Life isn’t easy, and getting out of a funk can take some time. Sometimes, when you feel like you’re floundering, you may think you need to make a big change or a dramatic statement to feel like you’re in control again. But you don’t necessarily need some grand gesture in order to move on. It’s often the smallest things that make the biggest difference. Here are a few easy first steps to start feeling like you’ve got your life together again:
- Have a warm cup of tea with fresh mint. Not one that you ordered from Starbucks. Go to your local grocery store and pick up a fresh bunch of mint and throw it in with your teabag while it’s steeping. Now sit, breathe in the aroma deeply, and enjoy. And don’t multitask. Just drink.
- Clean your apartment. Not to sound like a L’Oreal commercial on repeat, but you’re worth it. You’re. Worth. It. It doesn’t matter if you’re single, if nobody’s going to see the place but you, and if your carpet is hidden under layers of clothes. Just do it, piece by piece. Putting your house together is the first step to putting your life together.
- Take care of something living. Sometimes being depended on forces you to step up and get it together when you don’t have enough self-motivation. You can aim small and start with some plants. Or, if you really trust yourself, aim big and get that cat you’ve always been thinking of adopting.
- Go home to your parents’ house for dinner. When you’re down, you’d be surprised how much a hug from mom can cure. Because moms always love you, no matter how much you’ve screwed up.
- Head to your local church (or other religious institution) services. Especially if you grew up in a religious family, there’s just something comforting about the familiarity of the rituals. Savor it.
- Reach out to someone you’ve lost touch with. Rekindling an old friendship can remind you that there are so many people out there who are rooting for you, even if it’s been a while. You’ve got a bigger support network than you think.
- Make yourself a real dinner, using all ingredients from scratch. Channel your inner 1950s housewife. And then eat it, obviously. You’ll love yourself. Guaranteed.
- Perform a random act of kindness for a stranger. Pay for the person behind you at Starbucks. Bake something homemade for a neighbor. Pay a visit to your local nursing home. Stop ignoring the homeless person you walk past every day. Knowing you’re responsible for making someone’s day is a great feeling.
- Find a regular volunteer opportunity. You’ll feel a connection to humanity that will give you a boost and make you feel like you’re part of something larger than yourself.
- Get rid of something you’ve been holding on to. Are you a hoarder? Try purging your place of anything you don’t use anymore. It can really change your life, and help you feel like you’re getting a new start.
- Breathe. When you walk in the door from work, stop and take five deep, slow, breaths. It’ll help you transition and let go of all the stress.
- Write down three things you’re thankful for every day. It forces you to focus on the positive. Throughout the day, you’ll find yourself going the extra mile or put in the extra effort to create small, happy experiences that you’ll be able to write down later that night.
- Don’t forget to smile! It does wonders for your mood.
