Monotony Survival Guide

This week I made a Monotony Survival Guide for myself.

It could also be called Reminders for Nervous System Freak Out or Cabin Fever. It is similar to the Invisible Loss Guide.

Obviously everyone's circumstances are different and being able to complain about monotony is a privilege. If you are an essential worker or you have little ones at home, you probably have different/bigger things on your mind and I bow to you.

All I know is I hit a personal low last week and I have now entered the Funk Zone. And not the good kind of funk.

I spent a couple of days there with no desire to ever leave. Then there was a crack of light and, little by little, I came back to some of my tools and practices.

For the day when I forget again, I made a list.


1. Take a drive
One of my favorite authors, Dr. Pinkola Estés, says one way to find ourselves is to "drive for an hour in any direction, destination unknown, then return." Change of scenery, a bit of normalcy, and just so I don't forget how. Can also be combined with #2.


2. Music
Like silence, music is a big part of my life. One of my cues that I'm in a wayward place is that I haven't listened to music in several days. I love how a beat or some lyrics can have an immediate emotional and physical effect. We know this to be true in our bodies and science agrees.

What really helped me last week was making this playlist of one of my all-time favorite artists, which took me right back to being maybe eight or nine, sitting on the floor behind the couch right in front of the four-foot speaker so I could sing more loudly. There's nothing like the anticipation in the scratchy wobble of the needle on a record.
(Is it weird that an eight year old's favorite song was number 5 on this list? Kind of explains a lot...)


3. Rearrange the furniture
I was super inspired by this IG post about repurposing things you already have, which led to flip-flopping my entire office around. Added bonus that I dusted and did some decluttering and purging in the process. It felt good to be physical in this way and totally shifted the energy in the room.


4. Volunteer
The upcoming election is enough to slap me out of my doldrums. Both spirituality and psychology agree that having purpose is one of the top predictors of life satisfaction. If you are looking to volunteer in the hope of a better November 4th,
here
are
several
ways (I mean, I'm assuming...)


5. Herbal support
The herbs I’m talking about are St. John’s wort, valerian root, passionflower, hawthorn (berries or flowers), skullcap and lemon balm -- all known to promote calm, relaxation and/or an elevated mood. You can use the dried herbs to make a tea and many of these can be taken as a tincture or syrup.


6. See people in the flesh
Distanced, safely, outside, of course. To see someone you love in three dimensions these days can feel like a miracle. Even if you aren't alone in your household, make a distanced date to see someone else. Sit safely apart and marvel at the nuance of body language, the hue of their skin, real-time of voice.


7. Get dressed
In a recent marketing course, the instructor suggested to "put on an outfit that makes you feel powerful" before starting work, even though you don't have to, at least not from the waist down. This has greatly boosted my mood as well as my productivity.


8. Get a new plant
I have a bit of a thing for house plants.... what's 3 more? They are touted as mood enhancers, air purifiers and stress relievers. Plus it gives me someone else to talk to.


9. Adopt or foster a pet
This is on my wish list. I have several friends who are fostering and it meets two of the goals already stated: purpose and someone else to talk to!


10. Of course
At the end of the day, it's not so much the monotony of what I'm doing, which honestly isn't that different than what I usually do. It's knowing -- or rather not knowing -- how much longer things will be this way. Feeling like many options for things I enjoy have been taken away (which isn't even true). It's feeling stuck, scared, sad, angry.  We are in for the long haul -- mood states will come and go. It’s unrealistic to think you won’t have a bummer day, get discouraged or feel down sometimes. For this, I say, of course.


I heard from many people that last week's post on Invisible Loss was helpful. One wise soul even printed out the list of reminders. Here it is in case you missed it.

As always, I'd love to hear about your experience. How are you doing? What's helping you stay sane? What's in your survival guide?

♥
Michelle

P.S. I'd love to see you in class tomorrow! We'll be cooling and relaxing.

Michelle Marlahan
Where Self Care becomes Soul Care

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