I've been in a funk all week. I'm completely blaming it on the weather. There is only so much of this darn heat that I can take before I want to curl up into a ball until fall. It has put me majorly out of sorts, and I feel like I've tried everything get over it. I've gone shopping. I've baked cookies. I've taken naps. I've cleaned out my closet. None of those things did the trick. I've been sort of mopey and lacking in motivation for days now. Then I remembered the best way to break out of a funk: physical activity, even when I don't feel like it. Especially when I don't feel like it. Yesterday I scrubbed my floors and mowed the lawn. I went running. I didn't want to do any of those things, but I felt better after I had. And today I went for a swim.
One of my goals this school year, now that Elliot is in preschool a few mornings a week, is to swim. I was a swimmer as a teenager, but that was half of my lifetime ago and I have missed it. Today was the day! I pulled on my swim cap, adjusted my goggles, and took the plunge. I swam for 30 minutes, which might not sound like much, but I'll tell you what, it was enough to turn my arms to jelly. I am having a hard time typing right now, if I'll be honest. But it felt so good to push myself! What I love most about swimming is the silence. It is so quiet (aside from the sound of my desperate gasps for air, of course), allowing me to focus on my thoughts. It's just me and the water. I like to feel my body stretching, propelling myself forward. It is calming and peaceful and invigorating all at the same time and it makes me happy.
Swimming might not be your jam. That's ok. Maybe you like to do yoga, or ride a bike. Sometimes a quick walk around the block is just the thing. But if you are in a funk, I promise that if you do something physical (outside if you can), you'll feel better. I know I do.
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Sorry you are in such a funk. I know what you mean with the heat. It is getting to me too! I hope you find happier moments around the corner!
ReplyDeleteI like swimming. It is not silent. I have underwater audio i pod that i listen too. I swim 1x a week and it is enough to get ready for sprint triathlons while marathon training. I should not be anxious for my kids to grow up. I really need to cherish it. But I have heard a few moms talk about the rut they are in with all their kids in school all day. Some are bored out of their minds, some are debating taking classes, going back to school, or back to work. I feel a little selfish….but I am pretty sure I am going to train for an ironman. My friend Sarah Williams does a moms adventure group and they do open water swims, SUP, trail running. She is on FB. You may even know her. Let me know and I will see about getting you in on the group.
ReplyDeleteI've been in the same funk, though I love hot weather - it's the cloudy days that get to me and we had a few earlier this week and then college started for my daughter (she lives at home and commutes), but I work at a University (where I've worked for 30 years), and it's surreal this year, being surrounded by the moving in freshman and their parents and realizing that I'm in the same boat. So that put me in a funk. But as you shared, doing something - exercise - helps... I do daily walks of around 3 miles and those help a lot.
ReplyDeleteHope you enjoy a blessed school year with your children.
Linda in Illinois
you found the cure. Work always works for me' Don't have a close swimming pool so work works every time.
ReplyDeleteglad you are better. Love and Hugs Grammy
love you steph!
ReplyDeleteAMEN! it says will power is trying hard not to do something you want to do, but most of the time it's trying hard to DO something that i don't want to.
ReplyDeleteYes. Getting off my butt is one of the best ways to get out of a funk for me too. It's too hot to go for a run here....but a work out, or a spell of deep cleaning will usually do the trick.
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