It happens to us all.
Those moments when everything seems great, life is good, and then wham…totally out of the blue everything starts falling apart.
Our sense of well being has been taken over by fiendish doubts, frustrations, things not going to plan and sometimes a a deep sense of the blues.
That’s been my state for this past week. It’s true I’ve been drugged up to the eyeballs after surgery, which is a great excuse. But I’ve found myself in slumps before without the aid of drugs or other ancillary helpers. And it doesn’t feel good, whatever the cause.
Truth be told it can be a pretty miserable state to be in but…like all feelings in life…it’s just a messenger. So if this is happening in your world right now, it’s telling you something loud and clear…it’s time to refresh and renew.
Which is why I want to remind you of four key things when you’re stuck in a slump.
1. Switch up your head space
Consciously choosing to reformat your head space isn’t the easiest thing in the world. But there are times when you just need to make sure you have space to maneuver. You need to be able to flip the switch and give yourself space to create, to renew your energy and motivation so you can realize the happiness you seek.
So I got right down to it. I found an App appropriately called Headspace. An App which teaches mindfulness techniques. I thought if it was good enough for Richard Branson, Fortune 500 Companies and whole football teams, it wasn’t going to do any harm. Plus there’s a free 10 day trial.
Currently I’m on day six and my head space is…well different. The racket that had been going on in my head is quieter and I’m back to living, learning and growing and accepting that discomfort and slumps are just a part of the magic of a life well lived and filled with growth.
2. Juggling Polarities
Life is full of polarities.
Polarities exist in our inner and outer worlds.
In the outer world for every up there’s a down, for every inner an outer and for every open a closed.
And we have within us polarities of energy.
We have powers and vulnerabilities. And living fully and richly is a balancing act between these two energies.
You need them both.
If you’re encountering difficulties, or wallowing in a slump it’s in some way a reflection of your internal processes. A disconnect from natures balance between power and vulnerability.
In order to understand this balance, so you can use it to your benefit, you need to be aware that your power affects the world around you and your vulnerability is how the world affects you.
Many people choose to focus their attention on power because it seems a stronger quality. But the truth is that…the magic of life can only be found when you embrace all your energies.
Whilst your power helps you accomplish goals and share your gifts and talents with the world, without your vulnerability the door to receiving success, fulfillment and happiness remains firmly closed.
By recognizing slumps as part of nature’s awesome feedback system and using it as an opportunity to stay in touch with your vulnerabilities you set yourself up for receiving success in life. You know what they say about lemons and lemonade.
3. Give up old stories
A slump is like any other obstacle. It gets in the way only if you let it. And every time you dwell on the stories of past slumps or experiences that didn’t go so well, you’re allowing the emotional baggage and energy from the past to be with you in the present.
Don’t keep punishing yourself with old tales of woe.
Too many people remember that they weren’t that good at school so now they believe their chances of success today must be limited. Or someone had a rotten childhood and clearly will never find lasting happiness.
I say rubbish!
You’ll never know what story is possible for you until you create it. Fill yourself with the inspiration of others, the adversities many have overcome and make up your mind that you can do the same.
You deserve to be happy, you deserve to live a life that excites you. Don’t let your stories make you forget that.
Remember polarities. Everything that has a beginning has an ending.
4. Don’t deal in the currency of regret
We might not have a rewind or reset button in life. But we do have something equally powerful.
You don’t have to lose your chance for a happy future because of what you did yesterday.
So rather than look back and regret, look back and visualize something different. Visualizing is the reset button of the universe. Much more powerful than anything man has ever made.
When you visualize something you trick your brain into thinking it has experienced it. Your subconscious mind believes everything you tell it…and it works in pictures and feelings.
So feel good about your imagined situation and help your mind support your new view of the world. Choosing a positive idea from something that sucked taps into nature’s power to make over an old regret.
Even if the only positive idea you can come up with is that every step you’ve taken, or every choice you made, prepared the way for this moment, or a moment yet to come, you’ll no longer be at the mercy of regret.
Remember, the saddest thing you can think is “If only.”
So that’s what I’ve discovered. Now it’s your turn. What never fails to make you feel better? What helps to boost your morale when you’ve hit a slump. We’d love to hear from you in the comments below. All ideas gratefully appreciated. Let’s encourage one another where and when we can.
