Have you ever planned an amazing trip, or taken a fun and relaxing vacation, but came home sad and a feeling a little disconnected (not in a good way)?
After my month long trip to Europe, back in February, I felt lost, unmotivated, and just in a daze of random sadness and lack of motivation.
I call it Post Travel Fog. It’s a form of depression, but to me, was just a 2 week adjustment period. It didn’t seem all that extreme until 3 months later I did some reflection and realized I was I was still struggling with it. The crying and longing for Europe had passed but the drive, energy and general happiness I always tend to have hadn’t come back to me yet.
Can you relate?
I gave up 3 months of my life, working toward my goals, and feeling in flow all for what? Missing being on the go…? Plus quarantine hit so there was no going anywhere to really help me step outside of my hometown.
Once I finally got tired of living my life on pause, I got to work rediscovering myself!
This included getting creative, in the literal and figural sense.
If you are home from a trip or still stuck at home due to COVID here are some thing you can try:
Try being artsy!
I love painting, so I started exploring how to watercolor paint.
I also wanted to document my travels via cross stitch, so I drew out some patterns, and got to work.
Get outside!
I started the Couch to 5k app and started my running journey. It didn’t last very long because here in Alabama it gets HOT at the crack of dawn.
Then I switched to yoga. Yoga helps me connect to myself, inspires grace, and gives me a boost of confidence. There are tons of free videos online, apps both paid and free, and subscriptions you can check out!
Track it!
The best way I’ve found to pull myself out of a fog is for me to track it! LOL Yes, I know it sounds lame. Your girl right here loves a good spreadsheet, habit tracker, or planner. Whatever your cup of tea is, lay out your goals and what habits you want to get back to and start tracking.
Trust me getting to color in a square or check off a circle is not only therapeutic, but it gives you evidence of growth, and builds momentum to tackle bigger and better things. Talk about getting that drive back, you know the one that you’ve been missing…
Schedule it!
As you set out to conquer new habits and goals, don’t forget to schedule it a calendar or weekly planner. Have a set plan for what activities you’re going to do each day of the week, eliminates decision exhaustion, ie you are more inclined to do what you’ve already decided to do.
You’ll be less likely to talk yourself out of it if you aren’t deciding what to do in that moment. If you want to start being active 3 days a week, set the days you want to work out or go for a walk. Then, make sure and set WHAT activity you’re going to do those days.
For me, one day I’ll do a tabata workout, the next day I’ll do yoga, and maybe the next day I’ll go for a long walk. Note: Mixing it up also minimizes burnout here!
If you are ready to SHIFT out of the weird vibe you’ve been sitting in, take it from me, you CAN! You just have to start small, turn off netflix and read a book or go for a walk instead. Then try some of these ideas and get those juices flowing! I can’t wait to see you feeling like your badass high vibin self again!
Share with me in comments what you’re going to focus on first!
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