I woke up in a funk last Saturday. Like, grouchy, snappy and in a bad mood. It’s uncomfortable to feel this way and that’s often the first thing that raises the alarm in my system. What’s Happening???!!! turns on the sirens in my head. But I’m guessing like you, when I feel this way, it’s usually the simple things that cause the shift and the simple things that bring me back.
My son had come home very late. I’d managed to sleep through the sound of the door opening but woke to the smell of the toast he then made. Our cat thought 4am would be a good time to start asking for breakfast and I realised I was feeling really anxious about a few things out of my control. My partner who had been woken by the door opening and the cat, decided he’d go for a ride even earlier than cyclist hour.
By the time he came back I was sure only a silent retreat in Bali would make things better and was angry that wasn’t possible. He got me out of the house and took me to see a peacock.
Turns out there’s a small wildlife sanctuary and a Japanese garden about 10 minutes from our house. I went willingly but with a bad attitude. We wandered through and watched a Thai wedding taking place under the cherry blossoms, met baby wallabies and a wombat having breakfast. We had iced coffees and chatted. I took headache tablets and let my brain slow down a bit.
I felt better. I told him about the things I was anxious about. As I spoke them out loud I realised they weren’t as big as they were in my head and I was closer to being over the hurdles than I realised. I sat down and did some creative work for a few hours. I made a nice dinner. It lifted.
Other, similar times I’ve felt this way it’s been really easy to spiral into a deeper funk. We underestimate the simple things in helping us recalibrate. I know I need connection and beauty, rest and down time. I need creativity and big helpings of self-compassion. I’m learning to care for myself and resist urgency. Even the urgency of needing to feel better. Sometimes we just need to let it take its course.
What are your go-to’s for recalibrating?
Write down what it feels like to be grounded and calm, at ease, creative and free.
Where are you?
Who are you with?
What are the conditions that might make it possible to feel that way?
How can you create those more often?
I’d love to support you to shift the funk. Click here if you’d like to work with me.
