Six Funk-Busting Ideas to Bring More Life to Life

Mental auto-pilot might make life easier, but not always better.

Photo by Dimitar Belchev on Unsplash

I know I’m not alone in wanting to stay awake when it seems like the latest news about something less-than-awesome is trying to put me into a stupefied, fear-fueled funk.

My thoughts, constantly stream across the billboard of my mind, informing both my words and actions. They are the underlying code governing my emotional, physical, and social self. Because routines offer shortcuts to my heavily-taxed brain, I rely on these thought patterns to simplify my life. In short, I need some routines to keep myself sane. For example, if I don’t put my keys in the same place every day I frantically search pockets, countertops, and sometimes the cheese drawer to find them.

But, if I want to invite more joy, laughter, purpose, and meaning into my life I need to challenge these shortcuts and regular operating procedures. So here’s a few strategies I use to shake some life into my. . . you know, life.

1. See advocates, not adversaries

Each of us encounter tough situations, at work or at home. A call to the cable company, for instance, can be maddening. My brain is ready to do battle to get what I want. But, what if, instead of focusing on what I…