How to Get Out of a Funk
Ah yes, quarantine. There’s nothing quite like feeling that there is nowhere to go, nothing to do, and little to look forward to. Even worse— there’s endless time that’s apparently meant for being productive and bettering yourself. I can’t lie, quarantine has been quite the experience for me. I feel as if I’m fluctuating between two extremes— joy and happiness to have this time to myself and dread and boredom at the expanse of time I’ve been given. It has lead me to the funk I’m in today, dearest readers. Unfortunately, I’m familiar with this feeling. It’s one I became well acquainted with during my high school years, and it’s not a pleasant one. Being in a funk can leave you feeling as if there is nothing worthwhile to do and nothing that can make it better. It can feel like your life is a mess that you don’t have the energy to clean up. It makes you feel, in a word, miserable. Luckily I’ve been through this rodeo a time or two. I thought I’d share my tips and tricks for getting out of a funk, because let’s be honest— we all have em’ and we know they ain’t too fun.
keep a journal
I’ve been keeping a daily journal since middle school, and man-oh-man has it helped me through this quarantine. When I think about my past few weeks trapped inside, it feels as if every day has just been the same (a thought that is quite frankly depressing.) Forcing myself to write down the happenings of my day allows me to notice that my time isn’t just melting away, but rather being experienced and used by me. It is a great reminder that my time right now is mine to do with what I wish. Writing in my journal has also been a great way to get out my feelings. I find it easier to express my emotions on paper, and it allows me to get to the root of many issues that are bothering me.
make a vision board
Okay, this sounds so cheesy, but I’m seriously about to do this when I finish this blog post. When I’m in a funk, I often feel like I have nothing to look forward to and no direction in my life. As a goal-oriented person, it can be quite frustrating to not know what’s coming and to lose sight of what you’re working toward. I’m a huge believer in manifestation and visualization (here’s a GREAT video on it,) and I think a vision board is the perfect way to lift your spirits and remind yourself of what you’re working toward. Plus, who doesn’t love a fun craft? I like to take my old magazines and rip out the words and images that inspire me and relate to my goals. No detail is off of the table— think about the life you want to live, the clothes you want to wear, the house you’ll be in. Think about the people you want to be surrounded with, the job you want, even the way you want to feel. I find that this sort of visualization is really beneficial for my mood and gives me a clear idea of what I want out of this life. If collaging isn’t your thing, then write these ideas out on a piece of paper. Design the life that you want for yourself and write out the type of person you want to be. You can hang this up somewhere you will see it and it will be a great reminder of what you’re heading toward.
tidy up your space
This is currently sitting at the TOP of my ever-growing to do list. It’s been hard to motivate myself to do anything lately, especially cleaning. Despite it feeling like such an ordeal, having a clean space is essential for feeling better. In fact, having a neat space is connected to having better sleep and even better focus (learn more about the science behind it here.) Take a day to wash your sheets, dust off your counters, and do your laundry. Open up your windows and let in some fresh air. Take out your trash. If you’re feeling ambitious, organize any junk drawers or messes that have accumulated in the hidden corners of your home. When you’re finished, light a candle and bask in your fresh, clean space. I promise you’ll a little feel better.
reevaluate your routines
Now more than ever, it’s easy to fall into some bad habits. Some of mine include: a 4 AM bedtime, waking up at noon, habitually skipping breakfast (and other meals, due to lack of structure,) not showering, MAJOR procrastination, and even regularly eating raw cookie dough as a late night snack (salmonella, anyone?). These habits are not helping me at all. In fact, I consistently wake up feeling pretty shitty— tired, unmotivated, and lacking the energy to get anything worthwhile done. What’s the solution? Reevaluating the routines I have set in place and creating healthier ones. For instance, I need to set a specific time (let’s say eleven pm) to start unwinding and getting ready for bed. I know that my phone is a major distraction late at night, so at that time, I can set it down and take a break from the tech. At night, I want to write in my journal, review my day ahead, pick out my outfit, shower, do my skincare routine, and read before falling asleep at a reasonable hour. I chose a few positive rituals to add to my routine, and removed a few negative ones. You should do the same thing with your morning routine as well. As of now, I wake up at noon, immediately get a cup of coffee, and plop down on my couch to watch Youtube. A better way for me to wake up would be at a reasonable hour (eight or nine, perhaps) and to start off by getting a cup of hot lemon water. I used to do this every morning while I was abroad and I miss it! I also like to make my bed in the morning, stretch, and write down three things I am grateful for. This little practice starts my day on a positive foot and sets the tone for the rest of my morning. By reevaluating your routines and setting new intentions, you can add some positive structure to your life.
tackle that to-do list
One of the horrifying consequences of this quarantine funk is the endless to-do list I have acquired. By putting assignments and tasks off, I have accumulated what feels like an impossible amount of tasks that need to get done. Ignoring them, however, isn’t a solution. It can feel daunting to write out everything that needs to get done, but putting it on paper gives you a realistic idea of how your time will be delegated. Once you have your list, don’t try to complete all of the tasks in one day. Instead, grab your trusty agenda or calendar and plan them out for the coming weeks. By spreading out your to-do’s you avoid overwhelming yourself and make the list more manageable. This has made my procrastinated school assignments, internship tasks, and personal goals seem doable!
feel pretty
This is probably one of my biggest tips for conquering a funk! These days, my go-to uniform has been sweats or leggings and an oversized tee. While this fit is certainly comfortable, it’s not one that I feel pretty in. When I feel unmotivated or even down on myself, I try to feel beautiful. I’ll wash my hair, do my nails and makeup, and put on a real outfit. This gives me the change to feel like myself again and like the person I am. It sounds superficial, but feeling confident in your own skin can be such a mood booster. If you’re really feeling yourself, take a few selfies or outfit pictures to commemorate the way you’re feeling. You can post em’ or revisit them later when you’re feeling down!
find things to look forward to
One of the main reasons I feel bored and dreadful is the fact that I have little to look forward to in my life right now. College seems far away and unsure, and nothing thrilling can happen in the immediate future. While I can’t plan a fun European vacation (I was supposed to be in Spain right now,) I can schedule exciting activities in the coming weeks— social distancing picnics, cool workouts, even sunset drives. I can plan zoom calls with my friends and I can go get takeout from my favorite local restaurants. I can lay out in the sun and I can read more books and magazines. By adding these to my schedule, I actually have something to look forward to every day and that motivates me to keep pushing forward.
I hope these tips were able to help you deal with your funk or quarantine blues! If you have any tips for conquering these feelings, tell me on Instagram!
Wishing you all a wonderful week.
XOXO,
Sadie
