How to: get out of a funk [6 DO-ABLE STEPS]
I’m just going to say it: Ever since Kobe left us here on earth, I’ve been in a terrible funk. His tragic departure wasn’t the only thing that was off in my mind/life at the time but both of those things combined together have thrown me into such a rut that sometimes I don’t feel like I have the energy to fight it. I get mad, then really depressed but also try to act like everything is A-okay when it’s actually not. Facing my emotions is something that I try not to do but it’s actually been pretty healing to just let the emotions come and go. Since I’m starting to feel better I decided to share some things that are helping me fight this rut.
(1) It’s okay to cry
I hate crying.
I hate it so much that once I finally decide to cry I can ball for hours because it’s like a river of tears that need to just flow out. Lately I’ve stopped letting the tears build up and I’ve just let them flow.. This has caused extreme confusion for me but also my body. I’m learning that it’s okay to let the tears flow. It’s ok to just be human and NOT be okay all of the time. After the tears flow I always force myself to get up and do something. Whether it’s meeting up with a friend, going to the gym, or drive around. This helps my body come back to life after feeling emotionally numb.
Rule of thumb here: Cry it out, then work it out → don’t stay trapped in your tears.
(2) Remember to eat.. But don’t overeat
Whenever I’m in a MOOD my appetite is usually completely gone or I’m stuffing my face with every craving I could ever think of.
What usually happens is I’m so wrapped up in my mind that I forget to eat and then why I finally remember to eat I’m so emotional that I want to eat everything. How I save myself is by having a go to meal that I can cook and enjoy myself. This week it was chicken and rice with different veggies that I made into a bowl one day and then a crunch wrap tostada another day. Your meal doesn’t have to be as extensive as this. It could even be a peanut butter and jelly sandwich!
Rule of thumb here: Don’t let your emotions destruct and destroy your appetite → stay in control.
(3) Talk to people, but don’t take it out on them
As I get older I’m learning there’s a fine line between venting and talking. I have learned to hold my emotions and thoughts in for the sake of not wanting to weigh others down with “my problems”.
I do know that it is very useful and necessary to talk out your problems but I also know that not everyone is already emotionally ready or available to take on the weight of my problems as well as theirs. What I’ve learned to do is try to give a preface to when I’m going to vent. By saying “Can I vent now?” before I spill the tea, I’m able to see how often I’m putting my problems onto others and also recognize how often I’m focusing on my problems! I’ve also noticed to stay clear of people when I’m “in my feelings” because I don’t want to take out my emotions on them. It’s a real fine line to walk but …
Rule of Thumb here: Think before you speak → sometimes a journal, or voice memo can be just as useful as talking to others!
(4) Small wins everyday matter
Two things I was doing almost everyday before I fell into my rut: working out and doing a 10 minute ab workout. Although I could see VERY little progress it was the mental progress that mattered more. I set an intention and was sticking to it every single day (well almost every day). And that’s where confidence comes in. I’ve noticed it’s very rare that I am feeling confident about myself and in a rut. Those two things just don’t fit together. Confidence comes from small wins every day.
Rule of Thumb: Find something simple you want to change / improve about yourself and do it every day → everyday counts!
(5) Take care of yourself + your space!
No matter where you live or what you do, we must make time to take care of our minds/bodies but also our space!
Have you ever noticed your life seems to be way more difficult than it has to be when your room/place is a mess? That is me 10000% of the time. If you’re currently in a funk, sometimes it feels nearly impossible to get out of the bed but cleaning up one little part of your room or place makes a huge difference and gives you the confidence to continue to do more! The same goes for your body: don’t feel like giving yourself a full home spa treatment? You don’t have to! Give yourself a face mask or pluck your eyebrows.
Rule of Thumb here: you can’t pour from an empty cup → so po’ up for yourself sometimes!
(6) Get outside your comfort zone
I will end this post with a few of my favorite quotes about comfort zones. Often times we fall into a rut because we are no longer mentally, spiritually, or physically challenging ourselves. Our minds and bodies become complacent and things just get out of whack.
Rule of Thumb here: Challenge yourself to get out of that comfort zone!
And it doesn’t just have to be physical things. It can definitely be mental too! A lot of times my negative thoughts need to be CHALLENGED. I get comfortable with talking down to myself but a very simple question to always follow up every negative thought is: Is that true?
“change begins at the end of your comfort zone.”
― Roy T. Bennett
“I have realized; it is during the times I am far outside my element that I experience myself the most. That I see and feel who I really am, the most!”
― C. JoyBell C.
“Sometimes we have to step out of our comfort zones. We have to break the rules. And we have to discover the sensuality of fear. We need to face it, challenge it, dance with it.”
― Kyra Davis
I hope this post challenges you to confront your rut. It’s no joke getting out of a funk but finding small ways to overcome it will be worth it once you’re feeling confident again.
Until next time my loves!