Unslumping Yourself: How are YOU?

As I sat staring at an empty page in my journal this morning, I was at a total blank. Like writer’s block, only for journaling. Journaler’s block. You all know the feeling. 

It’s a frustrating one, right? Especially when we’re in the habit of something. Take working out, for example. When you’re in a regular routine, you tend to feel stronger and healthier day after day. Getting your workout in feels easier as you get more used to it. Until it doesn’t. Until you hit those slumps where suddenly you feel like a complete weakling who can’t even lift your water bottle, let alone a weight. It’s discouraging to say the least. 

But frustratingly enough, it’s all normal (insert pause for appropriate eye roll.) Gah! Why is life like that?? Why do we hit plateaus when we’re working to build healthy habits in our lives? 

I’m sure there’s plenty of science behind why it’s normal, but I’ve never really been a science gal. And so, I’ll address it from a place that resonates for me. 

To me, plateaus are simply invitations to pause. Think of your body and mind as a car. It’s going to run really smoothly for a period of time, until it doesn’t. Now, that doesn’t mean it’s broken and won’t run smoothly again. It just means it’s time to pop the hood and take a bit of inventory. 

You’re no different. We can’t run smoothly forever without the occasional trip to the garage. And trying to just “push through” usually only leads to getting even more frustrated and ultimately breaking the good habit altogether.  

And so, this week I invite you to visit your own maintenance garage. Stop and take inventory. Get curious with your current self as you sit in this exact moment. 

Pay no attention to how you feel compared to how you used to feel. Or how you feel compared to how you want to feel. Just focus on how you feel right now.

Each time you sit down to journal, close your eyes for a minute or two and just do a quick scan. 

“How do I feel physically?” Maybe you just woke up and your neck is a bit kinked from sleeping funny. Maybe you’re a little bit hungry. Maybe you’re loving how cozy your sweatshirt feels against your arms. 

“How do I feel emotionally?” Maybe you’re journaling at night and the day’s played a number on your emotions today. Maybe you’re just pissed off for no clear reason. Hell, it happens. 

“How do I feel mentally…” 

You get the idea.

Now, I’m going to stop here and really emphasis something. As you get curious with yourself, do NOT ask the dreaded “why” question. Why isn’t this working? Why am I not getting stronger? Why can’t I stick to a routine??

It’s a dirty word that doesn’t serve you in this exercise. Instead, it puts you both in the interrogator’s seat as well as the defendant’s seat. Wash your mouth out with soap if it passes your lips. 

Instead, focus entirely on the now. How are you doing right now? 

Log in to get more specific journaling prompts around what this means, but in general, this week is about checking in with yourself in this moment. 

Enjoy!