My boyfriend has noticed it, my family has noticed it, and now I’ve noticed it. I’ve been in a funk, a rut, a self-loathing coma, and it’s time to snap out of it. Tomorrow is a new day and I don’t want this funk to take over it. I can’t call up my magical genie to take away the funk; it’s all up to me. When I’m in a funk-mood, I typically stay to myself. I’m short with conversations, I listen to folk-pop bands, watch an excessive amount of indie films, and read a lot of books. I fall asleep before most seven year olds and wake up at the ass-crack of dawn. I make coffee, think about hiking the Alps, which I would never do, and then paint canvas. Repeat. I’m sure they’re worse things I could do in a funk, but it just feels like a big cloud over my head all day long. I’m sure a lot of you already know that I used to be on anxiety/depression medicine, and I’ve found many healthy ways to cope and always look at the positive without it, but being happy all the time doesn’t work. Tonight, I found myself staring at my computer screen for a good 45 minutes while resting my open eyes, deep in thought. I don’t even know what I was thinking about, and then realized it’s time to get out of this funk. The best way to start any goal is to make a game plan, and that’s what I’m about to do!
- Figure Out The Base Issue:
Before you can fix anything, you have to find out what it is you need to fix. Figure out what’s bringing you down or what you’re missing. Maybe it’s someone, maybe it’s you, your environment, and scenery or maybe it’s your job. Figure it out and try to fix it.
- Exercise
This seems like the answer to all problems, and it kind of is. When I’m in a funk or upset, going out on a walk helps me clear my head while getting some fresh air and sunshine. It releases all types of feel-good chemicals in your body, it gives you confidence, and controls anxiety. Whenever I have anxiety, I blow it all off by going for a good run.
- Eat Healthy
Eating healthy is another one that seems to solve all problems. Depression and anxiety can be caused by a lack of vitamins or special nutrient that your body needs to function. The brain usually operates the funk, and so eating foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids can help brain activity. Eating vitamin D, and protein also helps with mood. Eating healthy makes you feel better, which makes your mood light and happy.
- Do something you love
Maybe you’re not doing enough of the things you love. Sometimes if life gets busy and we push our hobbies aside, we don’t feel complete. If you love writing, running, or baking, try to make time for those things. We can’t let work, or worries get in the way of the things we love doing. We only get one chance to live here on earth.
- Sleep
If you’re not getting enjoy sleep, it can really affect your mood. Not sleeping enough can make you hungrier throughout the day, grumpy, or sluggish. There are so many health issues that are sprouted from a lack of sleep. Sleep more!
- Get Inspired
Maybe you’re in a funk because you’ve lost sight of your goals. I like to read inspirational stories, documentaries, and inspire myself to focus on my dreams and goals. I also like to create new goals when I’m in a rut because it’s something new to focus on and get excited about.
- Friends & Family
If laughing isn’t a mood booster then I don’t know what is! Being alone can make that funk grow deeper. Get around people to pull you out of that funk. Be open minded and willing to have fun because if not, your funk will bring their moods down. It’s contagious, so laugh until your abs hurt.
- Give Back
Sometimes it takes seeing what we don’t have to make us feel better and or more fortunate. It might take a smile from someone we helped to make us feel better. There is nothing more humbling than volunteering and giving back. Start working at a soup kitchen, join big brothers big sisters, or donate to a food drive. We all need reality checks now and then.
- Forgive & Pray
Sometimes holding a grudge or being mad can put you in a funk. If someone said something to you that dug deep and hurt you, pull out all those mean and hurtful things and forgive. If you need help finding the courage to forgive, pray to God to guide you through. Pray that God can put you on a happier path. Give all your worries to God.
- Make a List
As conceited as it sounds, write down 25 awesome things about yourself. Sometimes we don’t hear it when people compliment us, and we forget how awesome we actually are. Recognizing how important, worthy, talented and awesome you are definitely brings up the mood!
- Want To Change
You can’t expect to fix a problem if you don’t want to. We are really good at lying to ourselves about our well being, but try to dig deep and be honest with yourself. Change is good, it’s healthy, and it builds a happier ending. If you like being in a funk, which I have no clue why anyone would, then you won’t be able to change.
Sierra @La Spice Sisters says
Awesome blog post Taralynn! So inspirational!
Taralynn McNitt says
Thanks Sierra!
Allison says
“I make coffee, think about hiking the Alps, which I would never do …” This made me laugh! That is totally how I am in a funk, too. I start planning lives for myself in other states that I would never move to and investigating random career changes. This was a good post and I hope you get out of your funk soon! Also, I hope you don’t feel like you always have to put on a happy face for this blog – I enjoy your honest, introspective posts just as much!
