So, I had a really rough 2020. I was in a very dark place for a long time, but now I can confidently say that I am out of that darkness. I am so happy at this moment in my life (except for the fact that I’m still painfully single, but it’s fine). I’ve been doing so much self-improvement and I think I’ve finally been able to bask in the light at the end of that very dark tunnel. Here are my tips on how to lift yourself out of that slump and get your life right.
- Schedule Time to Exercise
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Fitness has always been a great love of mine. Once I started going to the gym all of the time, I noticed I slept more, lost weight, ate healthier, and had more energy throughout the day. However, you have to be your own worst enemy about scheduling a time to exercise. Don’t go easy on yourself; make a schedule and stick to it. Make your schedule realistic, practical, and concrete. I go to the gym before 9 A.M three times a week, Monday, Wednesday, Friday. I recommend going in the morning to avoid crowds and giving yourself the motivation to conquer the rest of your day. Typically, after I’ve hit the gym, showered, and made my breakfast for the day, I become more confident, more determined, and more mentally prepared for my day. Remember: working out is just as beneficial for your mental health as it is for your physical health.
- Step Out of Your Comfort Zone
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You don’t have to do crazy activities to step out of your comfort zone. In fact, I’ve found that the little things actually have the biggest impact. For example, I am constantly listening to music while doing my homework every day. So, I make an effort to listen to at least five new musical artists or songs every day. Getting stuck in the same playlists gets boring after a while, so why not change it up? I’ve since found INCREDIBLE songs that I would have never known existed if I didn’t step outside of my box. Also, I’ve been making an effort to call my friends more. I hate texting, yet, it’s the number one way I contact the people I love. I realized that there’s a comfortability that exists through texting. You get to hide behind a screen and decide whether or not you feel like talking to someone. But, calling takes you out of that concept because you are inclined to discuss new topics, ask more questions, and experience conversations you could never get from those blue and white bubbles. One other thing I’ve done to step out of my comfort zone a bit more is to compliment myself. I know, what a soapbox, but really, we all should be more kind to ourselves. And, believe me, it’s hard and uncomfortable, but it’s worth it.
- Talk to New People or Reach Out to Old Friends
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Just be friendly. What’s the worst that could happen, someone ignores you? Who cares? Ask for your waitress’s name and ask her how her day is going, did she have any good tippers? Any rough or silly customers? Just be a nice human, people love to love the friendly person in the room. You could also reach out to old friends you haven’t spoken to in a while. I recently put myself out there by talking to a friend who was a big part of my childhood, and our conversations have been lovely. If you’ve been on the fence about whether or not to speak up or reach out, just do it. This is your sign to go for it.
- Drink Water
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Get to sippin’, sister. We all have to do it, and chances are, we all should probably be doing it more often. This may be a silly tip, but get yourself a cup with a straw. I’m telling you, it’s life-changing; you end up drinking a lot more water than you thought.
- Try New Recipes
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I am absolutely obsessed with cooking and, as a way of trying to step out of my comfort zone, I’ve also tried baking. Update: I suck at baking but I’m really good at cooking. My best attempt at baking was a lemon bar recipe (something I’ve never tried before and it was amazing!). However, when it comes to cooking I get really excited. I love to cook healthy recipes, and lately, my favorite has been pan-fried brussels sprouts. I even got all of my friends to try out my recipe and it makes me so happy to know that it is now their favorite food! I’ll write an article soon about how to make them!
Ok, so these are just a couple of ideas/suggestions to help you get started on your best life. Please keep in mind that getting yourself to a light, happy, and healthy place takes time. There’s no rush! Be kind and be patient, you can do it. You’ve got a cheerleader in me!