Anti-Blues Recipe
Arty’s Recipe to brighten your soul
The February Blues are real, but Arty has a colorful solution!🐾✨We’re trading grey skies for "Happy Orange" and "living warmth". Arty is sharing his 3-step recipe to brighten your soul and reset your focus during the winter stretch. No leash required for this one! Read on for the recipe.
It is absolutely gorgeous here in North Idaho and the greater Inland Northwest, with beautiful mountains and lakes to enjoy at every turn. The sunshine this time of year, however, is a little more elusive. Short days. Long nights. Grey skies. Cold temps. And a serious case of the “February Blues”. The struggle is real. So, how do you reclaim the light? Arty begs you to try out his new recipe!
Now there’s a thought . . .
To combat the blues, look to the opposite side of the color spectrum toward the oranges and yellows. In *color theory, blue is the opposite color of orange—or in Arty’s case, “Happy Orange”. Orange is often thought of as a warm & friendly color. It can signify energy and playfulness. Surrounding yourself with colors of warmth creates an environment where you can thrive and begin to create the antidote to the blues. Arty is the epitome of “happy orange”, greeting me with a wagging tail, joining me on a (very) cold walk, or curling up on the couch with me. His friendliness mirrors the warmth of his namesake color. And the great part is that you don’t need a leash in your hand to stir up these ingredients!
Used as a visual cue and a spark for the eyes, the first ingredient in this recipe is color. Take the photo below, for example⬇️. The color orange is a key component to changing your focus. Just the sight of orange can function as a signal of safety and energy, a “visual reset” button. Whether it’s a suncatcher’s glow or a vibrant pillow, small pops of color around your house invite you to step away from the shadows and toward the light.
The cutest little “Happy Orange”
Even as a puppy, Arty was destined to bring Joy!
Looking at color is only part of the recipe. The second ingredient is living warmth. You need physical proof of your humanity. Holding your favorite mug filled with hot tea, sitting near a crackling fire absorbing its warmth, or eating a wonderfully ripe orange—these are more than just thinking uplifting thoughts. These actions move the concept of “Happy Orange” from a thought in your head to a feeling in your bones.
The third and final ingredient is connection, the heartbeat that brings “Happy Orange” to life. While Arty is a wonderful expression of this spirit, connection is found in the small, deliberate moments we create in our day. This can be as simple as checking in: bring cookies to your neighbor, finally make that “just because” phone call, smile and greet the cashier by name, or swap your solo workout for a session with a buddy. Be creative and reach out, especially when the light is low. Bundle up and take that walk from your parked car to the little corner cafe to meet your friend. Those steps are stirring up the ingredients for your very own anti-blues recipe.
Arty shows how this recipe yields more than a fleeting feeling of happiness; it is a full-sensory antidote. By combining a visual spark, living warmth, and genuine connection, you create synergy that leaves little room for the “February Blues” to take hold. As the shadows recede, and the blues begin to fade into the opposite side of the color wheel, you begin to cultivate an inner climate of 🌻 “Happy Orange”.
Arty isn't just a dog; he’s a breathing, wagging color theory in motion! We can’t control the weather, but Arty reminds us—even in the greyest months—this recipe is powerful enough to recolor your day. The blues never stood a chance.
*note: Color theory is a vast and varied topic—from painter’s palettes to pixels on your screen. While they may differ in technicalities, one thing remains constant: when we use color thoughtfully, the results can astound us.
