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This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at Washington chapter.

Whether it’s the winter weather, online school, or just life in general, it’s the time of year where lots of people are in a funk. Personally, I’ve been feeling this way lately. Sometimes nothing seems to help. If you are feeling this way, it is totally valid! No one has everything together all of the time, and that is okay. Still, there are several things you can do to get yourself out of a funk.

Acknowledge and Accept How You’re Feeling

Before anything else, you need to acknowledge how you’re feeling. It can help to think about why you are feeling this way. Maybe it’s the stress of midterms, worries about the transition back to in person, or something going on in your personal life. Remembering that the feeling is temporary helps me accept the situation. Once you realize this, you can start to think of things that can help. I like writing a list and focusing on the things that I can actively change.

Do Things to Improve Your Mental Health

When I’m feeling off, I turn to the things I love to do. Even the smallest thing, like going for a walk on a nice day, can help so much. Getting outside helps me feel like I accomplished something. While physical activity may help some people, it may not be best for everyone. Cooking, journaling, reading, or anything that helps you relax or destress works too!

Change Up Your Routine

Another thing to try is changing up your routine or finding a routine if you don’t have one. If you’re feeling like you are in a rut with your daily routine, changing it can help you feel more motivated and inspired. Finding new places to study is a great way to do this. It can help you feel more productive, especially being around other people who are working hard. 

Have Something to Look Forward To

Making plans or finding something small to look forward to can help you get out of a funk. I’ve been in a funk for the past few weeks, and having in person classes has given me something to look forward to. Even having something small to look forward to, like getting coffee or calling a friend, can help so much. 

Hopefully these tips help you find new inspiration and get you out of your funk. Shifting your mindset, even the slightest bit, can help so much. As college students, we live such busy lives and it’s too easy to neglect our mental health. Make sure to make time for yourself and check in with yourself. 

Nicole Green

Washington '25

Nicole Green is a junior at the University of Washington studying Public Health - Global Health with the goal of attending medical school in the future. She balances her academics with time for herself by cooking, baking, hiking, traveling, playing volleyball at the IMA, and spending time with friends and family. Outside of school, Nicole has been a member of Her Campus since her freshman year, and this is her second year as Contributing Editor. She also works for a research study on campus, is involved in Dance Marathon, volunteers at Seattle Children’s Hospital, and is involved in the Greek Community. Check out her articles to see how she balances all of her involvements and why she has loved her time at UW so far!