- Mark Twain.
About a month ago, I was feeling pretty down (which isn't that uncommon in people with clinical depression). Trying to distract myself from the emptiness, I scrolled through Facebook when something caught my eye. A suggested post from a page called Blurt Foundation. There was a photo of a box full of goodies accompanying the post; I was intrigued. I clicked onto their website and read about this box - a Buddy Box.
People who have mental health issues or simply want a pick-me-up can order a Buddy Box for themselves off the website - you can also order for a friend if you're that kind hearted, you just need their address. You can buy a one off box or a variety of subscriptions. To my blogging friends, you can also apply to get a free box to make a post just like this on your blog. I didn't because I have 3 followers so I don't have much to offer in the way of advertising! I just ordered one normally because I can't face rejection.
So that's how you order them. Onto the contents! They're usually things that will lift your spirits or distract you - I've heard people talk about colouring books and craft projects in previous boxes but here's what I got in my box.
1: A box of tea
Weirdly for a Brit, I don't drink tea. Just don't like the taste. But I know it will be appreciated by someone else. A friend or the LGBT centre or something. Passing it on will give me a nice self esteem boost, fighting the self hatred that is characteristic of most mental illnesses.
2: A candle
This smells pretty strong! But hey, what else will cover up the smell of the kittens' litter tray? I'm not really clued up on the effects of plants but maybe geranium and basil scents are soothing or relaxing. I'll have to do my research there.
3: A game
OK, I absolutely loved this! It's the perfect distraction. It says it's for 4 or more players which was off putting because I don't have enough friends to make a group of 4 but it's fun for just two players. Mum and I did a test run and she was amused and befuddled by my impersonations and attempts to describe who I was talking about without using the words on the card. I think this game will be even funnier with my brother so I'll probably get more use out of this game before the year's up.
4: Fridge magnets
Now these are funny! Even if Mum won't let me use the fridge, I'll have to find a magnetic board for my room and print out pictures of myself, my cats and my family and friends so I can stick our photos up with moustaches! What do you think, would I suit a handlebar or a Fu Manchu moustache more?
5: Smelly oil
Honestly, I'm not crazy about the smell of eucalyptus. I'm also not sure what vaporising oil is. Like, does it evaporate? I don't know. I'll probably ask around my friends and see if any of them koala-fy to take this oil off my hands. Get it?! Koala-fy?! Because koalas eat eucalyptus leaves! Hahaha - oh my, I am just too much!
6: A personal message
This is probably intended for people who are sending a box to a friend but I've made a habit of sending uplifting messages to myself via email (not for the hell of it, just when I had to send myself a document) so I attached a message for myself with a cute little pun because who doesn't love a pun? Present means two things!
7: This card
This. I love this idea. Remember what I said earlier about kindness to others being beneficial to your own self-esteem? Yeah. Prime example right here. How good am I going to feel after leaving this for someone else to read whatever lovely words I choose to write and hopefully gaining a slight bit of happiness or maybe leaving it for someone else who needs it more? I mean, I haven't figured out what to write on it. Or where to leave it, for that matter. Maybe in a book at Waterstones? Is that legal? I mean, the books don't belong to me. But it can't be illegal to tuck a card between the pages? Can it? OK, it's probably not meant to cause this much anxiety!
So there's the sort of things you can expect from a Buddy Box. Pretty cool huh? Please check out Blurt Foundation on Facebook or at their website. I would put a link but I don't know how to and I'm way too tired to learn how at the moment. But I know you are clever people who can navigate the internet - unlike yours truly!
Have a good night, everyone
