As February starts to draw to a close, there is hope of sun, blue skies, and some warmth on our faces. And boy, does that help to lift your mood.
This last week or so, I have found myself sinking into a bit of a negative nelly mode. My motivation has been low, my self-belief even lower and I have just felt at a bit of a loss. I know what I can do to help me feel better, but I don’t have the inclination to do it and have purposely pushed against it. That Fcuk it button has been pushed multiple times.
It’s not lost on me that this coincides with it being around six weeks since I decided to close the Community Interest Company (CIC) I was working on. The initial relief at not being constantly on social media, having to put content together, thinking about marketing, and helping clients have turned into a feeling of loss and lack of purpose.
And I don’t know about you, but the weather really doesn’t help – although saying that, even on a sunny Sunday afternoon, I can still be found lying on the sofa feeling sorry for myself!
So what can you do to shake off these negative vibes?
Well, as I started the week feeling in the negative space once again, I made a bargain with myself. Just two minutes in the cold tub – just two. It’s the length of the song ‘We Will Rock You’, which ideally, is a great tune to zone out to! It’s the thing I least wanted to do, but I also know it will help invigorate me and help lift my mood. And it did. I certainly felt a little brighter after those two minutes and took on the day with a lot more positivity than when I started.
But if dipping into cold water isn’t your thing, what else can you do?
Other ways (that cost nothing) to lift your mood…
Just strolling. Leave the phone and headphones at home and go to a green space if you can. Away from the hustle and bustle, take in the smallest of things. The leaves on the trees, flowers growing, the sky and the clouds. It sounds wanky – but it really does help to lower any anxiety and leave you feeling calmer.
Have a chin-wag. As a self-employed person, it is important to connect with others in your space. It can be a lonely existence trying to keep motivated and positive around work. Use groups on Facebook to connect with others. Joining challenges and courses is a great way to do this. I am still in contact with many ladies that I did courses with over the years since 2018 and continue to connect with people that I know I can jump on a call with if I’m struggling or just want to chat… and I’m there for them in return.
Wack up the music. Music can be extremely powerful, so switching on some bangers can really help to lift your mood. Get a playlist together of songs that make you feel good and have them in your back pocket ready to go.
Write shit down! Feeling the angst? Write it down. Journalling can really help to offload stuff. If you are struggling to sleep or you wake up at 3.00am worrying about something, then the best thing to do is get up, make a hot drink (warm milk or camomile tea are probably best), and write it down. Once it’s down on the paper, give yourself permission to forget about it… at least for a little while.
Thank you! Again, this might sound a bit wanky, but practicing gratitude really can be quite powerful. Think about the most simple things you have and feel grateful for them. The water in your tap, the heat in your home, your bed, your health (however that presents itself). When things are feeling a bit shitty, there is always something to feel grateful for.
Some good news…
Today I read that this week, the sun will set at 6.00pm, and then it doesn’t set that early again until 29th October! We are almost through the Winter!
Keep on running…
Best wishes
Linda – Mum Running Life š
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Mum Running Life 