9 STEPS YOU CAN TAKE TO SAY BYE-BYE TO THE BLUES

You’ve been looking forward to a happy new year after reveling in the fun memories of your New Year’s celebration. You’re loving the fresh beginning, the start of a better year – yet it’s getting harder to get motivated and get going for some reason…

AS YOUR EXCITEMENT IS ECLIPSED BY EXTENDED ISOLATION AND INACTIVITY – THE BLUES CAN SETTLE IN.

You may be stuck in the house during a long winter storm and feeling gloomy. Listless. The time of inactivity is lowering your spirits. THE DOLDRUMS.

Maybe your family is quarantined due to a positive coronavirus test or an exposure, or your kids’ school is online this month. This period of isolation and disconnection is stressful and brings on feelings of helplessness. BLAH.

It could be that you always dread January and February – the cold and dreary weather, the start of a new budget with impossible goals and minimal resources at work, the plethora of heart-shaped candies showing up everywhere when your heart is healing. Maybe your job search is stalled. UGH.

FOR WHATEVER BRINGS YOU THE BLUES, I OFFER THIS POWERFUL COMBINATION AS AN ANTIDOTE.

SELF-CARE + CONNECTION

If you’re rolling your eyes because self-care is the last thing on your mind, connecting with someone else seems too hard, just because you feel BLAH – take these 9 simple steps and say goodbye to the blues.

1. Smile. This works in real time. Just try it, right now. Open the blinds or curtains and smile at whatever you see. Laugh at yourself and you’ll feel even better. Immediately.
2. Be inconvenienced. Think about someone other than yourself. Extend yourself to another human. Check on your neighbor. Contact someone you know who is going through a rough time. Run an errand for a friend who’s in quarantine.
3. Connect with another person. Call and talk to someone. Literally, speak with someone on the phone – don’t text, messenger, Snapchat, post, add to your story, send a voice message, tweet, or email. Voice-to-voice.
4. Do a good thing anonymously. Remember the random act of kindness? Get busy. Anonymous means you don’t tell another soul. Ever.
5. Music! Turn on music that puts a pep in your step and energizes you – not what you play when your heart breaks, you lose a loved one, or you’re in the mood to be angry. (This ain’t the time for Desperado or We’re Not Gonna Take It.)
6. Move your body. Walk around your home. Dance to that upbeat music you just turned on! Roll on the floor with your dog. Open the door and step outside. Take a deep breath – and a walk. Ride the trails on your bike and smile at everyone you see. Just get up and do something.
7. Get dressed. Even if you’re not leaving home, bathe or shower, dry your hair, and put on real clothes (the kind with zippers and buttons).
8. Be grateful. Adopting a practice of daily gratitude is the smartest move I’ve ever made. Get a little notebook for your eyes only. Write down five things you’re grateful for each day. Handwriting is best – just get it down and done.
9. Plan something to look forward to. Better yet, call a friend and plan it with them!

These simple steps may not be easy. If you’re resistant, ask for help. Pray for the willingness to be willing to do one thing for your self-care and connection. Fake it until you make it.

Your mood and attitude will begin to shift when you TAKE action.

BYE-BYE, BLUES.

FEEL YOUR ENERGY AND EXCITEMENT ONCE AGAIN!

Tomorrow, simply rinse and repeat.

DON’T WAIT UNTIL WINTER ENDS. This shift is available to you right now. If you prefer to have a trusted confidante and accountability partner to get going again, I will help you. Book a call with me and let’s see if we want to do brave and meaningful work together.