My oldest darling India, is in year 10 now … but in Grade 5 she had a teacher (thanks Nicole) who suggested that naming 3 good things each day was a helpful practise for your mental health. And a good conversation starter. Indi brought this advice home. Since then we’ve been doing this pretty regularly. If we sit down together for afternoon tea. Or at dinner time.

When we first started the kids were a bit silly about it, with lists like 1. recess, 2. lunch and 3. home time. But even these responses gave me a chance to ask questions. What happened at recess that was fun? Who did you play with today? etc. Creating a little bit of space for us all to stop and listen to each other. And start conversations that could lead anywhere …

5+ years later the kids can always come up with a good list instantly, and it truly makes my heart sing that the positive is right there front and centre in their minds. They get it that the joy can be tiny, and that actually whatever they say is ok …

So, 3 good things.

This lockdown at our house we have fallen in to just shopping locally, which for us means Station Street. No Coles. No Aldi. No Woolies.

The good things that I think about when I head down there?

1. The walk itself

2. Knowing that we are supporting local businesses, and

3. The chance to (hopefully) say hello to neighbourhood friends along the way!

Also … this lavender in our street cheers me up every single time I pass by.

As we all hunker down even further, perhaps now IS the time to do something just for yourself. Like a workshop or course in something.

If you’d just like to take this idea for a spin (rather than committing to anything full-on) you might like to explore Laneway Learning. Here’s their regular pitch:

Laneway Learning runs cheap, fun classes in anything and everything. It happens on weekday evenings in cafes, bars and other spaces around Melbourne. Classes usually have about 20 people to keep it friendly.

Having adapted to corona-times, they currently have a wide range of things on offer that run on zoom and really are affordable - some started at $9, most I looked at were $14.

Here’s a list of some of the courses coming up:

• Creative paper flowers

• Exploring watercolour pencils

• Slow stitching - enjoying the making

• The pleasure of writing

• Make your own reusable mask

• Self compassion in troubled times.

Sounds good right? Cheer yourself up and check them out!

As mentioned previously, these posters are now available - out the front in the community art bin - a gift from us to you! Help yourself when you are walking past. And … look after yourself!

Over the last couple of weeks we’ve scattered our new little GIFs throughout our posts. These moving images are all about things we can do (no matter the circumstances) to improve our day and increase our happiness. Some of them are about self care - like eating and sleeping well and making a plan (so that you feel you have some control and direction). Some are about building connections with others - helping others, talking to friends, meeting neighbours and interacting positively with people in the street. Others are about getting out in nature and keeping fit. And then there’s some about the importance of growth - continuing life long learning and pursuing and enjoying your passions.

Last week we asked people in our community if we could put their voices over the top of the animations. Click below to see the final result! It’s lovely.

We’d really like to acknowledge funding support from Clifton Hill/North Fitzroy Community Bank for this project. And for supporting us more broadly to boost our online communications in these rapidly changing times. Thanks guys! We’re so lucky to have such an ace community bank in our neighbourhood.

12 things that we can all do to improve our day