Getting out of a funk

[TxZen]

Ok, this year along I have:
1. Lost 2 family members
2. Resigned my job and ended a 22 year career
3. Hubby started his new job.
4. One new puppy.
5. Death of one kitten :(
6. Diagnosed with high BP due to said resigned job
7. Ended 2 friendships because I could not deal with the whining/crazy/me me me anymore.
8. Life outlook adjustment causing all I know to come crashing down after all events and now just coming out the other side.

And this is just the small list of things that have made me have a crazy year. I finally have been able to deal with all of this but boy oh boy, I am in some funk now. I am just cranky and want to be alone, if not around my little family. I have no desire to go out of my way for people right now and small talk is driving me up the wall, like nails on a chalkboard.

Talked with my doc, as we were reviewing my medication, and she thinks I am on the verge of a beautiful breakthrough and to keep working through all that is going on still. She said I am just at that point of being at the end of a funk. But dang..cranky pants right now!!! GRRRRRR

Please tell me how y'all get over a funk, especially after having dealt with a lot of major changes in such a short time. I have been walking, trying to eat better, even do a little meditating. We had the yard sale and I was able to sell about 2/3 of what I put out and that made me feel better. I just feel in the funk and it's sorta hazy but I see a little sun. And no not depressed, just off a little.

[JaneV2.0]

Years ago, when I was going through a series of worry-inducing events, I coped by walking far and fast. Sunlight (such as there is around here) and exercise seemed to do the trick. (Would rescuing an older cat be feasible? When one door closes...)

[TxZen]

Thanks Jane. I have an older cat and 2 dogs. But maybe I could go volunteer??? :) I will try to get outside more. It's still hot here in Texas, so I am lucky. I think with all the changes, I am just in a funky flux.

[awakenedsoul]

It sounds like perimenopause. The meditation is good. I like yoga and swimming, too. At your age, I had to deal with a lot of repressed emotion, mostly grief. If you can heal and release all the old guck, it makes space for the new...it also helps to have an artistic outlet or hobby. I like knitting clothes. I'm making baby stuff for my neighbor right now. It's really fun, and she's so appreciative.

[Zoe Girl]

Lots of good reasons for a funk. I let a couple relationships go and as necessary as it was I still find it hard at times when I have fewer social contacts. I felt it good to go on meet up and get some activities, although you said you didn't want small talk.

I would find a meditation group, it is totally fine to come and go without talking to anyone which is very refreshing. This also helps with the BP.

[Songbird]

You are obviously grieving your losses and it just takes time to reach a level of normalcy again. It took me several months to feel somewhat ok again after both my parents and beloved dogs died, and in that time period I was a real introvert. I didn't enjoy being social or small talk during that time either. I took that time just for me, my family and pets. That was the only place I put my energy for awhile and that's ok. I'm still not real social....

Do things that you enjoy doing. Light exercise is good and get all the sleep you need. I enjoy swimming - it really helps me to feel better both physically and mentally. An enjoyable hobby is helpful as well. Best wishes. :)

[TxZen]

I do think it's a combination of hormones (just hit 40) and all that has gone on. I now understand when they say your life gets tossed upside down and messed up, I get it!!! WOW!!!

[Teacher Terry]

Peri-menopause & menopause really screw with your emotions/mood, etc. I am so glad that I am done with that. I started at age 40 & fast walking for an hour really helped me. Losing parents & friendships is really hard as it is to lose an beloved animal friend. YOu will get thru it but the journey is not real fun:|(. Take Care!

[Dhiana]

When I get in a funk it helps me to feel better by accomplishing something. Anything that has a physical manifestation such as making a scarf, even as small as crocheting a flower can help.
Also finding a distant goal that I can look forward to can help me get through it.

[Gardenarian]

A good, happy movie and a bucket of popcorn works for me :)

[Xmac]

This is temporary and simplistic (Simple Living!Splat!) but if you've never had a massage, book one. If you're low on funds, try a massage school. The student massages are still well worth the time, especially if you've never had one.

[SteveinMN]

For me, getting out of a funk happens when I realize that 1) change is stressful (even good change, like a puppy); and 2) I'm making these changes because the end result is good for me.* It helps me to be able to take a step back, whether that means a multiple-hour trip to someplace peaceful or an afternoon listening to music I enjoy or tackling some physical project (building or deeply cleaning something) so that I have that achievement to look at. And to know that, while some of these events may pass or even end, there will be other changes coming and to reserve some of my energy for those.

* This raises the question of changes that are not chosen consciously, like the breakup of a relationship, but I'm a great believer that people call into their lives the circumstances that let them choose the path through or out.

[TxZen]

Thanks y'all. As you see, it's 1 in the morning and I am up. Going to spend the day relaxing, drinking lots of water, meditating and going slow today.

[ToomuchStuff]

Wow, a lot of Doctors on here saying funk is a woman only thing (menopause). I didn't realize funk was gender specific so the fact I have been fighting one, must mean something is going to fall off.:confused::0!

There are a lot of reasons for funk, and without visiting a doctor, you can't rule out physical. Emotional, one tends to know themselves (or one would hope). I've been working on mine, by just getting up and doing things when I wake up and trying to spend less time on the computer (being in one and sitting at the computer I tend to not want to get up and it self perpetuates). I find that works with physical ones for me, more then mental/emotional ones. It helps with the mental, because your mind focuses on other things for a while, instead of going over all the things that put you into it and sometimes that stepping back, makes you either see things differently (finds an understanding) or lessens them by time. (not focused and fading away)

My physical one, is because I have been working so much (hard to get time off with all the other employees injuries and surgeries). Mental has some to do with burn out from that, as well as some gal (ex and possible future one) issues.

[Teacher Terry]

Never heard of male menopause?:~) And no I don't think anything vital falls off.