Isn’t the first week of January supposed to be the week when you’re most geared up to rock the year? You should be clear on exactly what you need to do to have your best year ever, right?
Well, I don’t feel like that at all right now. On the contrary, I feel like this:
I spent a lot of time in December reflecting so I could have clarity for 2022 and yet, everything is foggy. Well, maybe not everything — but when one area of your life or business feels foggy it can make life seem blurry overall.
Upon deeper reflection, I realized this is not the only January I’ve had this experience.
A friend of mine referred to it as the post-holiday slump, which suggests this could be a thing. And that means you may be feeling the same way too.
This haziness creeps up on us and makes us feel disoriented and discouraged. But it is in these moments that we have to focus on what we can control. Here is how I’m dealing with this new year slump. If you’re going through a similar situation, I hope this can serve you too.
Talk about it.
Sometimes we just need to vent and get it out. Talking about our problem, confusion, issue, or frustration helps us acknowledge it and release it. Call someone who helps you process. If you have a coach, book a session. If you have a community or mastermind, reach out to them. They don’t have to have the perfect answer or solution. Just the exercise of verbalizing what you’re feeling can help you get the clarity you need. Writing is also extremely therapeutic, so if you’re not comfortable sharing out loud, then pour your thoughts onto paper.
Take on a Challenge.
Challenges change your energy. There are all sorts of challenges for exercise, meditation, writing, productivity, cooking, etc and you can find free ones as well as paid ones. On Sunday I start my 5-day Fasting Challenge. I’m particularly excited about it because one of the benefits of fasting is reducing mental fog. Food can cloud our thinking and I indulged more than usual during the holiday season. I’m hoping the fast gives me the clarity I need right now. Decide a challenge you want to do and take it on. They’re short-term; they give you a boost, and they create a domino effect in other areas of your life.
Go for a Walk.
Some people avoid walking because they don’t want to exercise; some avoid it because they don’t think it’s enough exercise!
But walking is as good for the mind as it is for the body.
In Eric Barker’s blog post, he discussed a study that revealed, “Walking opens up the free flow of ideas, and it is a simple and robust solution to the goals of increasing creativity and increasing physical activity.”
Moving your body helps you get unstuck just like talking and writing. That’s why most of my coaching sessions are walking sessions.
Even if you’ve already done a workout for the day, get up and walk around. Go outside and change the scenery. It helps.
Trust the process.
My wise friend, Betsy, was counseling a friend once who lacked clarity. “Imagine you’re driving on a mountain in the pitch dark. The only light is coming from your car’s headlights. Headlights don’t illuminate the whole path,” she shared. “They just allow you to see enough to keep moving forward and have faith that you will not fall off the edge.”
When faced with a difficult situation, a decision, or something that requires action — we all want clarity, certainty, and confirmation that we’re making the right call. But sometimes all we get is 2 small headlights that illuminate just enough to keep us moving forward.
Even in the picture I shared above, the path is foggy, but at least I see the road.
It’s in moments like these that you have to trust that you can see just enough not to fall off the edge. Trust that life is rigged in your favor. Even though you may be in a slump right now, there are better days ahead.
I’m taking my advice today ?.
