you happy. Borrow a book from the library. Grab a free read from your preferred e-retailer. Or win one (see below).  A word of caution, select a book with a happy ending or you’re likely to wind up even more depressed. I don’t suggest you read Crime and Punishment by Dostoyevsky or anything by Thomas Hardy, even though they’re great books. Try a romance novel, because then you’re guaranteed a happy ending. Want to escape to the tropics but don’t have the funds? Read a romance set someplace warm. Grab a blanket and your preferred hot beverage and give yourself a mini vacation for a few hours. Enjoy.

•    Be Sweet. Compliment someone, preferably a random person you don’t know. This may seem hard, especially if you’re rather shy, like me. Consider it your brave quest for the day. Please be genuine. Find something you can honestly say and go ahead and do it. “That scarf looks wonderful on you.” “I really love your boots.” “Have you just had your hair done? It looks fabulous.” Try to choose someone over the age of 30 who may not get regular compliments. Harassed mothers or the elderly would be prime “targets”. Don’t be creepy, pass on your compliment and leave. You can stay around long enough to hear the startled, “Thank you,” but don’t linger. I challenge everyone who reads this post to randomly compliment one person in the next three days. For maximum benefit, try complimenting three people. You’ll probably make their day and I bet you’ll feel better at the end of yours as well.

•    Be Tart. Have you picked up your mail today? How many credit card applications did you get? Look inside. Does it have one of those postage prepaid envelopes? Have other junk mail you want rid of? Send it off to the credit card company. I bet the person who opens the mail would love some coupons for leg waxing or fast food or new vinyl windows. Imagine their joy as they munch on a half price triple cheeseburger, thanks to your generosity. And think of all the postal jobs you’re saving by using the mail. Plus you’ll have less to put in the recycling. Win, win, win.

So, there you have it – my three, free ways to beat the winter blues. I’d love to hear how you get on with these suggestions, especially the second one. I’ll be checking back for comments over the next few days. And further, to celebrate ALBTALBS 3rd Blogiversary, I’m offering three electronic copies of my debut novel, Singapore Fling. By the way, Lime, did I tell you how great your shoes are today?

And you know cuz I love the book info … 😀