Sunny says
I so needed this!
Jaquelyn says
Hi Tara, I think this is a great article and you have a lot of good tips here! However, why do you think people need to pray to God to be happy? My parents raised me as a Buddhist, so I am very spiritual, but I don’t think it’s necessary to pray to any one god – or any god at all – to get out of a funk, be happy, forgive, etc. I understand that you are very religious, but since this is not a religion-based blog, you might alienate a lot of readers by advising them to pray to a Christian God.
Just my thoughts 😉 – keep up the good work!
Kams says
I’m agnostic but I guess that one didn’t really bother me. I take it more as doing what works best for me. Using the tools I need to bring me at peace.
Crystal says
Jaquelyn,
Evangelizing is something God calls us to do for all. It’s not an on and off switch. We are called to love our neighbors as ourselves and bring one another into communion- into the body of Christ.
“so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.” Romans 12:5 NASB
This comes at all times.. even at the grocery stores or a blog.
P.s. Thanks Taralynn, for bringing the mention of God! I love reading your posts, they are heartwarming. Especially how open you are!
Jaquelyn says
It’s great that you believe in that, but that is not my religion, it’s not what I believe, and I don’t read Taralynn’s blog to be “evangelized” or converted. I’m perfectly happy with my spiritual beliefs, and I don’t feel the need to force them upon others. “No one saves us but ourselves. No one can and no one may. We ourselves must walk the path.” – Buddha
Heather says
As a fellow Buddist, I totally agree with you!
Kristin C says
Hey Jaquelyn!
I am a Christian and do agree with Taralynn, but I think your question is a great question! It’s totally acceptable to wonder why Christians do what they do 🙂
I think the main thing for Taralynn is that she is a lifestyle blogger, which gives her the freedom to write on any topic. That’s why I love lifestyle blogs. One day I may see and craft, the next day I may see an article about running, and then in the next I can see a religious viewpoint.
It would be the same for you. If you had (or if you have) a blog and I was reading your blog, I’d just be like, “cool, I’m not Buddhist, and I disagree, but it is awesome to see her heart and learn about another viewpoint”. 🙂
I think it would only alienate people who aren’t willing to listen to other view-points. I think it’s good to be willing to hear people out 🙂
Have an awesome day!
Paige says
I’m an atheist and I couldn’t care less.
Lisa says
This is so ironic because I’ve been feeling the same way and just put together a similar list for myself last weekend. I keep it on my dresser to glance at each day and remind me of my goals and the things I want to do to get there. Some of mine were the same as yours (definitely the adequate sleep and healthy diet thing – I find that I need up to 2 extra hours of sleep per day when I eat too much crappy sugary food, it’s frightening!) Other things I had on my list are to try new fitness classes like yoga or Zumba because I usually work out on my own but sometimes it’s hard to stay motivated and frankly it gets a little lonely to always do it alone. I also have been looking for group activities on meetup.com to try new things and meet new people because our social circles seem to shrink over time without the forced socialization when I was a student 🙂 Great post! Hope you get out of your funk soon.
Audra says
I feel like I could’ve written this myself. Thank you for “giving back” during your funk. It was much needed & well received.
Linda @ The Fitty says
I HATE being stuck in a rut. The best way to get out of one is to get outside and get actove. It clears your mind and refreshes the body.
Pauline says
Hi Taralynn,
Love the post! But I have a problem with getting motivated. Whenever I’m in that’s mood (I have anxiety medication as well) it feels very hard to stay on track with eating healthy and exercise. Those are the first things to go when that mood comes.
How do you get motivated to go exercise / make healthy eating choices when you are in a mood?
Love,
Pauline
Elizabeth says
Love this, Taralynn! Whenever I’m in a funk, I try to do most of these, and they definitely help! 🙂
Sandra says
Thank you for this! I have been in a funk for a while, sometime you just need to see something to get you out of it! I woke up this morning and read your blog.
Sally says
What a nice post! I have been in a little funk for a while too. Nice to see that it happens to other people. Love the list of ideas! <3
Rebecca says
Thanks for the ideas. What types of volunteer work have you done?
Taralynn McNitt says
Volunteering at Soup kitchens is one of my favorite things to do. I’ve done BBBS and helping out with fundraisers. You can find all kinds of charity/volunteer work in your local newspaper.
deanna says
Aside from daily meditation, I also take magnesium and a 5htp supplement for mood support. With 5htp I can feel immediate results in my mood. Read up on them if you want. They might be beneficial to you.
Liv @ Healthy Liv says
This is such a great post! When I’m in a funk, i like to try to get a change of scenery, whether it’s driving home for the weekend or just going somewhere for the day to get some new perspective.
