I’m an introvert and an internal processor & lately my processor has been on overload. Why?
I’m in a funk.
You see, there’s a situation going on in my life right now that I cannot write about here because it’s not my story to tell but it affects me deeply. To the core.
What do you do when it’s not your story to tell? You keep your mouth shut & pray.
Just because I’m keeping my mouth shut doesn’t mean my mind shuts off, it’s basically following me around like a Pig Pen cloud of dust, you know, like Charlie Brown’s friend that’s constantly surrounded by a cloud of dust. That’s how I feel. My internal processor has exploded in a cloud of dust.
My husband & family & close friends are helping me sort through the dust cloud but there are a few things that I’m doing that have been helpful.
In no particular order, here’s how an internal processor like me deals with a funk:
Work.
Some of you may be confused about my “Work”. Caroline works? I am a Virtual Assistant.
Read.
– I finished the Harry Potter series & loved them. I may have even read a few passages out loud, using my best British accent.
– Notes from a Blue Bike by Tsh Oxenreider – it arrived on my doorstep a few days ago & it’s helping clear the dust cloud.
– The Antelope in the Living Room by Melanie Shankle – a book about marriage with some comic relief that should be arriving on my doorstep later today.
– all of the posts written by the Uganda Compassion Bloggers – please take some time to read them today. {top left photo by Emily, the rest taken by Mike & found here}
– daily devotional written by Billy Graham – short, sweet & to the point. Just what I need right now.
Watch.
American Idol. The combination of Keith, JLo & Harry make me happy.
Counting the days until May 5. #JackisBack
Write.
Mostly in my journal lately & that’s completely ok & therapeutic for me. Some days it’s only a few lines and other days it’s a few pages.
Knit.
When it’s cold outside, I knit. I haven’t picked up my knitting needles in over a year but on Super Bowl Sunday, I decided to give it a try again. I have a bag full of yarn just waiting to be created into something. My hexipuff making days have stalled out for now & I needed to train my brain again to knit & purl.
Exercise.
Those of you that know me well, know that this is hard for me. At the beginning of the year, 2 of my local friends encouraged me to get back into the gym & we started going to classes again. The first day I pulled a butt muscle during warm up exercises. I’m not joking. Lame, right? I went to a few more classes that week and didn’t push myself too hard. Then, the next week, I got sick. Maybe my body was trying to tell me something? Exercising makes me sick? No! If there’s one way to make the dust cloud easier to navigate through, it’s exercising.
Laugh.
My husband & kids are extremely helpful in this area. Watching them laugh is seriously contagious. Also, remembering that I pulled a butt muscle during warm up exercises makes me laugh too.
Music.
I shared our latest playlist with you earlier this week.
Shop.
I never thought this was true about me but Greg pointed it out and I have denied it for a while – shopping is therapy for me. Sometimes it’s just window shopping & sometimes that window shopping turns into a little item getting placed in my cart or arriving on my doorstep. {here are some of my online favorites!}.
List.
Before I shut my computer down at night, I grab a sticky note and write down my list of to-dos for the next day & put the sticky note on my desk beside my computer. Before I open my computer the next day, there’s my list reminding what’s most important to get done today.
Outside.
Even when the temperatures are below freezing & the ground is covered with a blanket of snow. Dress warmly & get outside, even if it’s just for a few minutes.
Nourish.
Eat and drink healthy things. Simple as that but this can be a struggle because the funk in me wants to eat Lays potato chips as the main course! I fight the funk with fresh fruits & veggies with a side of Lays. Much better, right?
What helps you clear the dust cloud & fight the funk?
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Ali says
Great post — and a good reminder that we ALL get in a funk. And, remembering your laugh makes me smile and laugh — and that is very good!
caroline says
miss you dweeb! 😉 xoxo
Tracey says
Exercise makes me sick too! KIDDING. I can’t wait to read Big Mama’s new book. p.s. I had to delete my website info to get this to post. #notaspammer #iswear #youknowme
caroline says
wish we could ‘not’ exercise together. and i’m so confused with the comments thing but glad you made it through 🙂
Elizabeth says
Hello, from a fellow introvert!
Your description of being in a funk being like Pigpen is so right on the mark.
I have many of the same books on my wishlist to read.
This is my first time here. I found your site from your comment on Life in Grace’s fb page.
Elizabeth recently posted..How Fun! Vol. 11
caroline says
hi Elizabeth! thanks for stopping by 🙂
Teresa says
I can definitely relate to the funk. I also know that most of your strategies work, if I let them – because been there done that. This year the funk seems to be lasting longer. I think a nice dose of spring would do wonders. Monday, after a January that was filled with the junk going around, followed by gout, I am finally going back to the gym. I found you via the Nester.
caroline says
my goal is to get back into the gym on Monday too! thanks for stopping by & saying hi!
Dana at Happy Little Lovelies says
So one day, let’s really make that coffee date happen ok? I’ve been in a winter funk and everything on your list I know to be true. I need to laugh, I need fresh air, I need exercise, I need to process, I need fun and I need Jesus. But you reminded me of how much I miss journaling! I journal out loud to a very patient friend, but that might get really old for her so thanks for saying that. I used to do it all the time and loooved it. Yay for cheap therapy. 🙂
Dana at Happy Little Lovelies recently posted..Five things on Friday
caroline says
dana! lovely to see you & yes, the next time i’m in the Charlotte area, we need to get together!
being stepmom says
Hang in there! Although it’s impossible to say I know exactly how you feel, I’m going through something that’s not my story to tell and so I can sympathize. Keep doing what you’re doing! Praying for you! Xoxo
being stepmom recently posted..Five Minute Friday: Just Write
caroline says
thank you for the prayers! it helps to fight the funk & the dust cloud when you know others are right there with ya!
kimmie says
This is the first time I’ve visited. Thank you for this post! I know I’m just suffering from the average “winter in Indiana” funk but I love your list!!! Hope and pray your “situation” gets better soon and you can leave your Pigpen dust behind!!
caroline says
kimmie – thank you so much for stopping by! this has been a ridiculous winter, huh? this winter ‘season’ has been refining, which will make Spring so much more sweet.
kimmie says
Scary when a 50 degree day sounds good….LOL
Button Bird Designs says
I love this and YOU Caroline!!! I always get in such a funk in January and February, this is a great reminder of ways to shake it until spring gets here!! Thinking of you and praying for your dear friend.
xoxoxo
Angela
Button Bird Designs recently posted..my job
caroline says
angela!! why are the states of NC & IL so far apart?? love & miss you! xoxo
heather m says
Hi Caroline! I just found your blog via Angela’s above and I’m smitten : ) Your post is dead on!… I’m fighting the funk here in snowy VA but I know some people in the mid-west have it way worse. Thanks for the encouragement!
caroline says
heather! thank you for stopping by! angela is the best, isn’t she? hang in there…spring will come! eventually 😉