hey everyone, it’s priscilla, coming through with more blog posts as i promised! confession: i actually wrote this back in the winter and then missed my chance to post it HAHA. but since a lot of us are now stuck at home because of quarantine, i thought it was pretty relevant, so here it is!
i often feel a bit restless, especially during long school breaks. i don’t like sitting around doing nothing, yet i can’t find the motivation to do anything productive. although people keep telling me i just need to try new things and do what i want to do, it’s hard for me to know what i really enjoy these days, and i often end up doing nothing or just watching netflix. i’m not sure if anyone else feels like this, but if you’re feeling a bit stuck, lost, and/or empty, this is a post for you. i’m obviously no expert, and this is something i’m still working on constantly, but let’s work through this together!
– journal. my first recommendation when you’re feeling weird/down/empty/confused/numb would just be to journal! you might be saying to yourself, “but i don’t LIKE journaling,” or “i can’t find the motivation,” or “i can never journal when i’m in a bad mood.” trust me, i’ve had all these thoughts and doubts before too. i used to think i could never process my feelings properly, especially during times when my emotions were particularly chaotic and confusing. but just start small! you don’t have to wait until you’re feeling so BLEGH that you don’t even know where to start writing (but if that’s the way you prefer to process, that’s great too!). i suggest trying to build a daily habit of journaling, whether you want to do something like morning pages or you simply prefer to write about the day’s events before you go to bed. i used to really enjoy morning pages, because it’s a really good way to center yourself at the beginning of your day and also to plan out what you want to do that day. however, at some point it started feeling like a bit of a burden, and i found myself just forcing myself to fill up the pages. since switching to journaling in the evening this year, i realized that i enjoy this much more. i like how i get to reflect on what i did and how i felt during the day, and i’m excited that i’ll be able to look back in the future and see exactly what i was like in 2020! so even if you don’t think journaling is “your thing,” i suggest you just give it a try and see where things go! i think writing things out is almost always helpful in processing my thoughts and emotions, and it’s also comforting to spend that time with myself when i don’t feel like talking to anyone in particular.
– change your environment. i think this is really really helpful for me, especially when i’ve been at home alone for too long. go to a local cafe and read, write, do some work, people watch, draw, whatever you want! i find that this almost always helps boost my mood and motivation, and it’s just nice to take a break from the same old environment. if you don’t want to go out and spend money on coffee (which i totally understand and relate to), you could also go to the library or a bookstore, or even a park if you prefer nature (and don’t need wifi). either way, just get out of the house/your usual environments and clear your mind! disclaimer: because of social distancing/quarantine, i recognize that most places are closed now…. but if you can, try to get out of the house at least and take a walk! you could visit a park, explore your neighborhood, and/or watch the sunset. you can also try to change your spaces at home – rearrange your furniture, redecorate, etc.
– listen to something. soooo many options here! if you’re in the mood for music, you can shuffle your favorite artist or just put on one of spotify’s playlists based on genre/mood. better yet, make your own playlist specifically for when you’re in a weird mood — add all your favorite songs, songs that make you feel soft and cozy and peaceful. i’ve also recently been getting into podcasts! although i find it a bit hard to focus on podcasts sometimes, it can be comforting to hear a human voice as well as learn something new! there’s podcasts on literally everything, from mental health to eating to relationships to career advice….. the topics are endless! i’m still pretty new to podcasts, but i’ve been listening to teenager therapy (even though i’m not a teenager anymore ??), practicing human, the savvy psychologist’s quick and dirty tips, k-pop daebak with eric nam, and more. another option is audiobooks! i believe you can get your first book free from audible, but you should also be able to borrow audiobooks electronically through your public library. so, now the question is what to DO while listening to your audio of choice. you can exercise (more on this soon!), do laundry, clean, cook, or simply lie down and listen. i often end up doing something that ends up distracting me from my podcasts….. don’t make the same mistakes as me (ex. going on your phone, texting friends, going on social media). it is OKAY to give yourself time to just sit and relax.
– as mentioned before, exercise! i’m sure you’ve heard this before, but exercise boosts your endorphin and dopamine levels, which makes you feel happier. if running isn’t your thing (it’s definitely not mine haha), try taking walks! i find long walks relaxing, but you can start with 10-15 minute walks. walking is a really great form of exercise that’s a lot easier on your knees and the rest of your body, and i definitely recommend taking walks in the park and/or around your neighborhood! you can even grab a friend and take a (socially distanced) hike if that’s your cup of tea. if you don’t want to leave the house, there are also a MILLION options for home workouts — go on youtube and search up yoga, pilates, kickboxing, abs, you name it. these workouts don’t have to be super long either; after all, a 10 minute workout is better than no workout at all. i’ve been doing a lot of home workouts (thanks, chloe ting – blog post on this to come soon) and those have been pretty great! regardless of what kind of exercise you choose to do, make sure to stay hydrated and to eat properly!
– try something new. although it’s more comfortable to stick with what you know and are used to, i find that doing something different helps me get rid of the slump-y feeling. this could be as simple as ordering something new at your favorite cafe/restaurant or trying out a new recipe for dinner. if you want to do something crazier, you could also explore a new city or even dye your hair a new color! trying new things can create a sense of excitement and motivation 🙂
– connect with people. when i’m in a weird mood, my first instinct isn’t to text or call a friend, even though that always helps me feel better. i sometimes worry that my friends might not want to talk to me (not true!! you are important and people WANT to talk to you), or that i’m bothering them with my problems (also not true! your feelings and worries are valid), but these worries are often just me overthinking. the truth is, most of your friends will probably be glad to hear from you, even if you haven’t talked for a while. use this as an opportunity to reconnect with old friends or strengthen your current friendships!
– watch something. sometimes, you just need to take a break from everything and distract yourself. it’s okay to watch a movie or binge a few episodes of a show, but i would caution against letting yourself become too mindless with your media consumption. the occasional binge won’t kill you; just make sure you’re taking care of yourself! eat your meals, drink water, and stand up and walk around every once in a while. of course, it’s not very healthy to spend the entire day watching tv every day, so try to watch in moderation!
– more ideas: volunteer somewhere (there are a lot of online/remote volunteer opportunities – i’ve been volunteering with crisis text line, would highly recommend!). watch an educational video or a ted talk. learn a new language. learn to play an instrument. scrapbook. go shopping (or online shop). bake something. cook. meditate. play board games with your friends/family. play online games. sing to yourself. dance. paint your nails. dress up and take selfies. look through your old photos. read webtoons. read a normal book. learn to paint. draw.
– if all else fails, sleep (especially if it’s already nighttime). more often than not, you’ll feel a lot better in the morning after a good night’s rest, and whatever was bothering you before won’t seem so overwhelming anymore.
i hope something in this list is beneficial to you, and i want to say that i’m proud of you for taking this step to try and take care of yourself! it’s not easy to feel so restless and lost, and just the fact that you’re reading this post is a testament to your strength. if you find that this low mood and emptiness isn’t going away, it might be beneficial to seek professional help, if that’s financially and practically possible for you. please take care of yourselves! always sending love and warm wishes to you all <3
Could I know your theme of the blog that you are using? It looks so sweet thanks so much