I’m in a bit of a blogging funk. The blank white screen does not beckon me to fill it up with words to inspire, to dream, to love, to fight but instead taunts me with its vast emptiness. And I succumb to the despair of writer’s block. The real truth is I do have things to say but feel primal screaming in every blog post gets a bit exhausting — for both you and me.
This is not to be confused with blogger burnout. I know when I need a break and take one. This is more exhaustion about the state of the world. My sleep is restless, I pace around my apartment and my hair is falling out.
Okay, to be completely fair, all those things were happening before January 20 because I am an old coot. But certain things and certain individuals named Emperor Baby Fists and his white minions are making it worse.
I firmly believe sticking your head in the sand and being oblivious to what’s happening in the world is the wrong choice too, but I need to find a balance where I stay informed without yanking handfuls of my hair out constantly.
This is me finding that balance.
5 Things to Do When Life Makes You Scream
Life truly is a roller coaster and it is easy to enjoy in the up times. The real trick is figuring out how to survive (perhaps, even thrive) during those upside down times.
1. Read Your Favorite Books/Watch Your Favorite Movie
I love reading new books, whether by favorite authors or new-to-me authors, but in this instance I suggest grabbing your absolute favorite books and spending some quality time with them. I typically reread my favorite sections, although occasionally I get sucked in and read the entire book. A book where the good guy stomps all over the bad guy hits all the right spots for me because I need to the good guy to win.
Another great option is watching a favorite movie. Again, a good action movie works best for me. Funny movies or comedies work when I’m sad but not when I’m angry, then I find them annoying. You may be the exact opposite or discover that horror or romance works best for you. Just find what keeps your mind occupied — books and/or movies — and in a good place.
And if books and movies aren’t your jam — what’s wrong with you? Kidding! Just do whatever you love from listening to music to snuggling with your pet or enjoying your favorite hobby.
2. Detox on Social Media
It is important to stay informed but social media can be an ugly and vile place to hang out. It is also a source of misinformation and propaganda as Facebook, Twitter and Google can attest. I have reduced my consumption of all things social (with the exception of Pinterest because it’s pretty non-political) because it’s too easy to go down the rabbit hole of Twitter and need a hot shower afterwards to scald off all the hate and ugliness I encounter.
Also manage how often you watch/read the news too. Again, it’s important to stay informed but you don’t need to check news sites every minute or every hour. It’s okay to take a break from the news.
3. Get Together with Friends
This is so important. You need to be with others to get out of your own head, especially if you find yourself getting lost in there. And this can happen to anyone, whether you live alone or are constantly surrounded by others. We retreat into our head and get trapped there. So get out. Meet up with friends and do something fun. Table politics as a discussion topic and let the weight of the world slip off your shoulders for a few hours.
4. Work Up a Sweat
Old Tanya would have never included this and meant it, but new Tanya does recommend exercise as another option to help restore your happy balance. Now that I regularly exercise and experience those lovely endorphins firsthand, I understand the power of exercise goes beyond just my shrinking waistline and helping form new muscles. And honestly, if you’re in a real pissed-off, upset place where you want to lash out, then it’s probably one of your best options because getting that aggression outside of you is so important. Don’t keep it locked up and buried within because it will poison you. Exercise allows you to release it without harming yourself and or anyone else.
5. Do Something
Often times when I feel the most hopeless is when I also feel the most helpless. I think: How can I help? What can I do to make a difference? The answer is simple: Do something, anything. Give back in whatever manner feels comfortable to you, whether marching in a protest, donating money or volunteering for a cause you care about deeply. Just do something. Buy meals at a homeless shelter for Thanksgiving. Adopt a family for Christmas. It doesn’t even have to be things directly tied to whatever is upsetting you either, just do something because it makes a difference to the recipient. They know someone cares about them; someone sees them. They are not alone. And neither are you.
Aim for Happiness Every Day
One of my mentors always told me the best comeback to anyone who wants to see you weak or scared or sad is to be happy because nothing angers them more than to see you enjoying life versus crushed or cowed. So that’s what I aim to do: to find happiness every day, even if it’s just for a moment or two and stop giving away my happiness to others. This doesn’t mean I won’t stand tall or push back or call out wrongs I see, but it also means that I won’t let anyone or anything rob me of my happiness either. I hope you’ll do the same because our happiness is what will light the darkness and guide us through it.
How do you find balance in tough times? Or what gets you out of a funk?
Tanya
I’m doing all of those things right now. I don’t care if my head is somewhat buried in the sand for a moment. I need to take a break from all that and feel better. I’m trying to seek out positive material on tv and the internet. I’m also reading the daily stoic. Good little nugget of info to ingest ever day to kind of give you tools to be more chill!
