Being in a
“funk”, whether it’s for an hour, a day, a week, or a month is one of the most
exasperating experiences anyone can have. With a little thought, we can usually
figure out how it started, but knowing how doesn’t always matter. Whatever the origin,
the result is the same. The wind is pulled from your sails and now you’re
basically dead in the water.
The problems
we experience when this happens aren’t the result of falling into the funky
mood. Things happen, and even the most positive person in the world is going to
fall into a funk every once in a while. What we need to avoid is falling into the
trap of looking at the world through our disgruntled, disillusioned, angry,
sad, lost, or frustrated mood waiting for someone or something to give us
permission to get out of it. Ride that train for longer than necessary and a
funky mood can turn into a life-altering funk.
Here are 3
things you can do to take charge of your funky mood before it takes charge of
you:
- Embrace Your Mood: Funky moods are the result of a challenge that’s been tossed our way. Give yourself permission to acknowledge your feelings rather than ignoring them. See if you can identify what part of your forward momentum has been challenged.
- Give Yourself a Deadline: You have every right to your feelings, BUT, keep it relative to your life. Be flexible with your deadlines too. Start by thinking about how long you think it will take you to start coming out of it. That may sound harsh – especially when you have a very good reason for your funky mood – but this isn’t just about giving yourself a deadline. It’s about remembering that your life is ready and waiting for you on the other side of this situation.
- Create a “Guru in a Box”: This is something you want to do when you’re in a really good mood. Get a box or basket, or devote a drawer to it, but come up with a collection of items that make you feel great just by being around them. Collect your favorite books, music, movies, quotes, snacks, pictures, the stuffed animal you’ve kept for all these years, and put them someplace handy. Then, the next time you feel like you’re ready to let go of your funky mood, spend some time with the contents of the box.
When we fall
into a funk, it’s usually the result of something we didn’t have any control
over. These steps provide you the time and opportunity to reclaim your sense of
control so you can get back into the swing of your life.
These steps
will work for anybody – even people suffering from writer’s funk! You know
what that is: the angst you feel when you aren’t sitting down at your keyboard.
Coupling these steps with working with someone like me is a sure fire way to
get your creative writing juices flowing again!
I am very prone to funks at any place or time with no reason or rhyme . It just happens. In the middle of a wonderful fulfilling day and boom. There it is. I am bipolar and have come to accept this as part of who I am. It is not a bad thing. I actually have come to embrace the funk. It makes me more introspective and creative at times. Or it makes me step back from life for a few minutes hours or days and it is good. Time for reflection or just a rest from everyday stresses. Change will sometimes prompt these moods in me. I have worked at not judging or fearing this or should ins myself to death. Acceptance has been the key for me. I do however give me limits and when I feel like it has gone on too long I have no cost/ low cost ways to bring me out. It works. I love the Guru in a box idea. My next try.
ReplyDeleteThanks for acknowledging the Guru-in-a-Box idea Amicus. I love what you said about acceptance too; very important. Can't get out of a mood until we acknowledge it for what it is.
ReplyDeleteWhenever I get in a funk I purposely make sure I do not put other people in a funk by being around me. I do this by keeping to my business until the funk passes. I look at others that have it a lot worse than me and pray for them and thank God for my blessings. I like the "Guru in a Box" idea as I am going to put the cards I receive from family and friends in one. They always lift me up. This a great post. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteWhenever I get in a funk I purposely make sure I do not put other people in a funk by being around me. I do this by keeping to my business until the funk passes. I look at others that have it a lot worse than me and pray for them and thank God for my blessings. I like the "Guru in a Box" idea as I am going to put the cards I receive from family and friends in one. They always lift me up. This a great post. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteValerie, thanks for the funk proofing ideas! I especially like the "Guru in the box". Most useful!
ReplyDeleteGood advice, Valerie.
ReplyDelete