Fighting the funk... - Al-Anon Family Group

rehprof · ~*Service Worker*~

Fighting the funk...

PP · ~*Service Worker*~

Sometimes I just don't fight it. I let it be and keep life as simple as I can, with few demands. I check in with myself often during the day to see what I need...sometimes it is a nap, sometimes it is a light movie, sometimes it is a cup of coffee in front of the fireplace, sometimes a call to a friend, sometimes gratitude reminders, sometimes simple exercise or a walk. I guess what I am saying as I stay close to how I am feeling and give me what I need and I don't make me wrong for my funk (the three A's). Take good care, rp. Peace......

tiredtonite · Veteran Member

I'm feeling this too. I have a lot going on right now and the holidays seem like another chore. There things I very much like about the holidays though and I'm trying to focus on those things and look forward to them. Slogans like Keep It Simple and Easy Does It are good reminders to me that I need to put myself at the top of the holiday gift list and give to myself first. The best gifts for me are self awareness and self care. HALT hungry, angry, lonely, tired? Am I trying to do too much? Am I being true to myself or is my motive to impress others? I have to really be mindful not to cross the line from trying to make it a nice holiday to people pleasing. I'm trying to keep my word to myself and do only what I've decided I'm willing to do no matter what others think. I've been getting up each day and asking my hp to help me stay present and to help me to not buy into others expectations of me or give into the illusion that if I do this or do that it'll be an ideal holiday. I'm doing small things each day. If I feel I have the energy or interest to do a little more I do it and I'm asking for help to get things done. Actually, my xmas list this year is filled with things I need help with which will cost people nothing but their time. It's what I need most. I have no expectations here either LOL All I know is I'm letting go of all the glitter and it will be what it will be because if I don't I'll lose my serenity in "have to's"

I'm trying not to skip my daily readings. They calm me and help me to refocus when I feel overwhelmed. I'm also creating boundaries for myself - one is my budget of money, time and emotion - how much do I want to spend? I'm asking for help with getting a few things done. Hopefully, those I spend the upcoming holidays won't be measuring my worth by the meal, the gifts and how my house looks. If someone passes an inappropriate remark.... I can leave their judgement where it belongs... with them. Until then, there is no reason to fear, worry and project any future discomfort that may not even occur. Just like Lincoln (quote from our daily reader) .... I'll be as happy as I make up my mind to be.

My question for myself is what do I need to do to take care of myself TODAY? I always seem to be better off when I take it odaat. Hope this helped some. Thanks for sharing. (((hugs))) TT

milkwood · ~*Service Worker*~

Oh that funk is always creeping around! If it crops up it normally means that I'm neglecting something, it could be some sort of self care or it could be work related - so I'll give myself a treat (hot soak in the bath, exercise, yoga, new fragrance, book a massage, bake a cake etc) and then sit and ask myself what I would like my life to look like and then evaluate what I have the energy to actually do.

If I'm tired - I give myself time off to read a book and have a pottering day.
If I'm lonely I will call a friend or arrange a visit.
If I'm feeling unproductive then I'll try to come up with a creative task or do someone a favour.

In the past I've struggled with feeling a bit under-utilised so I've also booked myself onto courses (creative writing and italian). These took a bit more get up and go, but they really did make me feel good when I was doing them.

SerenityRUS · ~*Service Worker*~

Hugs Sis, I get the same thing and I really try to just get out of myself. Attitude of gratitude .. I look around at the things I have to be thankful for .. one of them is the excitement my kids have about Christmas even if I don't. This is going to be a really hard season with what the stbax is doing .. or not doing .. not my issue .. it still hurts my heart that he is choosing not to see the kids and it's a direct punishment to me. That's totally on him. Anyway, I focus on the fact the memories the kids have are because I get to share that with them .. regardless of what dad is doing or in this case not doing. I can make different decisions.

ilovedogs · ~*Service Worker*~

Milkwood's post reminded me of the slogan: HALT:
I also remind myself of: What's the next right thing? And, I try to focus on that particular thing even if it's just brushing my teeth. Paula mentioned going for a walk and that always refreshes me unless it's over 100 degrees here and then I have to find something else, LOL! Hugs to you, you are soooo not alone!

grateful2be · ~*Service Worker*~

When it comes to decorating for Christmas, for several years, I've drug up two table trees that are already decorated, plugged them in and called it good. This year, I have decided I don't want to decorate my home but I like lights outside. So, Saturday, I stuck three red and white snowflake solar lights in my front yard and hung a blue ornament shaped solar light on my clothesline in the back. When Christmas is over, I'll pull up the 3 lights, take down the fourth, put them back in my garage and call that good, too. Pushing beyond my limits (or the old no pain-no gain saying) helps keep me in a funk. Noticing the energy I really do have and honoring it simplifies my life more with no negative residuals from doing what my mind want to do but my body says: "WHAT!!!!!!! WHY????????" That helps me move out of a funk.

Debilyn · ~*Service Worker*~

drink more water, more fresh fruit and vegies, no bread, rice.

and take naps! love,deb

The material presented here is not Al-Anon Conference Approved Literature. It is a method to exchange information, ideas, feelings, problems and solutions on a personal level.