I don’t think I’m alone in having been struck down by the inescapable feeling of meh, the feeling that nothing is exciting anymore, nothing is inspiring, the feeling that nothing is really anything, the feeling that I have called the funk. The funk is a tricky one because it doesn’t always have a cause, and it certainly doesn’t have one set remedy. The funk can last for an hour, or a day, or a year.
But just because it’s difficult doesn’t mean that we should stop trying to beat it. As ever, the solutions I’ve come up with are things that have worked for me, and might not work for everyone. If you’re really struggling with this demon, or any of the others I’ve written about in this series please seek some proper help.
Because the funk is so tricky, I’ve made two things to try and fight it. The first is a check list of things to do when I’m feeling that cloud descending on me, because quite often I get restless and don’t so anything and end up feeling worse because I’m stewing. I’ve left some spaces at the bottom so you can print it and add your own funk fighting activities at the bottom, because what makes everyone happy is different. If you’re stumped for ideas I’ve written a list of 48 self-care activities you might like to browse.
The second weapon in my arsenal is an emergency anti-funk kit. I sometimes send bits of these out in cards for friends in case they’re ever feeling down, but I’d never made one for myself and I thought it was about time. In my box there’s everything from chocolate, to movie suggestions, to a candle I like, to a card a friend wrote me that makes me happy.
THIS. I can completely resonate with this, I’ve been in an on and off ‘funk’ for about 8 months now, sometimes there isn’t really a proper reason, it’s just that invisible cloud hanging over you like you say! I really like the idea of revisiting successes that you mentioned, sometimes it can be easy to forget all of the good little or big things you’ve achieved when you’re feeling so low! Lovely post 🙂
Xo Gemma
Sunday Somewhere
I’m sorry to hear you’ve been in the funk for so long, it’s the worst. Sometimes it’s nice just to remember you can do good things and have good times, and that you will again even if it’s tough and these are only little pick me ups. Sending you all of the love to fight the funk with x
I really relate to this. And that meh feeling can just come on at any time! One of the things I do is I keep a list of things to check off. Some of the items are fun things, like write this story/article. Then, once I get started I find the feeling slowly disappearing as excitement blooms.
You have a lovely blog!
http://thetatteredpassport.wordpress.com
That’s such a good idea – I’m a huge fan of a check list!
This is such a good idea! Lately, I’ve been struggling to overcome the funk but no matter what I do, it doesn’t seem to go away completely. I’ve never really considered writing a to-do list. Although, I probably really need to because it would make me feel way more productive. So glad I came across this!
-Alicia x
http://www.serenitylifeblog.com | Lifestyle & Advice
It really does, plus when you fill it with nice things you get to feel productive without having to do something work based or stressful which is double the fun. I hope you manage to get out of the funk soon Alicia!