Hi,

Can you help me out of my funk? I'm asking for your best tips and tricks on getting motivated and clearing the haze. You know, all the things that you can tell people to do, but can't seem to put into action when this happens to you.

Something happened Friday that kind of knocked the wind out of me and I can't break the funk.

If you wouldn't mind, tell me the things that motivate you. Clearing the haze is really important too. I need to re-direct. I need to think of good things.

I would really appreciate it. I just keep sighing. It's messed up.

I sometimes tell myself that if I have time to mope, then I have time to do something. Usually that something is going to the forest or a nice park and walking, sometimes for hours. No music, just think through whatever's on your mind.

I walk until I'm completely exhausted, or I've gone through every aspect of what's bugging me. Somehow just breaking the routine helps me.

This might not really be helpful, but shopping always puts me in a good mood. Specifically if find something on sale that is a really good deal, or that I have had my eye on that was full price. And if you're not a fan of clothes shopping it doesn't have to be clothes... could be home stuff, sports stuff bascially whatever you are in to. And everywhere has end of season sales going on right now so you should definately get some bargains.

Also, what about any sports or hobbies? Do you like golf? I find that is a very therapeutic, relaxing sport that just kinda gives you personal time to think but it's also challenging enough that it gets your blood flowing and you kinda feel a sense of accomplishment afterwards. Gives you a little pep without to much physical activity

What helps me most is to try and concentrate on others and their problems rather than my own. I will clean out closets and or cupboards with the intent of donating the goods to others. Finding a youth group or a nursing home that could use a talent you have or even just someone to read to or talk to resident can help.

It also can help to use a trick on of my old shrinks taught me, when you find yourself overwhelmed with bad thoughts mentally yell STOP and replace those thoughts with good ones. For example when I start to dwell on the loss of my brother or Mom I will redirect those thoughts past my self pity and into thinking of the good times we had or what they taught me and how I can pass that on to my children.

I do not know what happened to you but you need to remember also that depending on what happened it can be normal to feel bad for a while. If this was a life altering event do not be afraid to seek counsel if you need to. I hope you feel better soon.

I will either clean something that i have been putting off to clean. like an closet. Or i go look threw old pictures and just think of good times i had with the people in the picture. Or i pile the kids into the van and we go shop or even out for an snack or ice cream, of course i dont have the ice cream. Or i put on a movie and just total get into the movie and tune out everything else out. You could also meditate, go for an walk, exercise.

I hope you get out of your funk soon, i have my moments that I am like that. But with 5 kids i never can stay in a funk for long lol.

paula

Okay, I'm soooo going for a walk. Per Jestgar's advice, I'll plan to walk until I'm exhausted. I'll bring some water. Maybe I'll stop along the way and check out some shops.

It's nothing devastating - just a matter of a $7,000 bill we're getting for something another family member is responsible for squandering away. I had the $ set aside for something else. I just haven't been able to bust through the messed-upedness of it. I'll try to STOP myself from going there and focus on other stuff.

First things first - The Walk.

Thanks

The walk is a great start!

I like to create something...doesn't really matter what. I paint something, or I draw something or I build something, lol. After my dad died I crackle painted everything that wasn't nailed down. One of my friends still laughs about that. Sometimes I make jewelry, sometimes I just scribble or doodle or anything to create something.

Sometimes I'll just beat up a pillow.

I'd say two things help me the most. 1. a day at the beach either by myself or with a outgoing fun friend. It really clears my head and gets me more focused. 2. I used to have this really great romantic love story movie that I would watch. I would start out in a funk, cry my eyes out in the middle, and at the end of the movie I always felt better. Odd, but it worked for me.