FUNK-a-delic

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I battle the funk on occasion. 

I try to fight the good fight, but I know my opponent is getting the best of me when I start seeing signs like:

• Losing interest in things I usually enjoy

• Being irritable

• Feeling (more) anti-social

• Neglecting my body

• Wanting to sleep more

• Feeling defensive and cranky

Unfortunately, I'm usually in a full-fledged funk by the time I acknowledge that I've been seeing the funk warning signs for weeks.

Guess who is singing the FUNK-a-delic blues right now?

Telling myself I shouldn't be in a funk - that I have so much to be grateful for - that others have far worse circumstances than I am - doesn't lift the funk. I mean, logically, I know those things are true, but telling myself I shouldn't be in a funk does little more than make me feel guilty and actually gives the funk new life.

I've decided that what I really need is a plan of action - a collection of weapons that give me a better chance at slaying the funk. 

My first step is to pause  and look at the bigger picture. Is the reason for my funk staring me in the face? Is there an issue I have been avoiding that needs to be addressed? Or is this a general funk? One that cannot be conquered with a single action.

If it’s specific to a single situation/issue (which it sometimes is), and I can ease the funk by confronting the situation/issue, that's exactly what I need to do. Identifying the cause of the funk, before it takes over unrelated parts of my life, is much easier than battling multiple enemies.

But what if I'm facing the funk Army? What if it's a generalized funk that is infiltrating who I am (and yes, this is currently where I am)? What then?

Then it's time to take the "one bite at a time" mentality.

Losing interest in things I usually enjoy - I've learned this often happens when I've overdone whatever "it" is that I enjoy. My personality tends to put me either all in, or all out. I'm working on finding that "happy medium", but until I do, I've decided that giving myself permission to have less interest for awhile - rather than beating myself up over it - is usually a successful strategy.

Being irritable - I got all up in Cam's face earlier this week over the glove box latch breaking in the 14-year old Cavalier. I was unreasonable. It reminded me of the importance of breathing. If I take the time to conscientiously breathe, it gives me time to realize that the things that are irritating me are completely out of my control and are irrelevant in the long run.

Feeling (more) anti-social - Being an introvert by nature, feeling anti-social is pretty normal for me, but when I notice I'm hiding from the world all of the time, it calls for action. I've found that I tend to do this more when my interactions are limited to the same handful of people for an extended period of time. A change in "facial scenery" - like my recent weekend in Milwaukee - will often do the trick.

Neglecting my body - This tends to be the proverbial snowball rolling downhill for me. I find myself engaging in continuous negative self-talk and expect perfection (this would fall into that all in or all out mentality I struggle with). When I find myself in this place, I remind myself that every small decision I make regarding my health has the opportunity to be a a positive one, and do the best I can to make as many of those during the day as possible.

Wanting to sleep more - I am one who uses sleep to avoid - to avoid taking action that might be difficult - to avoid facing the funk. Avoidance doesn't solve much (DAMMIT!), so I've been trying to find activities that are stimulating and productive. Playing Bejeweled Blitz on Facebook for hours might be stimulating, but it's not productive. Reading a book? Satisfies both requirements.

Feeling defensive and cranky - These are probably the most difficult things for me to deal with during the funk cycle. I know that other people’s actions may make me feel defensive and cranky, but it is seldom (if ever) their intent. Even if it is? I just look like a schmuck when I react this way.Thinking before speaking (or writing) is my best bet on this one.

I do know why this funk appeared. The holidays (sans family) are approaching  I won't be able to do all that I want to do for Cam or for Mike. I've got an eligibility/IEP/placement meeting on the horizon.

I've got sadness, disappointment, frustration, and fear staring me down. I'm not a fan of any of those feelings, so I just shove them down, letting them fester. And then the funk gets worse and gains even more control.

I'm trying to give myself permission to feel the funk (rather than beat myself up over it). At least when I acknowledge how I am feeling, I take the power back, start working on battling the demons, and spend less FUNK-a-delic time.

At least that's the plan.

Are you a frequent funk visitor? What do you do to get yourself out of it?