A Step by Step Guide to Getting OUT OF A FUNK

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Don’t get me wrong.

Being in a funk is not a bad thing. They’re a natural part of life that’s to be expected and accepted. As much as I’d rather live on a serotonin high 24-7 (and believe me, I try), you’re bound to crash back down again and spend a few days (weeks) on the floor. And that’s okay! Welcome these lows like an old friend. Show them where they can rest their heads. Bring them some tea.

Now that we’ve covered that, we can admit that the funk is not a fun place to be. If you feel like you’ve given yourself enough time to sit in this state and are ready to get back up again, I have a step by step plan for you. Of course, everyone functions differently so what works for some, might not for others. I encourage you to try it though and maybe you’ll feel a little better again, even if just for a day. And the best part? You don’t need to leave your home to do it! In fact, you’re required to stay indoors, it’s kind of a key part of the process. Let me explain:

1. Carve out one full day for yourself and make no plans

You’re going to need 24 hours here. Just open your planner and see when the next open space is. Can’t get out of Saturday brunch with Alyssa who you’ve cancelled on twice already? Fine. Pick the following Sunday. Set this date as your “day” and mentally establish it as your healthcare day. Write it down to make it official, and by no means compromise this day for anyone! If those tempting invites come in, you have to decline, for your own sake.

2. Begin that day with a movie & your favorite snacks

Whaaat? Movies at 9:00AM? Yessir. I like to go for something I’ve seen plenty of times before and can rely on the comfort it will provide. I encourage you to pick something lightweight, like a romcom - something that pumps happy thoughts into your brain. While you watch, indulge in whatever it is you want to eat. Ice cream, chocolate chip cookies, pasta, quesadillas, nothing is off the table here! The point here is to feed into your funk, while simultaneously breaking routine. Give the funk everything it wants. Instead of forcefully trying to struggle out of it, fully satisfy its needs.

3. Get up and shower

Now that you’ve indulged the funk, it’s time to get out of it. After a satisfying 2-4 hours of this, crawl on out of bed and shower. I feel like showers provide an instant change of mindset, and that’s definitely required here. You can jam some happy tunes and take your sweet time. Do a coffee scrub, moisturize thoroughly after, and take your time in your ten step skincare routine.

4. Slip into something cute

Try reaching far back in your closet and pulling something out you’ve forgotten you loved. I tend to wear the same four outfits throughout my week just because they’re easy and comfortable. But today you want to feel a little different. Maybe there’s that sundress you really love but only got to wear once. It’s time to bring that look out again, ladies.

5. Clean your entire home

Make sure you have an upbeat, endorphin pumpin’ playlist to go with this! Put your phone away once you’ve decided on the tunes, then roll up your sleeves and get to cleaning. Cleaning gives your hands something proactive to do and lets the mind run on auto-pilot. You’re not feeding it external information, but allowing it to run in a relaxed self sufficient tempo. Deep cleaning your house literally gives you a new setting to exist in, and for anyone that’s ever done a deep clean, you know what I mean when I say it just feels transformative.

6. Spend 2-3 hours on your hobby

I feel like in today’s day and age, no one actually has time to spend on their hobbies. I know few people who practice the guitar now, although I knew plenty a decade ago. Whatever your creative medicine is, be it writing, singing, dancing, drawing, knitting, now is the time to do it. You are finally actively carving out two to three hours to do the thing you’ve been saying you want to do. You are finally doing something for you.

7. Eat something healthy for dinner

You’ve satisfied your food cravings in the morning, so come back to a healthy routine in the evening. We want to end the night gently resetting to your usual healthy routines. That being said, it’s still your day, so if your mind says one more cookie! You say absolutely baby girl.

8. Journal how you feel

You’re back in bed, pen and paper in hand, and it’s time to reflect on how the day made you feel. Do you feel refreshed? Have you figured out what put you in the funk in the first place? How do you want to start the day the next morning? Write down all the thoughts and feelings that passed through the day, and remember to be gentle!