Are you looking forward to getting back to a more normal routine, post-pandemic? Or are you a little anxious about what it’s going to feel like to be out and about again? Perhaps you are feeling a mixture of both anticipation and worry. It’s understandable to have some trepidation, especially if you had to make drastic changes over the past months, such as working entirely remotely or homeschooling your children. If you’ve experienced a loss recently, it can be especially hard to get back to what you once knew as normal. Presented by LoveLee Merch, here are a few tips for making big or little changes that can help you feel more positive about your life.
Adjust your body language.
It’s amazing the difference that things like posture and self-presentation can make. If you are feeling glum and are plagued by negative thoughts, you may slump in your seat, frown, and avoid looking at people. But postures and expressions that communicate negativity can also make you feel even worse about yourself. It can also send the wrong message to others, which could be a problem if you’re seeking social or career connections. So, sit up straight, hold your head high, smile, look people in the eye, and speak clearly, with confidence. And chances are acting as though you feel good about yourself will make you feel better.
Sign up for a gym membership.
Getting out to the gym again is not only a good choice if you’re worried about health and fitness. It also gives you a reason to get out of the house and interact with others again. Plus, working out and getting up a sweat will help your mood, since exercise releases certain brain chemicals, such as endorphins and adrenaline that make you feel happier and more confident. So when you go to the gym don’t worry too much about whether your body looks exactly the way you want it to look. Focus instead on getting active and reaping the benefits in the form of an immediate mood-boost.
Learn something new.
Do you feel like you’ve been stagnating, and your brain needs some new stimuli? It might help to sign up for a class and learn a new skill or study a new subject. You could look for online workshops and classes on a variety of topics from knitting to history to creative writing. Or, you could get serious and decide to go back to school to earn your MBA by enrolling in an online university. If there’s something you’ve always wished to do, but never gotten around to trying, now might be the chance to check it out.
Ditch a bad habit.
Maybe you picked up some not-so-healthy habits while you were in lockdown, or as a reaction to the stress of the past year. Or perhaps you’ve been struggling to ditch a bad habit for years. This might be your chance to finally make this healthy change in your life, especially since a change of scene and routine can be a great motivator.
Consider a career change.
If you’re just feeling bogged down and unmotivated, ask yourself whether you are unhappy or bored at work. If it’s possible and practical to switch careers, this could make a significant difference in your overall sense of well-being and set you up with exciting new goals to pursue. Check out online job boards to see what you might be qualified for and find interesting. You may need to polish up your resume before sending out job applications. A professional resume writer can help you customize your resume and highlight your achievements. You can find great freelance professionals on Upwork but do be sure to read their reviews before contracting with them.
Whatever you are feeling during this time, it helps to feel confident about yourself and your ability to achieve the goals you’ve set – or at least to learn a few tricks for faking it until you make it.
Written by Marjorie McMillian
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