Even in these days as higher consciousness is readily available and known by many of us, we may still experience a funk. What is a funk? It’s an inner thing, mental state that something is “off” or just not right. Usually it involves another person or a situation where resolution is not easily translated or understood. As a result one must explore the darker emotions of life: uncertainty, confusion, discontent, angst, sadness. These are not enemies to be conquered, but experiences to be understood. In the understanding and allowing then nuggets/realization create opportunities for growth and expansion. If we bottle up these feelings and suppress them, then we miss out the on the teachings they carry.
Not a Comfortable Place, yet….
Being in a funk is not comfortable and it takes patience to allow it to run its course. It may be that communication with another will result and the right words are paramount. Sometimes it may not involve another person and requires one to make a change internally. At other times new perspective needs to be created. In any case, time is involved, because a funk can linger until resolution is known.
What to do when the funk continues for days?
Certain life style practices can bring aid and comfort during these times. Setting up rituals to become a normal routine can serve when all just doesn’t seem to be going well. Rare is the person that doesn’t experience the thorn of the rose at times. This prick is another way to wake up, to grow, to expand. Growth is not always painful, but at times it is.
Be curios, explore.
In this state of curiosity; sage advice, wisdom for the moment and hope often appear. You find just the right passage in a book for example. You experience a miracle in nature. As a result your heart is encouraged and uplifted.
The baby bird
My aunt experienced such a few days ago. A baby bird had fallen or was pushed from its nest. The little bluejay’s eyes were still shut and her mouth moved with expectation for a morsel of food. With the hot sun was beaming on her with full intensity, my aunt moved her into the nearby undergrowth and wished her well, knowing that her future may be bleak. After being gone for a few days, my aunt looked to see if she could see the chicks remains. Nothing. A few hours a baby bluejay flew right in front of her and landed above her head on a tree branch. She wondered and then she knew, the baby was ok. Even if this wasn’t the one, she had a sense of peace that all was as it should be and this little bird assured her thus so.
Nature has a way of showing us the resilience that resides in all, no matter what.
What I do
Regarding the funk times, I follow intuitive steps to let emotions and feelings pass through me, less they get stuck. Getting stuck is where the harm lies. Allowance is the key and time is the factor.
These are my practices
1. Maintain focus. Let my mind be filled with good things, true and entertaining ones as well.
2. Take time for quiet, just to be. Walk in the woods, the neighborhood. Work in the yard. Build a fire. Watch the clouds. Do some mundane projects while listening to enlightening, instrumental music. All of these are meditative experiences. They free my mind from chatter.
3. Write in my journal. I find this especially helpful when I can’t sleep. It helps get things off of my mind and on to the page where I can express them with more clarity.
4. Ask my higher self questions. What am I to know in this moment? What would a wiser version of myself tell me? I proceed to write answers. Then I ask more questions. Listen and write. I learned this from Julia Cameron, The Artist's Way.
5. Movement and drumming. Free dancing to spiritual music and then drum.
6. Create. I have several outlets. I am learning them both: acrylic abstract art and jewelry creations. Both offer varying degrees of therapy and sometimes some pleasant outcomes.
7. Study. I love to study, right now I am taking a Wild Foraging Herbal Medicine class.
8. Read. I love to read and usually am working though a couple of books at the time. Now: The Women of Lemuria, Ancient Wisdom for Modern Times; Kryon,Muranyi, & Wolf. The Wizard of Uz; Jean Houston.
9. Some of my all time favorite things to do is spend time with my grandchildren. I did that all last weekend. It’s addictive and it leaves me wanting more. I also enjoy having a home brew with my husband and doing nothing but sitting and sipping.
10. Read inspiring blogs. Recently a young woman completed a verbal fast and as a result learned a lot about herself and relationships. Check it out: Speaking in Silence
When the funk comes my friend, don’t fret too much. Funk is not unnatural, however remaining in it is. Set up your own practices that support YOU and follow through with them. Be well and live well my friend, through all things.
Julia Parsell is a Certified Holistic Health Counselor with an emphasis on the intersection of science and the sacred. She writes from experiences and transformative understandings that have led her to an authentic and peaceful life. She goes by these names: wife, grandmother, mother, daughter, sister, aunt, niece, cousin, and friend. As home educator of her three children, she also developed/ran cafes, and maintained various leadership roles within her community. Her greatest desire is to encourage others to live life fully. Her passions are family, writing, and trail blazing. She is happily married in Western North Carolina. Please visit her blog here.
