Get Out of that FUNK!!!

In fact for the past few weeks I have been in a deep funk.  Yep, me.

“But you’ve been making some great posts on Instagram and LinkedIn”, you might be saying.  “You’ve been posting in your Recharge and Reset group and encouraging the members”.  “You’ve been showing up for your coaching and consulting clients.”

What you don’t see is when I cancel appointments because I am really not feeling “well”; when I reschedule meetings because I have no energy, no drive, nothing in me to give; when I spend hours watching YouTube videos or attending free online workshops or filling out pages and pages of crossword or sudoku puzzles, just until I get some “umph” to get going, when, in fact I actually have very important work I should really be getting done instead.

Then what about the constant feeling of guilt and shame about all that is piling up to do, and the growing anxiety around how and when I will ever get it done.

Then there is the fact that I don’t want to go ANYWHERE.  I mean ANYWHERE - not to the supermarket to buy bread, the service station to put petrol in my car, the doctor to check out a lingering issue, the pharmacy to fill a repeat prescription even though the medication has been finished for two days, or to church to worship on a Sunday morning.  The simplest of things is very, very, very, hard to do. 

The worst part?  Nobody outside my immediate family really knows unless I tell them.  I show up where I absolutely must so it could very well be one of the world’s best kept secrets. 

I bet you think I am always upbeat and in high spirits, confident, bold and outgoing.  Weeeeeeeell, sorry, but nope!

In fact, I would rather tell no one because - “I don’t want them to worry or be concerned about me.” “I don’t want to be a bother.  Others have their own real problems.”  “What can they do?”  “What can they tell me that I don’t already know?” “How can they even understand?” “My family, friends and community need me to be strong”; “They need me to have it all together”.  “What will they think of me?”  “How can I help anyone if I can’t even help myself?”

Now hold it right there!!!!  

There it is!  The “dutty ole lie” from my enemy!  The lie that I should be perfect!  The lie that I have to hold everyone up!  The lie that I have to control everything, and whatever is not working must be my fault, or mine to fix!  The lie that if I’m hurting I can’t help anybody!  Lies!  All lies!

The truth is that being in a funk is a very common experience that everyone goes through at some point in their lives.  I am quite sure you can relate.  

As I’ve shared in a previous blog "The Pigs get it, its okay to be messy", and have to repeatedly remind myself, It’s o.k. Not to be o.k. Read it HERE.

So what is a funk and how do we get out of it?  It's a feeling of being stuck, unmotivated, and generally low energy. 

A funk can be caused by a number of factors, such as stress, burnout, boredom, or a lack of purpose….or a combination - including physical, emotional and even spiritual.

Here is a truth that may surprise you.  When it comes to mental health and emotional struggles, prayer alone does not always help.  In fact it seldom does.  Yes, I said it, because IT IS TRUE!!! 

I always encourage myself at times like this with Psalm 43:5 and Psalm 121:1-2 which combined say “Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God … I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth.”

From my experience I have learnt that God always answers our prayers, just not in the way we expect or want.  In James 2:17 it says “Faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.”  This means we have to do our part which includes getting the relevant knowledge and taking practical steps based on that knowledge.

While it can be difficult to get out of a funk, there are some strategies that can help.

1. Identify the source: The first step to getting out of a funk is to identify what is causing it. Take some time to reflect on what might be contributing to your low mood. Is it work-related stress? Personal issues? Boredom? Once you've identified the source, you can start to take steps to address it.  

I am actually dealing with quite a number of significant matters including a huge financial obligation I thought I was handling emotionally.  Upon reflection, I realize that although I have a plan which should work, all these things together are taking a toll on me.   It does not help that when I have so many things on my mind, I stay up late yet still get up early (my usual time), therefore getting less sleep.  

I have therefore  been consciously making the decision to drop, defer, and delegate some things, and just as importantly NOT TO TAKE ON ANYTHING MORE! 

2. Get moving: Exercise is a powerful mood booster that can help you get out of a funk. Even a short walk or some light stretching can help get your blood flowing and release endorphins, which can improve your mood.

This has been helping me get myself going each day, and I feel good when I achieve it.

3. Connect with others: Sometimes, being in a funk can make you want to isolate yourself from others, but this can actually make things worse. Connecting with friends, family, or a therapist can provide a supportive environment for you to talk about what's going on and get some perspective.

So here I am spending time connecting with some of my sistas

4. Try something new: Doing something you've never done before can be a great way to break out of a funk. It can be as simple as trying a new hobby or taking a different route to work. Trying something new can help you see things from a different perspective and give you a sense of accomplishment.

5. Practice self-care: Taking care of yourself is essential when you're in a funk. Make sure you're getting enough sleep, eating well, and taking time to relax and recharge. Practicing mindfulness, meditation, or yoga can also help you feel more grounded and centered.

I have certainly been more intentional about all of the above self-care measures (as you can see), as well as others not mentioned.  Regardless, it is taking me some time to fully get over this funk, but I have in the past and I’m definitely getting there now.  So can you.

Remember, getting out of a funk takes time and effort, but it's worth it to feel like yourself again.  Be patient with yourself and celebrate small victories along the way.

As you see, my community of family and friends has certainly been a tremendous help to me.  Whether or not you are in a funk, if you do not have a community of Sistas to support you in the good and bad times along your life journey, feel free to join my Recharge & Reset Community for women who feel depleted, defeated and stuck and are together fulfilling their purpose and living the abundant life Christ died for us to have HERE.

I started doing private yoga classes - stretching & relaxing neck, shoulders and back muscles

Connection with others you trust, who understand, and know how to help is the most essential strategy I believe.  The great thing for me is that my family has the knowledge, awareness and willingness to patiently help and support me at times like this...especially if I allow them. After all, when I ask them to, who buys the bread, fills my prescriptions,  puts petrol in my car.  Who encourages me to get more sleep, asks probing questions, and of course the list goes on.