3 Steps For Getting Out Of A Funk

If you follow my blog, you may be aware of the fact that up until a couple of weeks ago I was struggling in a weird “funk”. Well, the truth is, being positive is always a struggle. But, I don't usually “give in” like I did recently. For a few months, I had lots of negative thoughts, a lot of fear, and a lot of anxiety.

Thankfully, things have been taking a turn for the better. I've also noticed that a lot of my decisions have been causing things to change.

Now, everyone is different, and I'm not saying that you're guaranteed to feel 100% joyful after practicing these ideas. This is just what works for me, and I would encourage you to practice these as well.

1. Detox.

By “detox”, I mean detox everything. In order to get a fresh new start, you have to get your mind into the habit of clearing out what you don't need. You literally have to train your mind to get rid of all of the crap you don't need in life.

Go through your desk and clear out everything you don't need. Clear out your drawers, bookshelves, cabinets - whatever daunting section of your house or office that should've been cleaned a long time ago, clean it. For me, it was just cleaning the house in general. Nothing crazy, I just picked up and threw away a bunch of things that don't I don't need anymore.

The second thing to detox is your body. Try to avoid sugar, don't over-eat, and make healthier choices in general. I've always been a healthy eater since I was a kid, but when I'm down, unmotivated, or anxious, my healthy eating habits go out the window. Not only that, but I feel guilty about it and nothing good comes from that.

Lastly, detox within your relationships. This is a hard one, but I'm sure there's at least one person in your life that might be bringing you down. If it's not intentional, just someone who is negative, try to be honest with them and share how you feel. Ignoring their negativity isn't good for them either. If it is intentional, do away with them. That’s usually easier said than done, but if you're in a position where you can cut them out of your life, it's probably for the best. You don't need that.

2. Consume.

Now that you've completely rid yourself of everything you don't need, it's time to fill yourself back up with some things that will benefit you.

For me, I need time alone to do something creative. Whether it be drawing, playing music, or taking photos. I need to escape to a place in my mind where I'm free to express my emotions and feel motivated the deeper into it I get. Maybe you’re not introverted like me, but do something that is rewarding to you even during the process. Then, share your progress with friends, family, or on social media. Getting compliments isn't a bad thing, remember that.

I also recommend getting inspiration from elsewhere. Read a good book that inspires you, teaches you, and gets you excited about something. Watch lectures. Spend a whole day doing nothing but listening to podcasts, watching TED talks, or watching some inspirational movies. If you need it, why the heck not? Get your brain back into “consumption mode”, because the next step is going to require some action.

Don't stop consuming until you've got ideas.

3. Build.

Make your ideas a reality. Start by focusing on just one idea. Think about how you can start making progress toward that one thing right away, and get moving. Combine ideas, create, explore concepts you didn't before, and put things together to build something awesome. This is the most exciting part. When you get an idea, act on it. If you want to do something nice for someone, do it. This is exciting and so much fun. At this point, you're finally free!

The building stage works like a snowball effect. Ideas beget ideas and the next thing you know, you're passionate about something you never would've imagined before. However, that's not to say that bad things won't come your way again.

Personally, I find myself repeating this cycle several times a year. I usually go through the detoxing phase 3-4 times a year. For some, it may be more or less frequent. All I know is that being stuck in a funk, sucks. This isn't guaranteed to help, but I hope this encourages you to start moving in the right direction. 

You got this.