One day last week, I was in a funk about something. I wasn’t angry, sick, or scared, and I didn’t really have any reason to be down, but I certainly wasn’t enjoying my day the way I wanted to be, and I wasn’t feeling self-assured and confident the way I like to feel.
Recognizing how I was feeling and admitting it to myself was a huge first step, and I know from reading a lot on the topic that you shouldn’t deny yourself of expressing negative emotions if you have a reason to be feeling down. However, I didn’t have a reason, and I wanted to be happy … I just couldn’t snap out of it.
After giving myself 30 minutes to just feel better (unsuccessfully), I found the best tip ever for snapping yourself out of a funk! I wish I could tell you that the solution for me was some scientifically proven theory, something I learned in my college psychology classes, or something I’ve read from a well-respected author. But instead … it was dancing in the shower!
Let me explain. I’m a very Type-A person. Everything is planned, organized, by-the-books. I’m never that person that surprises you with their spontaneity or cracks you up when you weren’t expecting humor. So, despite the fact that I was the only person home and I was 100% sure no one could see me, this was way out of the box for me. In fact, I’m pretty sure that 90% of you are thinking I’ve lost my mind right now (and I probably would if I were reading this, too), but you are the people who need to try this. Give me a chance here, and give it a try … next time you’re in a funk, just bust a little move in your shower for 30 seconds. I guarantee you’ll be laughing so hard at yourself that it will be impossible to be in a bad mood when you get out. It worked for me … and really, what do you have to lose?
Believe it or not, that’s the main point of the post, but it can be deeper than just dancing in the shower. When we have a reason to be upset, angry, scared, frustrated, or any other uncomfortable emotion, we owe it to ourselves to recognize and honor that emotion, and allow ourselves to express that, work through it, and not keep it pent up inside. When we’re in a funk for no reason, though, we also owe it to ourselves to break out of it and slap a smile on our faces! Just like a single positive thought in the morning can turn your whole day around, a 30-second dancing break in the shower can make you a happier person, and you deserve that happiness.
Blogger Awards
Many of you have likely seen the “Blogger Awards” that float around the blogging community. I like these because they’re a fun way to learn a little bit about the person behind the blog, so I aways enjoy reading others’ posts. However … I admit I’ve been a bad blogger. I was nominated for the Sisterhood of the World Bloggers Award by Michael and Sara (back in January!), and for the Liebster Award by Bre & Ree and Amy, and I never did anything about them! For both of these awards, you’re supposed to follow a specific protocol, answer the 5-10 questions your nominator asked, and then nominate 5-10 new bloggers. You may remember that I did the Liebster Award back in August, too! Well, today, I’m not going to follow the rules (Type-A be darned!), so I won’t answer all 23 questions I’ve been asked (you’re welcome), and I’ll nominate all of you readers to answer some of the questions rather than tagging specific bloggers. Here you go … enjoy!
- Favorite color (from Michael): This is one you might actually not know if you don’t know me in person, but I LOVE all things pink. I chose green for The Lyons’ Share, because it’s a color broadly associated with health, but in real life, there’s a very good chance I’m wearing pink, carrying a pink bag, talking on my pink phone, etc. I’m not even much of a girly-girl, I just love pink!
- Facebook or Twitter (from Sara): Definitely Facebook – I love posting motivation on The Lyons’ Share page, wishing my friends ‘Happy Birthday,’ and seeing what friends and acquaintances are doing in their lives. I just haven’t figured out how to make Twitter work for me. I do my best to Tweet out interesting articles, share other bloggers’ great posts, and share my Instagram photos with Twitter, but I don’t spend much time perusing other content there. It would take all day just to scroll through the feeds! Let me know if you have tips on how to utilize Twitter more effectively!
- What was your favorite blog post you’ve ever written? (from Bre & Ree) This one was a no-brainer. This post still makes me feel so grateful, emotional, and proud!
- If you were stranded on a deserted island and could only bring 3 foods, what would they be? (from Amy) My first instinct was cereal. Whenever I get asked the question of my #1 all-time favorite food, it’s usually a toss-up between ice cream and cereal. But when I really got to thinking about this, I realized that I would likely eat insane quantities of cereal as soon as I arrived on the island, and deplete my food supply for the rest of my stay (life?!), so this probably isn’t the best option. Assuming I already have fresh water, I would go with tuna, kale, and dark chocolate. Tuna has protein, fat, and omega-3s to sustain me and keep my brain and organs healthy. Kale is just an all-around superfood (and you know I had to have some veggies in my choices!). And chocolate … well, besides the health benefits … who doesn’t want chocolate? Besides the fact that I’m sure I’d get sick of these foods, I actually believe I could survive for quite a while on these three … I hope I never have to find out!
Since I’m not nominating other bloggers, go check out Michael, Sara, Bre & Ree, and Amy! They’re all amazing!
So tell me in the comments … What’s the best way to snap yourself out of a funk? Answer one of my 4 questions above!
OH man, everyone falls into those days where something just doesn’t feel right and you can’t quite put a pin on it. To get me out of a funk i try and get out of the house and be social. even if it’s going to work early or sitting at a coffee shop. Being around people makes me happy. I’m glad you got out of your funk!
Spoken like a true extrovert! When I’m in a funk, the thought of seeing other people kind of makes me feel worse. Ha!! It’s all about what works for you!
Dancing in the shower when I’m in a funk works? Well on that note, I’ll have to remember that next time I’m feeling low!! I had to laugh you mentioned tuna, because that’d probably be in my top 3 things to bring as well 🙂 LOL
YES – have you tried dancing in the shower yet, Jessie? When you do, I hope you laugh at yourself a bit :).
