Most people experience a slump at points in their life. A slump is characterised by de-motivation, lethargy, and poor concentration. Struggling to perform at your normal pace is also a sign. You might not notice yourself slipping into a slump until you are in it and struggling to get through each day. Feeling helpless and confused is common when you are in a slump. People experience slumps at different levels of severity.
How do we overcome slumps and revamp our lives?
- Find out the reason for the slump
People fall into slumps gradually, many do not even notice it happening. Once you are aware of it, try to find out the possible reason or reasons for it. You might be chasing your dreams but spending little/no time with your loved ones might put you into a slump.
Slumps can be caused by an unfulfilling job or heartbreak. Loss of employment and financial instability can also lead to a slump. So, try to identify the reason and work on making it better.
- Reshuffle your circle
The people around you can build you up, help you achieve your goals, or cut you down and hinder your progress. Get rid of pessimistic and unsupportive friends, romantic partners, or relatives around you. Cut these types of people out of your life or distance yourself from them. This can be difficult but it is necessary. Don’t be afraid to make new friends, the final goal is to have a circle of people who are good for you.
- Examine your career
Are you working on a job you love? Does your job offer growth and promotion opportunities? Are you underpaid and overworked? Your employment situation can contribute to a slump. You might need to change your job, your employer, or even go the self-employed route. If you are unemployed, try free internships and volunteering.
Whatever your decision, make sure it’s one that has a positive effect on your life. Learn more about overcoming career challenges at lifewithnolimits.co.nz
- Focus on helping others
Rendering help to people who need it can improve your mood and influence your outlook on life. It might even provide the solution that gets you out of your slump or lead to a life-changing decision. For instance, volunteering at a food bank can uncover a passion for creating affordable meal packages.
- Pick up new skills and hobbies
Remember when you picked up stamp collecting to impress your ex? It’s time to drop it and find activities that genuinely make you happy. Learn a skill that can boost your career options and result in a promotion. A new hobby can become a source of income. Even without these added perks, think of how happy you will feel.
- Avoid comparisons
‘Comparison is the thief of joy”, is a quote everyone has heard a thousand times before and it is very true. It is easy to spotlight our shortcomings against the achievements of other people. Take time off social media, where everyone has a glamorous life. Social media only reveals aspects of people’s lives. Be happy with your progress and where you are.
- Go on a vacation
Getting away from the repetitive daily grind helps us to reset, recharge, and de-stress. Spend some time away from work, family, and stress. Take some to breathe and refresh.
- Have a target and set goals
Getting out of a slump requires some soul-searching questions. What can you do differently to prevent a future occurrence? What changes do you need to make to your life? How do you want to do it? Where do I want to be a year after? What goals or aims do I want to achieve during this period? Working towards set targets and goals helps you focus. Remember to set various goals: short-term, long-term, small goals, and big ones. Achieving the small goals provide the psychological boost to focus on big goals.
- Make healthy life choices
Change your diet and lifestyle as needed. You will need to drop smoking, drinking, or using any psychoactive drugs by the wayside. Go to rehab if necessary. Modify your diet, eat less junk food, processed foods, sugar, salt, and fats. Instead, drink more water, eat more fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and lean meats. You will feel better and look better.
- Develop an exercise habit
Exercising can be tough to get into, it’s tiring, leaves you sweaty and quite painful at the start. But its long-term effects are great such as being able to climb stairs without gasping for breath. In addition to increased physical strength, fitness, and a great appearance. Don’t work out to achieve the perfect body, focus on better physical health.
- Reflect
Sometimes, looking inwards is the only way to know exactly what changes to make or what actions to do. Look back on your past actions, decisions, and even in your daily life. What can you do better? What do you need to do to reach the places you want to? Examining your thoughts, reactions, and decisions critically helps to enhance self-awareness. Meditation, quiet walks, and journaling are good opportunities for reflection.
- Embrace change
At the core of the recovery process is changing. In order to move on past the slump, you must be willing to change. Your lifestyle, your attitude to life, and your friend circle are obvious areas. Your job, manner of, and your dressing are also potential areas for change. Accept the factors necessary for change to occur and blossom into a self you are proud of.
- Love yourself through it all
The process will not be smooth and simple all the way. There will be bumps in the road, bad days, poor decisions, lost friends, and discouragements. Don’t judge yourself or wallow in depression. Focus on the progress you have made and the victories she has achieved.
A slump can be difficult to overcome, but working through it and getting out of it will be very rewarding. It’s not going to be over in a moment but remember that each brings you closer to where you want to be.