Running usually helps, too 🙂
Jen says
All great ideas! Where are you volunteering to help you out of the funk? Helping others is always a mood booster!
I’ve also found that really just focusing on the structure of my work day helps too. Even just that feeling of productivity, seeing my education finally pay off and regular interaction with people at work can help take my mind off of things.
Lindsey T says
Amazing post Taralynn and so very needed right now for me! Pretty much all ten things I need to focus on right now. It’s so easy to become consumed in work and nothing else and life is too short. Today, because you’ve inspired me, I’m going to go for a walk mid day to clear my mind even just for 15 minutes. You’re so great, such a great writer and so inspirational! And another thing, it’s your blog, you pray to whomever you want and don’t hold back when writing about it. Sheesh!!
Rachel says
Thanks for the inspiration Taralynn! And yes, God truly can lift us up out of any kind of funk. We can do all things through Christ who is our strength! It’s so refreshing to know this truth. This, along with fresh air, a healthy lifestyle and a thankful heart can mend any sort of despair! Thanks for posting! Have a great weekend!
Kams says
I love love love this! It is so easy to get in a funk. Sometimes I struggle with getting motivated to even do something but I find that I usually feel better when I just get up and do it. I have really struggled with depression and anxiety myself and am being weaned off my meds for several reasons. One being that I would like to try to manage using other methods.
I hope you get out of your funk soon! I love reading your posts. You are an inspiration to many. Keep up the great work!
Cassie says
This is so helpful! It’s so important that we relieve our stress and depression by doing these things!
Rachel says
Hey, I’m glad you’re finding ways to get out of your funk. But I did want to clarify (more for your younger readers who may not know better) that “being in a funk” has nothing to do with being clinically depressed. Depression is a very real and serious medical condition caused by a whole host of genetic, environmental,and psychological factors. Your tips are great for someone stuck in a rut or having the ‘blues’ but depression requires medical help, intervention, and sometimes medication (which is nothing to be ashamed of!) Hope you don’t mind me adding my 2 cents!
Jen says
Thanks for mentioning this. I want to add that there’s no shame in going on medication if you need it.
Tara – I wish you well in getting out of this funk, but if you can’t and feel like you need to go back on medication, there’s absolutely nothing wrong with that. Seeking medical help for a mental illness is not a sign of weakness.
Kristin C says
Great point!
I take medication for depression and anxiety. I think it depends on WHY you are depressed. Situational anxiety and depression (like you are going through a tough winter and your significant other breaks up with you) does not need medication. It just needs healing time and some of the steps Taralynn laid out. However, if it is a constant thing and is a chemical imbalance, you should definitely take medication, in my opinion.
But I don’t really think that Taralynn was implying anything bad about medication or saying a funk is the same things as depression 🙂
XXX says
Mental Illness and a “funk” are not the same thing. You can’t really compare the two. If someone reading this blog is actually going through some depression and anxiety issues, the most important step is to get professional help and speak with a therapist.
Jessica says
Love this post! I think that everybody gets into a funk at some point or another. Definitely some great ideas to help snap yourself out of it! 🙂
Cassandra says
This is so timely for me. I have been been avoiding my problems and letting things slide, and last night I finally broke down about it and decided that I needed to pull myself out of it today. Thanks for this 🙂
Helena says
Idea #11=
Did you mention practicing gratitude? What about making a list of what you have to be grateful for? Trust me, if you have your health – you have everything!
Rachel says
Thanks for posting this article. I have been following your blog for a few years and i love it. I can agree with all that you wrote, I’ve too been in a funk…it’s time to get out of it. Thank you.
Kristin C says
Earlier this year I researched a lot of different foods that help depression and why they help. If you are interested, Taralynn, check it out. I was so amazed by all the different foods that help!
http://athisfeetdaily.blogspot.com/2015/03/depression-fighting-foods.html
Jamie says
Hi Taralynn, Wow this post really speaks to me – I have my moments of just pure unhappiness and/or anxiety. Sometimes its hard to talk to some friends so I do online chats with counselors (Lifeline Chat) because I don’t want to depress others/people sometimes can’t relate to just unexplained sadness. I was feeling embarrassed because I always go for a daily easy walk – and I couldn’t even bring myself to do that even for a few minutes! I just felt a bout of unhappiness, but we all gotta be a lil easy on ourselves sometimes – the fittest lady at my old gym has been fit and active for years and she said to me “You have to do what you CAN” and I always tell myself that. I’m taking my walk today =)
Meghan says
I needed to read this today. Good for you for exercising self-reflection and making these observations, and for having the strength and determination to overcome your funk! It’s inspired me to tackle the funk I’ve been in and GET HAPPY.