Day 9 - How To…

Welcome to day 9 of our 21 days of blogging journey! Today I wanted to talk about some practical things to help get your momentum back. With Covid and recent life events, I found myself in the worst funk I had ever been in. It was very hard for me to get out of bed and doing anything - mostly because I had nothing to do but also because I had loss a sense of momentum in my life. When things in our life shift it can be traumatic to the mind and body especially if it interrupts routine. I’m not saying it’s a dramatic trauma but it is confusing and altering to the body in a way. So, i’m going to share with you what helped me get back on my feet mentally, and emotionally!

1. Set an alarm - It’s very easy to just sleep your day away. But setting an alarm for a decent time in the morning will train your body to be awake. When I wasn’t setting any alarm I wouldn’t wake up until 1pm, which meant that later that night I wasn’t sleeping until 3 or 4am. And the cycle would just continue. Having this alarm sets the discipline of your day up and it puts a stop to the tendency to allow your somber feelings to keep you bound to the bed. This doesn’t mean you can’t take naps later, though!!!

2. Shower and Change - I am not much of a morning shower person. I genuinely prefer to shower before bed because it relaxes me. But, when I have taken the time to shower in the morning after I wake up, it’s really helped me feel ready for the day. It boosts my mood because now I feel motivated to care. Same thing with changing my clothes. I didn’t go and put on a full outfit, but I just made sure I wasn’t in my pj’s anymore. Being in pj’s all day will tempt you to dress how you feel. And if you’re already feeling bad, the clothes will just make it worse…trust me. Get up, shower, and change. Even if that’s all you do that day - it’s plenty.

3. Read and Journal - When I say read, I don’t just mean read your bible. I also mean read a book! Listen, I hate reading. Seriously. It can put me straight to sleep. But I found books that really interest me, which makes it easier and more desirable to read. Same thing with my bible. Sometimes it’s hard to read it so, I think of stories that interest me and I go and read about it. Reading doesn’t have to be a task or a burden. God wants you to delight in His word and have it on your heart. The word is truly the only thing that will set you free from your depression and somber seasons. So, it’s imperative to get that stuff in you so that you can drive out whatever doesn’t belong. And then, journal. Write to God, write to yourself. This is the best way to get everything out on paper. Talk out all your feelings, revelations, questions, fears, etc. And I promise you, God will meet you there and begin to set you free.

4. Get Out - I have a rule with myself (since I am currently not working or located near friends), that I have to go out once a day. Even if that’s just to stand on the front porch, I need to get out. It’s easy in hard seasons to be cooped up in the house in bed. Sometimes we don’t want to acknowledge the outside world but you need your vitamin D. And you need to get your body up and moving. Sometimes going out, for me, means picking up my cousin from school. Or, driving to my local coffee shop and sitting there. Or, going to Target and walking all the aisles. Whatever it is for you, just get out. You need fresh air and human interaction so that you can be encouraged that things won’t always be this way!

5. Do what you LOVE - This one is pretty self explanatory. During trying times it’s hard to find the motivation to do the things that once brought you so much joy. But, if you would just push past your feelings long enough, you’ll see that doing what you love helps in the healing process. For example, I love writing. Any kind of writing. I haven’t written in well over 8 or 9 months and now I try to write something atleast once a week. Obviously, i’m being double challenged right now because I get the opportunity to write everyday but it brings me joy. It’s aiding in the process of my healing because I love it. I love writing sermons and messages and all kinds of things. I don’t know what you love to do. It could be sports related, fashion related, arts related, etc. Whatever it is, don’t stop doing it. Let it be your safe place!

Anyway, I hope some of these things help whoever needs them. It wasn’t always a perfect day for me when I started implementing these things. I am very stubborn and don’t do what I don’t want to do. But I know in my heart that I want all that God has for me and I know that it doesn’t include the sad depressive cycle I was in. His plan includes freedom and life more abundantly. So, by setting up these steps in order to just help me get out of bed most days, I was able to show God that I was ready for Him to come in and do what only He could do. Do what you can and then let Him do the rest.

Dear Heavenly Father,

I thank you for a new week. I thank you for new opportunities to get up and try another day. Lord, if there is anyone struggling with depression, anxiety, fear, or just plain old sadness, I pray that you would be near to them. I pray that you would cover their mind and their heart as they navigate through these waters. Holy Spirit give them a fresh wind so that they can get up and not lose themselves. I pray for healing. I pray for restoration. And I pray for hope. Surround them with your love, for it casts out fear. Have your way. In Jesus name, Amen.