Banish the Blahs: 15 Ways To Break Out Of Your Funk

5 min read by Megan Rea

Fewer things cause me to freak out more than a creative funk. Well, maybe restaurants attached to gas stations and THEN a creative funk, but I digress.

Recently, I hit a MAJOR funk and think I finally figured out why. Our life lately has been crazy-So blessed and beautiful, but crazy none the less. 

And me? I’m a pretty proactive person. A fixer, a recovering perfectionist by nature who has to die on that hill on the regular in order to live the kind of free life I can through Jesus. In short, I hate when things feel unsettled.  I want to get to the bottom of it, find a solution and keep plowing forward.  However, sometimes your brain and body just do not get on board with that business.  They want rest and fun and they will get as defiant as a toddler until they get some.

After a long stretch of going-going-going, my brain was all done. My thoughts started congealing like a bad science experiment it was clear, I needed a lifeline. A Sabbath. A little re-set for the soul.

When those little things feel overwhelming and life is more “Ugh” than “Ah” or “Ooo,” you friend, may have found yourself in a funk.

BUT GOOD NEWS: you’ve got me and I don’t mean to brag, BUT I’m basically an expert at getting out of a funk.

Be. Jealous.

   Feeling stuck in rut, creative or otherwise, can make you feel so small, but you’re not alone and you’re NOT going to feel like this forever. Your solution is just a little bit of Soul Care away.

 

Here are a few things that help me out:

1. Time with the Lord:

Shifting my focus to the Lord, His love, His grandeur, His sovereignty, His Word and His nearness puts everything in perspective quickly. He is the ultimate creative; the end all be all creator of all things.  He is tender with our weakness and at the same time, the spiritual fuel needed to propel us forward. Need some help or direction strengthening that relationship with Him? Check out this post.

And are you on Spotify? Follow our Worship Playlist here. Worship is a powerful tool when it comes to breaking out of a funk.  There’s something soul-soothing about singing truth over yourself and over your situation.  Especially if you’re thought life goes dark & negative when you’re in a funk (here are 4 tools to help with that), you need a dose of truth to bring your thoughts back into right alignment.

2. Do something thoughtful for someone else:

Nothing will put you in a funk faster than when your world becomes all about you. When you determine to put a smile on the face of someone else today, one just might creep on your own as well.  So, we made you a cool little printable with 6 easy ideas.

 

3. Upbeat Music:

 Music that makes you smile and move connects you to that younger, free-er version of yourself. I mean, if Elisabeth Hasselbeck can put a disco ball in her house, you friend have full-on permission to dance it up. So go ahead, crank up your Spotify and enjoy your God-given endorphins.  Check out our workout playlist to get you going.

 

4. Phone a friend:

I have a short list of my people on speed dial when I need a boost.  Whether it’s shifting perspective, making my world larger, or just connecting to other people who know when I need encouragement, a shot of truth or a little break in the routine.

 

5. Sleep:

Author Dr. Travis Bradberry says you need 7-9 hours to be at your creative best.  That doesn’t come naturally to most creatives, Coffee does-especially in really funny mugs like this, but sleep does not. Learn to actually listen to your body and turn in a little earlier.

 

6. Take a day off that isn’t productive:

Yes, I know this is hard.  I’m not good at it either. But soul care could be exactly what you need right now. Give yourself permission to put the breaks on.

 Do you remember a time before you were 100% concerned with being productive and caring for the needs of other people that you actually just did something because it made you feel more alive? What fuels you? Go do that thing.  It might seem silly and non-essential in your big important life, but I promise, if you carve out a little time for you, the people in your life will benefit from it as well.

7. Get Outside:

Nature! I always feel like I’m returning to a better version of myself after a walk in the park, a run on a trail or being anywhere remotely near water.

 

8. Read non-self-help:

Because most likely, you don’t need to be “better,” you need a break.

 

9. Listen to an interview:

We need each other’s stories because they serve as fuel for our own.  If you’ve never heard our story, I’d be so honored for you to listen to it out here.

10. Do something artistic that ISN’T what you’re stuck on:

For example, if you’re a writer, try painting something. And yes, spray paint counts It doesn’t need to be “good” it just needs to be for you. Try stretching a totally different completely unrelated muscle in your brain and just see if that doesn’t give you a fresh approach.

11. Get dressed in something that makes you feel confident:

I get it. All things baggy and grey sound like your best friend right now, but they are not.

Run from them.

Tuck them away for the next time you get the flu and put on something that puts an extra spring in your step.  Check out our style posts for inspiration. And if your a girl, throw on a little lipstick while you’re at it. A drugstore tube may just brighten your mood #poet

 

12. Get Off Social Media:

I’m a social media fan because I love connecting with people. But when you’re in a funk, you’re less likely to connect and more likely to get caught in the Comparison Trap of mindless scrolling. Take a few to unplug.

 

13. Exercise:

The endorphins will boost your brain power and when you accomplish something physically, you feel like you can accomplish something mentally. Here are a few of my workouts & some tips to get you started.  And here are a few of Chris’.

 

14. Clean & Organize Something:

Start small, gain control over one area and move on.  Never underestimate the power of mastering your junk drawer.

 

15. Laugh:

Laughter can completely change our perspective and remind us not to take ourselves quite so seriously. Preacher-Choir.

Spare a minute to watch a fainting goat video or randomly bust out the Heads up app at the dinner table.  And if neither one of those does it for you, just let Jessica and her Daily Affirmations once again bring a smile to your face.

And if you’re really feeling Stuck today, check out our free e-book. We know it will help.

 

Being in a funk is never fun, but boss that funk around and don’t let it make you feel small. The highs and lows of life are inevitable, but you can control how long you let yourself linger in the lows. 

I hope one of these 15 will be just the thing to help bust you out of your next rut.  What helps you break out of a funk?

Until next time,

Meg

 

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