Funk-Free Recipe
Watching twitter and chats there seems to be a theme in the last few weeks..... lay-offs, sadness, survivor guilt, lack of motivation and people being in a funk.... which got me thinking..... what do I do when I or the kids are in a funk?
What do YOU do when you're in a funk?
- Go do something "dirty" where you use your hands and get messy!
This can be done alone or as a group/family and could be going to a trip to the "paint your own pottery" place, making bread from scratch, doing paper mache, taking something apart like an engine, gardening, anything that involves your hands being used in an activity that is 180 degrees different from what you do for a living. Even if you have no particular interest in painting pottery, just do it and see what happens. Surely it can't put you in a worse mood, right?
(And for those of you with your mind in the gutter - yes, that works too!) - Write a letter!
When's the last time you wrote with pen and paper?
When's the last time you received a note in the mail written with pen and paper and how did it make you feel?
Exactly!
So go find some thank you cards or stationary and write something. Write a thank you note to someone that inspired you, taught you something, someone thanking them for that last birthday birthday present they gave you or how much you enjoyed working with them all these years. Anything works here, just do it and put it in the mail.
Write a letter to a loved one, write a letter to YOURSELF talking about what's going on in your life, write to your partner and put it in the mail. Heck, make up te a story and send it to your kids!
I promise that not only will YOU feel better, but you will make the day of the person that receives your note.
Oh and bonus points for making your own cards or stationary! - Do something physical with loved one's!
Stage a pillow fight with your kids, heck even your partner, go outside and have an obstacle course race, wrestle with the kids, anything that you wouldn't ordinarily do and I promise you, you won't be able to help but laugh and be in a better mood.
Go to an indoor swimming pool (if you live in the cold) or go ice skating (if you live in the warmth), go bowling, shoot pool, anything that involves doing something physical and different from the activities you usually do as a group or family.
What always works for me is to go on a "picnic adventure", pack some food, get the kids to put on bathing suits and good shoes and pick a random spot of the island we've not been to. This typically ends up with us climbing some cliff/hill somewhere, finding all kinds of random things to make crafts out of.
Somehow doing a team activity or competition always ends up in people challenging themselves while also helping each other and something about that is so energizing. - Dance or Sing (or do both) WILDLY!
Yes, this one is cliché, but it works!
For the risk takers out there, close your office door, turn up the music and dance or sing like nobody is watching. Yes, you'll look "challenged" but sometimes that's what it takes.
Other, safer variations include having a LOUD sing in the shower, or doing my favorite, which is a dance-off in the kitchen with the kids. Sometimes we even pretend to be rock stars and dress up and take turns or dancing like we're on TV. - Give in to your mood and have a good cry!
Heck, go rent a sappy movie and get a tub of ice cream and let it out.
Bonus points given for having a shoulder to cry on.
This suggestion works best when administered in conjunction with one of the other items on the list. As in - let it out first, then go do something that'll cheer you up. - Organize a party, any reason!
One time, right after we moved here and everyone in the house was in a funk and depressed due to a new school, no job, having to take a salary cut or whatever, we had a "Wave" party. It involved making a wave cake, decorating the house with waves and having a dance contest. Yes, it was completely silly but it got everyone to work together and we had a blast and it cured the foul mood in the house right up!
So make up a reason and call your family or friends and have them come over for appetizers, an impromptu dinner party, cake or just drinks. - Treat yourself!
Yes, I know your budget is tight, but I guarantee that you are not being very productive while being in a funk.
So go for a massage, sit in the hot tub with a glass of champaign, go buy yourself an expensive cigar.
Heck, open that bottle of wine you've been saving for a special occasion or get that special pair of shoes you've been wanting.
Go to that fancy restaurant you've been meaning to try and TURN OFF THE GUILT!
Every once in a while you simply have to be selfish, focus on your own feelings, indulge in what feels good to you, which is something most people (including myself) have a very hard time doing.
Free versions of this include trading massages, having a loved one cook a NICE meal for you,
And no, you don't need a partner for this, I trade massages with the kids and sometimes I ask them to make me dinner, which usually turns out ...... fascinating or at least interesting, but it always ends up with everyone smiling. - Be still and just watch!
Sometimes when I am down, I go somewhere and just watch the World around me.
This one can be done anywhere at any time. Go sit somewhere in the airport and see how people interact! What interaction do you see that you do not like? What do you see that you like?
Go for a walk and sit on a bench, the grass, the snow, the beach, what do you notice? What draws your attention?
Heck, go to your living room, the kids room and watch your partner cook or the kids play. What do you see when they look up at you?
What do YOU do when you're in a funk?
9. Have a baby.
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I cook and play video games. Both give me a feeling of being in control, and I'm usually in a funk because I feel helpless.
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