You know the feeling when you just have no motivation to do anything? It often seems to be for no apparent reason, but there’s a block. This is completely invisible yet very solid block is a slump. Slumps aren’t fun, but they’re not the end of the world either. Everyone gets that feeling once in a while. Slumps can last various amounts of time, and they manifest in different ways, emotional, creative, and physical. There isn’t one perfect solution to getting out of a slump, but mixing and matching these techniques can put you on the road to getting your sparkle back.
Talk About It
Talking about something that is bothering you is a healthy way to deal with it and just get it out. Sometimes all it takes to get things off of your mind is to sit down with someone you trust and feel comfortable with and tell them what is going on. Tell a story, vent, complain, whatever you need to do to get it out. Even if they don’t have advice for you, it can be nice to just share with someone that you have been struggling a bit. Chances are they will relate and will be able to engage in a conversation with you about it.
Distract Yourself
If your slump has a cause, like doing too much of a thing or putting too much pressure on yourself, take a break! Whether it’s homework, dance practice, or just not managing your time well, knowing when to take a break can make a big difference. Take a moment. Take a breath, and give yourself time to pay attention to yourself or do something you enjoy. Watch a movie, call a friend, clean your room. Just get up and do something that will distract you even if it’s only for 15 minutes.
Puzzle It Out
Take a deep dive and find out what is making you feel this way. Then see what you can do about it. If you feel like your life is just overwhelming, getting out your planner or cleaning your room could be the first step to feeling a little lighter. If you don’t have the motivation for dance, take a trip down memory lane and see why you started doing it in the first place. If you are having a hard time doing homework, try doing it with a friend.
There is always another way to do things if what you are doing right now isn’t working. Change your routine or your perspective. Try something new. Give yourself options! Getting out of a slump (or at least feeling better until it passes) is usually about feeling lighter when things get heavy.
