5 Ways to Stop Ennui

This week has been pretty tough. I definitely felt the changing of the season beginning and, with my job, the start of Q4. For those of you in an sales related field, you know what I’m referring to.

Monday was a full work day, Tuesday I got dog sick, Wednesday I didn’t even wear make up to work and by Thursday I was much better and back to my laughing self. However, something still lingers. I don’t know if it’s the Summer Blues or maybe the fact that I feel like I skipped September all together. It just feels a little… ennui.
There is so much happening in my life that I almost feel like I’m just walking through the motions these days. I want to pump the breaks just to breathe. So, I’m trying to carve out time for myself this week.

Behold, 5 Steps to being off-ui!

1) Take Time for Yourself: I know this seems silly but sometimes we all need to bast in our ennui time. I tend to watch a movie that makes me cry every time (Hope Floats, anyone?),  give myself a manicure/pedicure, watch Gilmore Girls, eat dessert and write in my journal.

2) Yoga: Truth Time. Yoga makes me feel better every single time. I’ve been practicing for quite a long time now. When I first started my mind would race about my class schedule, what I needed to pack for my weekend trip or how much laundry I have to do. Now, when I step into a studio I give myself that hour and a half to focus on my body. I listen to how it feels, to how I feel mentally and without fail, I feels refreshed and often ready for bed (if it’s a PM class).

3) Volunteer: I’m in an organization that focus’ on women in the Seattle Community. The committee within the organization that I’m apart of helps keep children active and educates families on the health hazards of child obesity in the city. Every month I get to volunteer at one of the Boys and Girls club and I help to keep those kids active. I get to jump rope with them, skip across a gym floor, anything old school PE related and it’s wonderful. It’s wonderful being able to put a smile on someone else’s face and it’s a great reminder of how fortunate my life is.

4) Friends and Family: I have three girls friends in this city that know how to make me laugh so hard I snort. Without fail, if I’m with one of these gal pals I’m on the floor laughing my butt off. Whether we’re watching an episode of Sex and the City, out shopping or getting drinks, these girls knock me right off my ennui.

5) Church: Whether your church is nature, yoga or God, find time for it. Sometimes you just need a reminder of what to be thankful for or you just need a safe place where you can breath. A girlfriend of mine said “Seattle is my home but the outskirts is my church”. She’s happiest and most free in nature. Sometimes we really need to get away in order to come back as a whole.

So there you are! I’m going to go volunteer today and take a yoga class later.

In no time, You’ll be off-ui!