New Month and New Beginnings

Happy May! We’re almost halfway through the year of 2011, can you believe that?

It’s a brand new month and I’m starting a brand new schedule.  Well, it’s not really new, I just haven’t seen it for a while.  I fell into a slump and it took me quite a while to realize I was in a slump and to know that I needed to make some changes.

Then once I fully realized I was in the slump, I needed to whine about it for a bit (poor Scott!) before I put my foot down to turn it around.

What is a slump? A slump is when you feel like you’re in a rut.  You’re not happy. You’re not satisfied with life and you tend to feel cranky and crabby about the situation.  It starts to take over your life. Maybe you’ve experienced some of these symptoms:

  • You get bored with working out.
  • You get more annoyed with your coworkers.
  • You get frustrated easily and maybe you’re fidgety.
  • You can’t sit still yet you don’t want to do anything because nothing sounds appealing.

This is a slump and it happens to all of us!

My slump probably started last winter?  Goodness I hope it wasn’t longer than that or else I’ve really been dragging!  I was coming off a blah summer running season and winter didn’t shape up to be any better. The weather was a little ridiculous keeping me inside most of the time.  I thought spring would turn things around but so far the spring has been the same way!

It was messing with me a lot.  I stopped getting up early in the mornings.  Since I couldn’t run, what was the point? I could just do my workout later in the day.

For me this was a huge mistake.

I hate doing workouts later in the day.  Hate it.  However, I will do a workout later if that’s the only time I have to get it done, I just prefer to get my workout finished in the mornings.  It makes my day go a lot smoother.  I get up early in the morning, workout, have a steamy shower and then relax with breakfast and coffee.

If I don’t do that, I feel like my morning is rushed and cramped.

Adding on that I have school work, school meetings, and business related meetings my days were not only feeling rushed but disjointed because I didn’t start off with a mind clearing workout.

A morning workout gets me ready for the rest of the day.  It sets me up to be productive!  Why? Because if I just got a great workout in before 7am, I can handle anything the day wants to throw at me.

I also feel secure in knowing that the workout is done and I can focus on other things.  If I don’t do it in the morning, then my entire day is consumed by me trying to plan to fit it in.

That does not make for a productive day!

I was getting cranky and I was getting whiny.

These are not traits I like in a person, most especially myself.  Once I realized what was going on, it was time to make a change! Only I can change things, there’s no sitting around waiting for someone to tell me to make the change.  I had to acknowledge that action needed taken and then I had to make a pledge to myself to make it happen.

Last week I decided that with this new month I was going to get back on track.  I have a lot going on right now and the best way to tackle them is to have a plan.  Three areas I need to focus on right now are: Working Out, School, and Building A Business.  Here’s how I’m going to get back on track:

  • Getting up early in the mornings again.  Even if I’m super tired! I can’t use that as an excuse any longer.  Stuff needs to get done.  I can’t do them if I’m sleeping away.  Realizing how much sleeping-in caused my day to feel unproductive, I know I have to do the exact opposite.  Back to setting the alarm and making sure I’m in bed by 9pm each night.
  • Working out first thing (unless I absolutely cannot because of a schedule conflict. It must be unavoidable though!) in the morning. Getting that done so I can feel productive right off the bat.  Getting my running routine back in shape and start building up those miles again!
  • Reading is crucial for me. Making sure that I get at least a half hour of reading in before going to sleep. This is “me time” and helps to relax me and get me ready for bed.  No more reading when super tired. It doesn’t help me relax and then I can’t remember what I read!
  • Planning out my week to get work accomplished.  Labeling each day either a school day or a work day.  School days are for completing that week’s classes and homework.  Work days are for working on blog posts, getting things done for the new business, and possible work meetings. Some days may be a mixture but I will stay focused.
  • Taking a day to focus on the house and getting housework done.  Laundry, cleaning, and prepping for meals.
  • Keeping a current To-Do List. This way I don’t forget things and know exactly what I have to do for each day.
  • Keeping a “Did It” list. Where I write down everything I did as I complete it. This helps me know how much I’ve accomplished in a day. It also keeps me organized in knowing on what day something got done. Handy if you need to keep an account of something!

Right now these are the steps I’m going to take to get out of my slump and get back on track! So far things are looking good. I got up this morning even though I didn’t have a very good night sleep and felt super tired. I also worked out right away and I was able to enjoy my breakfast and morning coffee a lot more. I’ve gotten some things accomplished already and checked off my to-do list.

How about you, have you ever been in a slump or rut before? How did you cope with it?

6 thoughts on “New Month and New Beginnings

  1. Had been in a slump for a month. Too much to do and not enough time. This week I am trying to change that. Good luck on the run Saturday. My plan for my run is to start and finish!!

  2. I’m definitely ready to de-slumpify myself, too! Last summer I’d get up to be at the gym by 6:30 AM- now I’m dragging myself out of bed anytime between 7:30 and 8:00 so I can log in for work. Exercise is sporadic.

    But it’s a new month with hopefully more sunny days for bike riding at lunchtime, plus more opportunities to get out and garden. I’m also renewing my membership at the dance studio because class is awesome!

    You’ve inspired me to actually take time today and formulate an actual plan to get my butt in gear instead of just drifting from one thing to the next. Now just to follow through…LOL.

  3. Heidi G says:

    I’ve also been in a slump for the past few months. This post is perfectly timed for me. It’s inspiring to see how you’re dealing with the slump and working to get out of it. I need a plan to get out of mine also. Thank you!

  4. Love this post. Kick in the pants – exactly what I needed.

    This weather is what takes my energy. The endless gray days bring me down terribly. I just want to lie in bed.

  5. This hits home to me ! Just too much ‘health’ crap going on in my family…my mom, my husband, etc. We hadn’t had a full night sleep in 3 weeks. Talk about being messed up. Trying to go to bed earlier and get up earlier. I got up at noon today. I got to get my days more into schedules, this year is just flying by me. I can’t believe that it is May ! Thanks for writing such a great post !! :)

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