Many of my peers have been experiencing waves of unhappiness. You may be experiencing this as well and ask, “What is this feeling and why am I feeling this way?” We look around and see so many others in need and feel guilty for our feelings. We tell ourselves we should be grateful that we have jobs and friends and family to support us. However we can’t help or stop these feelings.
These emotions are confusing for two main reasons. First of all we have no clue what we are feeling or how to get over it. The band U2 put it best, “you’ve got stuck in a moment and now you can’t get out of it.” We just know something is not right. I have experienced these feelings several times during the last few years. I am sharing with you some advice I have received and tips that will hopefully help you through this time.
1. Talk to friends. Talking about it can help verbalize your feelings and shed light on any reoccurring patterns. Also friends can give advice on what may be the struggle.
2. Take each day one day at a time. A great deal of our energy is focused on what our next big step will be. Such focus on one thing can be daunting. Step back, take a deep breath and take time to smell the roses.
3. Understand what you can and cannot control. The majority of stressors in our life are uncontrollable. We cannot control whether someone will hire us. We can only do our best to convey our skills and qualifications. The rest is out of our control.
4. Selfish to Selfless. The best way to get out of a moment is to focus your energy toward someone or something else. Volunteer some of your free time to help someone else. Focusing your energy towards helping someone else can give you a vacation from your problems and you may be just what someone else needed.
5. Finish a project you’ve been working on. Completing something you’ve been putting off will give you a sense of completion. This will give you confidence to take on other tasks including the obstacles in front of you.
6. Change your surroundings or routines. Doing the same thing over and over, day in and day out can cause severe boredom in your life. Thus sometimes you need to shake things up! Take a different route to work. Instead of going straight home after work go out for dinner or coffee. Try a new restaurant. Look for local events to attend.
Please feel free to share any advice or tips you may have.
