We All Need Some Good News

Dear Optimists,

Den is a huge Office fan. HUGE. HUUUUUUGE. He pretty much watches it daily. It makes him so so so so so so so so happy.

So when John Krasinski posted his new Youtube show, Some Good News, Den was pretty excited. Especially when Steve Carell was on Some Good News as well!

John’s show is a combination of fun and positivity, something we here at DO adore. We love that the show is making such a positive impact on people. We ALL need some good news.

Den is hoping John does more. Lots more. Maybe one with Jenna Fischer?

Or just make an Office reunion season already!

Love,

Den & Nadia

P.S. Den’s favorite Office episode is Stress Relief. What’s yours?

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Pillow and Blanket Fort, Anyone?

Dear Optimists,

How are you dealing with the stress that everyone is feeling right now?

We have always built pillow and blanket forts, but these days they’re a bit different. It’s kind of a kindergarten for Baldur, a place for Alda to study and read – and it doubles as my work space! All at once. Can you imagine working inside a pillow fort? It’s AMAZING.

Often we’ll listen to audio books while cozying up under the blankets – both stories and educational books, of course.

A blanket fort is a great example of how you can be together with your kids, enjoy yourself (because who doesn’t love a fort!?) and make your boss happy because you get your work done. All in the comfort of a giant, fluffy pile of pillows and blankets.

Life hack, you know.

Love,

Nadia and Den

Foraging in Denmark

Dear Optimists,

In Denmark, Nadia has been spending some time on learning how to make sour dough, which is fun for everyone (especially watching it rise).

She is also making food from things she and her family find outside. Imagine that, optimists? Foraging in 2020! These times have created such a unique opportunity to try new things with the family (or whomever you are stuck inside with!)

Nadia’s kids are now showing interest as well. They search for dandelion leaves, nettles (small plants high in vitamins), and more.

Den wasn’t sure what nettles were or how to use them, so Nadia told him.

“They’re a certain type of plant. They sting so you have to be careful. It’s the new shoots of nettles that are good to eat. Collect, wash, dry and put them in the freezer. Smash them up and put it in your dough. Boom. Vitamins galore.”

Sounds like fun! But with Den’s luck he would collect poison ivy by accident.

Love,

Nadia & Den

Bear Hunting

Dear Optimists,

This week, my neighborhood is doing something nice for the kids.

People are putting teddy bears in the windows. Why, you may ask?

Well, with all that has happened, people are walking around the neighborhood much more. We walk during breaks, or on nice days, or just to get our kids (or ourselves) out to move around a bit.

Someone had the brilliant idea to start a trend; put a bear in a window that can be viewed from the street…then take the kids out to look for the teddy bears.

It’s called a BEAR HUNT! And it’s fantastic.

Love,

Den and Nadia

P.S. Nadia says in Denmark they are doing something similar with rainbows. Is anything like this happening where you live? Let us know in the comments!

Time off

Dear Optimists,

This is us these days!

I’m spending every waking hour at the University, writing essays, articles and yet another thesis. It’s absolutely fantastic and I love every bit of it.

Den is of course busy planning the perfect wedding – as you can see on the picture, he’s very preoccupied.

This isn’t goodbye. Our lives are just so amazing these days that we can’t find time to write all the fantastic things down and draw it up for you.

Don’t worry, we’ll be back… we’re just taking a break.
We’ll miss you!

Love,
Nadia.

Hug a teddy

Dear Optimists,

Every day we struggle to find happiness and boost our self-esteem. We build optimism gradually, with willpower and, of course, smiles.

But years of work can be destroyed in a single night. A single phrase, commen or facial expression can shatter every self-confidence we have and drown our good mood into a storm of negativity.

Yes, it’s hard to stay optimistic. But it doesn’t mean we should give up. We should start to build everything again… but not without support and affection, which can effectively come from a hug – with a huge fluffy teddy bear!!!

So who said that lonely people could not have a hug as well?

In hard times, teddy bears (or whatever teddy animal you love) can really help. Believe a 16-year-old teenage girl. Haha.

So next time you’re sad, hug a teddy bear. It’s the next best thing to a hug from a loved one!

Love,
An Evil Nymph.

Shadow Puppets

Dear Optimists,

Last week the gal and I were driving to a friend’s house for a little get together and the sun was setting, creating this really cool shadow of us in front of the car. I had to point it out to her.

“Look at how cool our shadow looks!”

As she looked I decided to wave. She giggled.

It’s the little things.

Love,

Den

Early Morning Horror

Dear Optimists,

There’s nothing like watching a horror movie in the early morning as I eat breakfast before work. Here it was, 6:30 A.M. and my television ends up on one of my favorites, 28 Days Later. I ate Cheerios with little banana pieces as I watched bloody, disease-ridden people try to eat other people.

What a morning.

Love,
Den

Trick your mind into happiness

Dear Optimists,

On bad days it’s hard to find the face that suits your mood.

Some walk around showing their exact emotions, tainting others with their negativity. Others put on a fake smile and no one will ever know what exactly they feel.

Obviously, it’s important not to hide your true feelings – if you’re feeling blue; you’re “allowed” to display it.

At the same time, it’s tough to be around really negative people that can’t see anything optimistic about a dandelion growing on the side of the motorway (as a certain someone).

Studies have shown that not only will a smile affect others around you; it’ll also affect your own mood! Simply put: you trick the brain into believing you’re actually happy!

So, on a gloomy day, wouldn’t it be better to just smile and laugh about how easy it is to bluff your own brain?

Give us a smile in the comments!

Love,
Nadia.

PS. Big thanks to everybody who gave me great advice when I was feeling low.

Guest Post Wednesday: They say it’s half empty, but I can see it half full

Dear Optimists,

Negative thoughts, uh-oh!

I always wonder how people allow negative thoughts eclipsing their own self. I mean ain’t there better things to do than feeling dejected; better as in replacing the bad thought with something that instills positivity within us. Rather than focusing on bad, seeing a positive side would definitely be instrumental in making one upbeat. Guess, this is one of the reasons, why I always see the half glass full 🙂

Positive thinking has innumerable benefits on the physical well-being. In my case the daily affirmations have beautifully played the game. Two years back, I lost my loved one in a terrible car accident. I couldn’t stop myself going into the dungeons of despondency, I tried by all means to replace the thoughts and in the process I came across a mesmerizing piece very well written by Louise L Hay and it is from here that I started saying my daily affirmations:

This sweet letter (pun intended) has actually worked in transforming my life. It gave a healthy perspective in life and of course, a competitive edge in standing tall irrespective of any filed in life. I no longer feel any sullenness, in fact, they say its half empty, but I can see it half full 🙂

Love,
Bethany.
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About the author: Bethany is a blogger by profession. She loves writing on technology and luxury. Beside this she is fond of gadgets. Recently an article on Cuisinart Coffee Maker attracted her attention. These days she is busy in writing an article on Fuel Cells.