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What’s Your Way Out of a Funk?
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Exercise and keeping busy generally work for me. Last weekend I was feeling pretty bad about something and Monday night decided to see a movie in a theater across town rather than just stay home. I think just getting out of my element put my mind in a different place. I also got out a few more times during the week and now what was bothering me isn’t bothering me much at all.
Oftentimes, too, taking a long walk (2 + hours) will help me put a positive spin on a situation that’s getting me down.
What movie did you see?
Pawn Sacrifice, about Bobby Fischer, starring Tobey Maguire. I really liked it. Fischer seems like a very interesting and complicated person.
Ok. I’ll have to put it on my list.
Manual labor of any kind (cleaning, gardening, reorganizing a closet) always manages to get me out of my head.
I also got some funny advice once from a friend: when feeling blue, listen to music just *slightly* cheerier than you’re feeling…. because anything TOO upbeat will only make you roll your eyes and feel worse 😉
I used to have a boyfriend who found cleaning the house very meditative. I really benefitted from that!
Cooking (or sitting with a cup of coffee or tea and reading cookbooks), a long run/rowing session, a phone call with a friend or my sister–these work for smaller scale blues. But for the more gut-wrenching variety, only a good cry or face-to-face meetings with good friends bring any relief. That and a string of episodes of Third Rock from the Sun on Netflix!
Cooking really soothes me too. And I agree, in a deep crisis, I’d forego the sharp objects and seek out a 1-1 with a trusted confidante.
Definitely cleaning, it makes my surroundings feel homey and fresh. Walking for at least one hour. Remembering how lucky I am to be able to do all the things I can do. My Dad had a major stroke in 2013 and is wheelchair bound so he can’t do anything w/out nursing assistance. Someone once said “keep moving” and that is what I do, get busy. Also, I love Jessica Fletcher books and the TV show, it is not complicated, and some might say simple, but it’s like comfort food for me. 🙂 It’s a safe escape. And I am learning to watercolor paint, it takes your mind to a creative place, and that doesn’t leave room for the negative stuff; it pushes it out.
Jill, how are you learning to watercolor paint? Are you taking a class?
I’m learning many different ways, over several years. I have had private lessons, watched DVDs, online videos, books, attended painting parties, and taken workshops/classes. It’s an ongoing process because I work full time, and I don’t have a lot of free time. The latest attempt, which I really like, is a Meetup of local people who like to paint. Once a month, for a couple hours, we meet at the group leader’s house, paint, share ideas, and critique our work.
This is the first time I’ve heard of painting parties. What a cool way to meet people!