I stayed up later than usual on Saturday night, choosing to watch a film, West Side Story, the Steven Spielberg one, all the way through. My OH slinked off to bed. But I like, sorry, love, West Side Story and wanted to revisit the story with this new-to-me production. I found it compelling, and heartbreaking , and it tells a tale which is still relevant today. I love the songs, especially the catchy ones, with the dancing and grouping of the Jets and the Sharks, gangs of young people on opposing sides of a cultural divide. There was one part that was so moving I felt the tears welling.

Anyway, I went to bed and felt that a creative spark had been lit.  felt more positive, and while I was waiting to fall asleep, solved not one but two of the small problems that had been bugging me for weeks.

The next morning, spirits high, I suddenly felt more productive, more alive than I had since… oooh, I don’t know when. Certainly, the turkey and tinsel days, whilst pleasant, had left me lazy and instilled bad food habits which were proving hard to turn round.

So, one small pleasure, the film, had performed the oracle: set me back on track, hurray! I’m amazed. Someone here on Moodscope suggested very recently that one small event can improve mood and brain function. Well, I do believe it is true.

What I cannot fathom is why that, and not something else, and why the shift is lasting ( so far!) making things seem more positive and,well, …doable!

If you have theories, explanations, or similar experiences as the one I’ve tried to outline, I would love to read your comments

Sally

A Moodscope member