When you’re not feeling like yourself

Very few things in the day-to-day can be as uncomfortable, even draining, as not feeling like yourself, especially when you’re typically the cheerleader. It’s a different kind of ache watching your inner light go off. The good news is that it is temporary. But in the meantime, what do you do?

I’m guilty of saying things like, “do the things you love when not feeling like yourself and you’ll come right back.” But I’m realizing that it takes a little more work than that. It takes awareness, it takes patience, it takes acceptance.

The circumstances and your surroundings can either help or intensify that feeling, so being aware of where you’re standing, what’s breaking you, and the place where you lost yourself is important because that’s part of the puzzle that’s going to help you find your way back.

Naturally, patience is a major piece of the puzzle because most times you can’t rush your mental state or certain situations. It may take some time. Understanding how your psychology works is not a cure, but it’s a sort of relief. You understand that feelings are fleeting. You’re gentler with yourself when you know that you’re in a vulnerable position.

And of course, we all need balance and boundaries. Allow yourself the time and space necessary to go back into the you that you love — or for your metamorphosis. Take care of yourself.

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