How To Get Out of a Slump
We all feel off sometimes... But you can help yourself feel better.
It
happens to everyone, without warning, and sometimes at the most
unexpected times. Your energy levels are very low, you lose all your
motivation and inspiration, you have no desire to do anything and you
feel frustrated because the feeling is so strong that you can't
really do anything about it there and then. Sometimes these slumps
only last for a few days, but they can also last for weeks before you
magically find your spark again.
As
someone who likes to analyse anything and everything, I have triedmany times to find an explanation for these off feelings, these slumps
that can be so hard to get out of, and affect everything in your life
while they last. For me, these feelings just end up disappearing
after a while, but I have come up with four ways you can feel better
when you're experiencing one of these slumps, and how to hopefully
help you get out of it ASAP.
DO SOMETHING LOW MAINTENANCE THAT YOU LOVE
If
you don't feel like doing anything, it is no surprise that any task
that requires effort will put you off. But instead of feeling bad for
it, remember that it is ok to be uninspired. Instead of beating
yourself up for not doing anything, do something,
but something you enjoy and that preferably involves you chilling.
This could be watching a Netflix documentary about a topic you enjoy
or want to be more knowledgeable, reading a book in bed, drawing or
doodling in your favourite notebook to let go of the stress and
guilt. It could be going for a walk or a run, or calling a friend.
After doing something relaxing but purposeful like this, you are one
step closer to feeling better about yourself and gaining your energy
back - more so than if you walked around the room aimessly and
telling yourself you can't do anything. Yes, you can. It just has to
be low maintenance.
PLAN AHEAD TO FEEL THE EXCITEMENT AGAIN
One
thing that always gets me motivated again is looking at the future -
the next week, for example. If I'm not feeling great, I think aboutall the amazing things I will do when I get better. Put down on your
agenda or timetable all the fun things you will be doing once you're
out of your slump. Have you got some creative stuff you will be
doing? Some fun events planned with friends? A major step to cross in
your exercise routine? Plan exciting things that will await you when
you feel better. That way, you won't think about how bad everything
is, but how great everything will be once you turn your mindset
around. Which leads me to my next point...
REMEMBER WHAT YOU FEEL IS TEMPORARY
The
fatigue and blasé state you're in won't last. Once you get over it,
you will feel happy and motivated again. It goes back and forth in
waves, like happiness, stress, and every other human feeling. In a
week's time, you will probably have forgotten how you felt on that
down day. You will go back to your busy self, with your hobbies and
agenda, and all will be fine in your world. I am sometimes guilty of
being slightly dramatic and thinking that my drops in motivation are
like black holes that will suck me forever, especially during those
longer slumps that last for a good few days, but with patience and
wisdom, I always realise that actually, I
feel much better now and yes,
I can do things.Nothing lasts forever, and even the worst slumps eventually go away. Keep positive.
DO NOT BEAT YOURSELF UP
In
this day and age, we can control almost everything. And we try.
Self-care tells you that you can be happy if you want to and work on
it, that you can eliminate stress if you work on it, that you can be
healthy if you work on it... So naturally, we try controlling our
mood too. And sure, you can think it through, write a positivity or
gratitude list, and do all you can to feel better, but when this
doesn't work, you are better off accepting what is. Some days, you
won't be able to make yourself excited about life, or make yourself
inspired to go out and do things. And that's ok! Acceptance is key.
If you beat yourself up for not feeling better, do you really think
you are going to feel better? Nope. You will only feel worse.
Everyone has low days, and this is when you need to take care of
yourself. Your mind is telling you something. Don't burn it out. Give
it the time and space it needs to get back to its usual amazing self.
Think about the advice you would give to a friend in the same
situation. "Don't worry, you will feel better tomorrow," "You
work so much, it's ok to switch your brain off,"... If you can
say that to a friend who's going through the same situation, that
take your own advice and save yourself from your own judgment. Put yourself first, because you deserve to let go. And you will do better tomorrow.
What do you do to get out of a slump?
Lots of love,
Julia x
Lots of love,
Julia x
13 commentaires
I check my calendar, realize that it is probably that time of the month and give myself permission to just be in a slump for two days. Or, if that isn't the case, I think about how much junk food I ate the night before and try to go sweat it out, which usually makes me feel way better. My slumps are mostly caused by these two things.
ReplyDeleteWorking out always helps improving your mood, definitely! xx
DeleteThese are utterly beautiful pictures of you Julia and I adore the leopard print skirt! Your advice not to beat ourselves up too much is brilliant and definitely something to keep in mind :)
ReplyDeleteaglassofice.com x
Thank you Gabrielle! I'm so glad you liked the post and the pictures :) xx
DeleteYou are right about controlling our moods. This is something I try to do as well, but I'm (obviously) not very successful at that. We can't choose to be happy or excited, but we can choose to do something a bit different to cheer up. Luckily I don't get these low moods often.
ReplyDeleteWe can't always control everything, so in a way realising that also helps! xx
DeleteI love your chilled outlook about how we "shouldn't beat ourselves up". That to me is the most difficult part sometimes...
ReplyDeleteAlso this pictures are lovely! You look like you are having so much fun <3
xxx
Isabel
https://isabelstories.com/
We are often too hard on ourselves, and it really brings us no good! Let's be kinder when we need it <3 Thank you for reading Isabel! xx
DeleteI've said this before, but I loooooove your posts and reading this has defo given me inspo for when I feel like I'm in a slump. Which 90% of the time is during my time of the month lol...
ReplyDeletefranalibi.blogspot.co.uk
Thanks so much Fran! Periods can be such a hard time, I totally feel you! xx
Deleteomg you look beautiful!! stunning post!
ReplyDeleteJadieegosh Instagram FacebookBloggerGroup
Thank you Jadie! xx
DeleteThank you for the post, Julia. :) Good tips, especially to remember it's temporarary and not to beat yourself up. I find myself in slumps sometimes, especially with having depression. It comes and goes. Planning ahead is good, which you mentioned as well. I might plan to go to the beach or bake something.
ReplyDeleteLovely pics too. :)
Zania
x
https://fallingpetalsuk.blogspot.com