We all feel off sometimes… But you can help yourself feel better.

It happens to everyone, without warning, and sometimes at the most unexpected times. Your energy levels are very low, you lose all your motivation and inspiration, you have no desire to do anything and you feel frustrated because the feeling is so strong that you can’t really do anything about it there and then. Sometimes these slumps only last for a few days, but they can also last for weeks before you magically find your spark again.

As someone who likes to analyse anything and everything, I have triedmany times to find an explanation for these off feelings, these slumps that can be so hard to get out of, and affect everything in your life while they last. For me, these feelings just end up disappearing after a while, but I have come up with four ways you can feel better when you’re experiencing one of these slumps, and how to hopefully help you get out of it ASAP.

If you don’t feel like doing anything, it is no surprise that any task that requires effort will put you off. But instead of feeling bad for it, remember that it is ok to be uninspired. Instead of beating yourself up for not doing anything, do something, but something you enjoy and that preferably involves you chilling. This could be watching a Netflix documentary about a topic you enjoy or want to be more knowledgeable, reading a book in bed, drawing or doodling in your favourite notebook to let go of the stress and guilt. It could be going for a walk or a run, or calling a friend. After doing something relaxing but purposeful like this, you are one step closer to feeling better about yourself and gaining your energy back – more so than if you walked around the room aimessly and telling yourself you can’t do anything. Yes, you can. It just has to be low maintenance.

One thing that always gets me motivated again is looking at the future – the next week, for example. If I’m not feeling great, I think aboutall the amazing things I will do when I get better. Put down on your agenda or timetable all the fun things you will be doing once you’re out of your slump. Have you got some creative stuff you will be doing? Some fun events planned with friends? A major step to cross in your exercise routine? Plan exciting things that will await you when you feel better. That way, you won’t think about how bad everything is, but how great everything will be once you turn your mindset around. Which leads me to my next point…

The fatigue and blasé state you’re in won’t last. Once you get over it, you will feel happy and motivated again. It goes back and forth in waves, like happiness, stress, and every other human feeling. In a week’s time, you will probably have forgotten how you felt on that down day. You will go back to your busy self, with your hobbies and agenda, and all will be fine in your world. I am sometimes guilty of being slightly dramatic and thinking that my drops in motivation are like black holes that will suck me forever, especially during those longer slumps that last for a good few days, but with patience and wisdom, I always realise that actually, I feel much better now and yes, I can do things.Nothing lasts forever, and even the worst slumps eventually go away. Keep positive.

In this day and age, we can control almost everything. And we try. Self-care tells you that you can be happy if you want to and work on it, that you can eliminate stress if you work on it, that you can be healthy if you work on it… So naturally, we try controlling our mood too. And sure, you can think it through, write a positivity or gratitude list, and do all you can to feel better, but when this doesn’t work, you are better off accepting what is. Some days, you won’t be able to make yourself excited about life, or make yourself inspired to go out and do things. And that’s ok! Acceptance is key. If you beat yourself up for not feeling better, do you really think you are going to feel better? Nope. You will only feel worse. Everyone has low days, and this is when you need to take care of yourself. Your mind is telling you something. Don’t burn it out. Give it the time and space it needs to get back to its usual amazing self. 

Think about the advice you would give to a friend in the same situation. “Don’t worry, you will feel better tomorrow,” “You work so much, it’s ok to switch your brain off,”… If you can say that to a friend who’s going through the same situation, that take your own advice and save yourself from your own judgment. Put yourself first, because you deserve to let go. And you will do better tomorrow.

What do you do to get out of a slump?

Lots of love,

Julia x