Encourage one another.
Love Elle
xoxo
20 Comments
How interesting, we’re so often in synch, Elle. I’ve hit some challenges on my new health protocol and as you point out it’s easy to go into old stories and feel like healing is impossible. Thanks for this encouragement. It’s just what I needed.
I’m glad you’re feeling better too. I found I really had to carve time out after dental surgery. It takes time to heal, more than I realized, but after a few weeks I was fine.
It’s so true Sandra…we often seem to experience life in parallel ways. I’m glad you feel encouraged and I too am feeling encouraged by hearing your experiences of dental surgery. It’s those paradoxes of life energies no doubt…and acceptance of being right where I am does make it a whole lot easier. So thank you. 🙂
Such a helpful post. Elle. I like it in #3 when you say, “It gets in the way only if you let it.” So true. Like anything in life, it’s only a problem if we label it a problem. In truth, it’s just part of the norm – to be expected (and it will pass!)
Funny Debbie how often it comes down to the way we choose to view life. Perspective is everything. 🙂
Perfect timing Elle – I had a really ‘slump’-like weekend, with huge amounts of tiredness. I have the app Headspace and you’ve inspired me to get it out and take some action rather than feeling sorry for myself or getting deeper into the slump!
It’s hard to imagine you being in a slump Ellen…but since we’re all human…there we have it! How funny you should have Headspace…it’s making a huge difference in my energy field. That’s the only way I can describe it. I feel different each time I use it…here’s to Headspace clearing the way for success and happiness in greater amounts. 🙂
Elle this was so spot on for me and for many I am sure. I love it when you channel the universal energy and hit the nail on the head. Thank you for all you do.
Hi Sandy…how lovely to see you here. I’m happy that my words spoke to you…so many of us are familiar with the experience of slumps…either now or in the past…and having just moved out of one, it seemed a good idea to share what’s been going on in the hope it would hit the ‘nail on the head’ you speak of. Glad it did the trick for you. 🙂
So true Elle, seems we both had a challenging week and it is so easy to slump, especially when in my case I was blaming me and the doctor, discovered I have some forgiveness to do 🙂 Still do. Like to visualise a dream amd see the situation healing with ease. Sending you healing love ?
Sorry about your week Suzie. I’m seeing your smiling face filled with health and joy and just imagining that for you I can feel the energy of healing in my heart. Woohoo! 🙂
I love #4 – ‘Don’t deal in the currency of regret’ – such a powerful reminder! Regret is simply a word to describe living in the past – a past which no longer exists.
I wish more people would realise this and stop wasting their lives …
Thanks Elle
Hi Allanah, it’s such an easy thing to do isn’t it…getting caught up in old memories. If only we would stick with the ones that were happy and joyful our world would definitely be a better place. 🙂
Well done, Elle !
I know that when one is in a slump it can seem like it’s a long way out but these 4 tools and the comments left by your readers will make the road to happiness much quicker and easier. I particularly resonated with “don’t deal in the currency of regret” as I have always eschewed regret because if I hadn’t done what I did I wouldn’t be where I was and I usually can find beauty wherever I am . . . If you know what I mean. Thank you.
Write on, Elle !
As always Joseph you give us food for thought. You can always find beauty wherever you are is just an awesome sentiment. I’m with you on this one. 🙂
Thanks Elle! I’ve been in a slump lately and this is exactly what I needed to read! I especially like give up old stories. It’s hard for me to change and that’s exactly what I need to do! Thanks!
Hi Betsy…those old stories really like to stick around don’t they. But when you consider what they really are…just memories of things past that only have power because we can dredge them up into the present…they seem less formidable. The power is all yours to create new and better stories starting right now. 🙂
Another one of your beautiful and well written post. It is quite hard to move forward when you’re in a slump but these tools will definitely help. I can resonate well with #3 , I’m in the process of doing what you said. Thanks so much Elle, you are always a blessing.
Hello Noah, as always it’s great to hear from you and I’m happy the article resonated with you.:-)
Nice post ElleSommer…
How inspiring you wrote !!
I thing we should not suspend our hope in life.
Because Hope is another name of life…
Hi Pritam how lovely to have you join our conversation. I like your thoughtful words…thank you for taking the time to share your insights with us. 🙂