Haha I love this. I don’t think I’ve ever danced in the shower, but when I decided to move to Chicago, I did go in the bathroom at work and do a little jig. I think turning on music and dancing ALWAYS makes you feel better though, no matter what the location is!
You are too cute, Amy! You deserved a full-on dance party for deciding to move to Chicago! Proud of you, girl!
Hahah this is so true! I often put Pandora on when I shower and sometimes I will bust a move and for whatever reason it is hilarious! Like, umm did I really just do that? And then you’re so thankful no one saw! 🙂 My favorite color is pink, too!
YES – that is exactly it, Lauren! It’s just too funny not to laugh at yourself because it’s so out of the ordinary!
Dancing in the shower. Megan. I cannot believe this is coming from you. This is so unlike you….and I love it! Next time i’m in a funk, I’m adopting it 😉
Tuna sounds like an epic choice…I would maybe pick a chicken. or an egg. Or both.Or a male and a female chicken.
Have you danced in the shower this past week, Arman??? 🙂
My version of dancing in the shower is singing in the shower. I’m sure that my floormates here wish that I had a different way of dealing with stress, but It’s a great relief to just sing “Let it Go” at the top of your lungs. Afterwards, I feel doubly refreshed!
Brittney
Another Beautiful Thing
This made me laugh, Brittney. I’m sure your floor mates love it, even if they roll their eyes from time to time :).
I’m glad you found something to get you out of your funk! When I feel that way, I usually just want to be alone and let it pass. Most of the time I can sleep it off, and feel better the next day. However- similar to your dancing in the shower trick- I find that singing in the car helps me get out of a bad mood. Also, if I need to just get out a good cry I also like to do that in the car when I’m alone. I always hope that no one can see me!
This is going to sound strange, but as much of a huge introvert as I am, sometimes mellowing out and really feeling alone/ wallowing in bed makes me feel even worse. But singing in the car – yes! Mostly because, again, it’s a good source of laughing at myself :).
dance away friend! I dance and just laugh.. at myself. cause we need to get out of that funk someway, yes? Hope this week is better
Thanks for the comment, Lindsay! Yes, the last week was much better … it was just that random day. I guess we all have them! I’m learning to love laughing at myself too 🙂
I so badly needed to read this today and I am working on finding my own dancing in the shower amongst this craziness! If I was on a deserted island, I’d share my cereal with you 🙂
Did you dance in the shower this past week?!? I hope so!!
Thanks Megan! Love your answers! I was in a bit of a funk this morning myself and decided to move up my run to earlier in the day. I was determined to have a really productive morning, but I just wasn’t having it. Instead of sitting around and not getting anything done I went to run and BOY did it change my day around! Another fun thing I like to do is turn up the music really loud and dance around – its silly but makes me feel 100% better!
It is amazing how doing something totally silly relaxes us. I’m just not really a silly person in “regular life” so I think it makes me laugh at myself even harder!
I love your tip! I do something similar but not really in the shower…Beyonce-really really loud in my bathrobe (gotta be able to perform my best dance moves without constriction!) followed by doing something productive even if it’s as small as colouring a page in my colouring book. And yes, I still colour..while curt plays with his legos. No intention of ever growing up!
This made me laugh. I can totally picture you Beyonce-ing in your bathrobe, so that’s not the laughter part. It’s the part about you coloring and Curt playing with his legos. That is just TOO cute!!!!
I like to curl up on the couch and watch a favorite TV show. Z and I were going through all previous seasons of The Big Bang Theory so that would usually do the trick. Currently we’re loving New Girl, Modern Family or Psych. I can’t help but laugh when I watch them!
I love Modern Family, but haven’t seen any of those others! For some reason, TV just isn’t that relaxing for me (but grin and bear it, since Kevin loves TV and considers it “us time” to watch together!)
YOU ARE OUT OF CONTROL! Dancing in the shower, reposnding to these awards MONTHS later … not following the rules, not nominating others … OMG who IS this woman?!?!?
haha – seriously I love this … and the core message is SO important: your feelings ARE valid and important, so own them … and THEN figure out what to do. (My poor wife, an example again) … Lisa has struggled with this due to her childhood and having others invalidated her feelings, and now as a woman in her late 40s with all of the hormonal joyrides that entails, we have these discussions frequently ‘first accept your feelings. Next, is your reaction to the situation appropriate, and finally is it in proportion to what is going on’.
Music has always been a huge thing for me, so we tend to have speakers everywhere, including a bluetooth speaker in our bathroom. Now if you’ve clicked any of my music links you know my tastes aren’t really danceable, but I certainly move!
And totally agree with Bree & Ree about getting moving with your kids – kids have a natural tendency to move …. and it is just SO much fun to put on the oldies station and laugh and dance and sing …
I know … and now look at me, responding to comments a week later! REBEL! 😉
On a more serious note, I love the “three-step” approach you have with Lisa. That makes a ton of sense! I’m going to try to remember that next time for myself, so thank you.
And yes, your music taste might not be too dance-able. But whatever works!
I love the dancing in the shower!!! I have a four year old and occasionally I’ll turn the stereo way up and she and I will have our own dance/singing party. She’s in love with Katy Perry’s Roar and Imagine Dragon’s On Top of the World right now, so we always play those two songs at a minimum. It’s definitely an amazing way to get out of any funk and I always feel incredible after (no matter my mood).
And I like your stranded island food choices. I might swap out tuna for chicken, but the other two are spot on!
Glad you’re out of your funk and I hope you have a great week!
~Bre
That is SO cute, Bre!!! My niece is also in love with Katy Perry, and I love when she sings it out loud!