I tend to be a pretty upbeat optimistic person. I’ve had people ask “How are you always so happy?” I’m certainly not always happy. I’m human for goodness sake. I will admit that I am a glass half full kind of girl. With that being said I have to admit that this week I’ve had a case of the blahs.

A couple of months ago I did an audio interview with Cemone Glinton from Out Of Box Weddings. I shared it before but if you haven’t heard it yet you can check it out here. Click listen to the audio interview (p.s. if you are listening from an iPhone go through safari).

Anyhow, I was super nervous about the interview. I didn’t know what she would ask or how well I would do. I’ve been interviewed before but I usually see the questions beforehand or respond in writing which gives me a little more time to be thoughtful. It ended up being an amazing experience, but one question she asked me resonates with me now. Cemone wanted to know what I did during those times I felt down as a single mom and couldn’t get myself off the couch.

To be honest this question was difficult because I couldn’t remember those times. I was so busy as a single mom- carpooling kids around, working,  and taking college classes that I don’t remember having a lot of time to feel sorry for myself when I saw my glass as half empty.

I do however remember having an amazing support system and I know when times weren’t so good they helped get me through. This week has been tough for me and it made that question a little more relevant for me again. So here are a few things anyone can do (single mom or not) when you have a case of the blahs.

Pick up the phone-I have to admit I am a texter. As a counselor I listen and talk all day so besides chatting with my parents and my daughter regularly I don’t make a lot of phone calls. This week was different though. I had several friends reach out to me and it felt good to talk it out. It’s important to have some half full people to pull you through when you are feeling empty. Make sure you aren’t commiserating with your Eeyore friends though. You need a few Tiggers or Poohs on your team to make you smile through the phone.

Watch a funny movie-I never understood the whole ice-cream, tissue box and tear jerker movie when you are feeling down. My go to is always a comedy when I have the blahs. Laughter is the best medicine. Yesterday we went to see a comedy and I laughed so hard I cried. I felt so much better after leaving the theater and was able to keep that momentum going all day.

Remember to breathe-okay, I know this one sounds silly because you wouldn’t be reading this if you weren’t breathing, but I mean breathe intentionally. Actually focus on your breath. There are all kinds of apps out there to assist with this if you are a tech kind of person. I use my new Breathe app on my apple watch which actually reminds me to practice this twice a day but I also have a Calm app on my iPhone. You don’t need an app though, you just need to take a few minutes each day to focus on your breathing. Inhaling and Exhaling with intention is one of the easiest things you can do to feel a little better each day.

Do something just for you-you know what makes you feel better. Do it. Do whatever that one (positive) thing is that always makes you smile on the inside. Bake the cookies, lace up the running shoes, make the appointment at the salon, pick up the book. Just be intentional. It is easy to just go with the flow, stay in the moment and not think about turning things around. Make a conscious decision to do something you know will make you feel just a little bit better each day.

Do something for someone else-giving back is a great way to not only help someone else but it helps you. Altruism is a definite mood lifter. Even something as simple as paying a toll for the car behind you or a coffee for the next customer in the drive through line can help boost your mood and make the day of a stranger. Whether you have a passion for volunteering or you hold the door and smile at a stranger, each time you do something to fill someone else’s tank yours is filled as well.

These are all things I do to help get me out of a funk. I think the most important thing to keep in mind  is that “Nothing is constant except change.” In other words no matter what  you are going through right now it won’t stay the same. Just remember to do a few things to help ease the blahs until you are smooth sailing again.

I’d love to hear about things that you do to combat the blahs too!

Until Next Post,