I hear you. It is important to take some downtime from the world and give yourself a break from all the crappy news. Also, I don’t think that’s sticking your head in the sand either — that’s taking care of your mental well-being. Sticking your head in the sand, in my opinion, is not caring about what’s going on because you don’t think anything affects you. I am also trying to seek out positive material to help me stay balanced and keep my perspective. I spend a lot of time looking at animal memes on Pinterest. 😀 I am unfamiliar with the daily stoic and will check it out!
it’s been over a month since i’ve done a ‘real’ workout (ie. muay thai) and i’m DYING. as in i dream about being at the gym nearly every night and wake up mad that i still can’t go (yet). that said though, i know my body needs this so i’m trying to distract myself and find other ways to chill – reading, surfing, watching netflix are all high on my list.
I can only imagine how crazy you are going because I know how you love an intense workout. Maybe that will be me some day. Or not! It’s good though that you’re allowing your body to heal so you can get back to your workout. Reading is normally my go-to but lately it’s been more old favorites than new books.
I feel like I’ve been in a huge funk for the longest time myself… I needed this reminder to take some time to pamper myself when I can – the smallest ways makes a HUGE difference.
Yes, you take some time for yourself, Rebecca Jo. You are always on the go and deserve some pampering! And the littlest can truly make a big difference.
This political/societal situation we have been in all year has been very bad for the mental health and stability of so many of us.
It really has been. I’m trying to stay positive and Tuesday night’s election results have helped. Bigly. 😀
I hear ya. I’ve not been active on twitter that much because everything is bad all the time. Looking at what is “trending” gets me every damn time!
Watching bad tv like The Real Housewives of New Jersey or Orange County is great to watch when you are done with all things political 🙂
I’ve cut back on Twitter too. I used to be somewhat obsessed with it and it wasn’t good for me. At all! I’m not into reality TV but I can see how Real Housewives can work for you! I watch lots of Big Bang Theory and Food Network. And of course, Murder She Wrote!
i think i come across as someone who sticks her head in the sand and ignores it, but only because i don’t like talking about it online or with certain people. so it’s like i stick my head in the sand part time. but i feel you. i feel like i have nothing to say because of everything that is going on, it’s just draining me all the time.
re-reading a favourite or re-watching a favourite? seriously, highlight of my life. of course, i always go for some sort of romantic comedy or romance but you know. whatever makes your heart happy and your soul light.
getting some exercise, relaxing and staying away from people who annoy the absolute buggery out of me do wonders for my mental health. and of course cat cuddles. duh.
I think the fact that you comment on people’s posts that talk politics or current events proves you don’t have your head stuck in the sand. I definitely understand why people choose not to discuss politics on their blogs or with certain people (I definitely avoid talking politics with select people too because I don’t want to need bail!). It is draining and exhausting. For me, I find some comfort in connecting with others who feel the same as me because sometimes I feel very alone.
Oh goodie! Another fan of rereading and re-watching favorite shows/movies! I love a good romantic comedy too but not when I’m cranky because then I harp on everything that drives me nuts. I need explosions! But when I need something feel-good, romantic comedies make me feel all warm and fuzzy inside.
I am 100% in need of a social media detox. At least Facebook =/ I think I might leave for a bit during the holidays!
I totally agree about getting lost in your favorite book or movie! October is typically my favorite month: my birthday, Halloween, fall… But this year it just overwhelmed me and made me sad 🙁 Even the lack of trick-or-treaters put me in the worst slump. K went to bed on the 31st and I decided to stay up and order in Beetlejuice on Amazon video and it 100% did the trick. I felt so good getting lost in one of my favorites 🙂
I have never been big on Facebook. I’m on there but I can’t remember the last time I even posted anything. 😀 Twitter is where I spend a lot of time, although I’m cutting back because it can be so darn ugly. Pinterest is my happy place because I pin a ton of animal memes, which always make me laugh and/or coo. Beetlejuice is one of my favorite movies! I heard they want to remake/reboot it, which I’m not too keen on. It’s perfect as is!
These are all such great tips! Self-care in these difficult times is so important. I especially love me time to read a book or watch one of my shows.
Self-care is so important and something I am not always good at doing. Reading is always one of my favorite me times, especially when Max snuggles up next to me. I’m also a big fan of the good ‘ol cat nap with Max too. He is always down for a cat nap. LOL!
Awesome blog post title. I discovered reading other people’s blogs and watching Korean dramas as great stress relievers. 🙂
Thanks, Nicole! I have not watched any Korean dramas — which ones do you recommend?