It’s common to feel a bit out of sorts from time to time. Perhaps the pressures of your work and home life or money worries have mounted up, and the idea of getting organised starts to feel a bit too much. Sometimes life happens and our big plans get put on the back burner. 16% of UK adults have experienced moderate to severe symptoms of depression over Autumn 2022, largely due to the cost-of-living crisis, with similar feelings carrying on into 2023. Being disorganised can have an unfortunate effect on our mental health and lead to feeling sad, stressed and in a depressed mood. So here are some steps you can take to get out of a funk and get your life in order.
Create weekly meal plans
Eating healthy food is essential to keep well physically and mentally, which can be a great way of getting out of a funk! Meal planning not only curbs unplanned eating, which may lead to weight gain, but can also help you feel more in control of your spending. Make sure to include a range of healthy ingredients in your plan, such as oily fish (mackerel, salmon or sardines) for omega-3 and plenty of leafy greens such as kale, spinach and Swiss chard that are packed with vitamins. Sidenote: it’s important to also move your body and get exercise in.
Organise your room
Mess is bound to put you in a bad mood. One thing that always helps to feel a bit more in control is having all your personal belongings in an orderly fashion. Go through everything in your room, ensuring that areas such as shelves and dressing tables are neat and tidy. Shift through your drawers and wardrobes so you’re happy with all the items you own. Iron/steam, fold what you want to keep, and donate or sell the rest! You’re sure to feel like you’ve got your life together after.
Make a list of your monthly bills and payments
Money management is a big part of life and can feel overwhelming when juggling your finances. Money is one thing you want to keep organised and stay on top of. Work out how much cash you have left after bills to put into savings and what you can use as disposable income. It can also help you to gain valuable insights into how you spend. This is a surefire way to feel more in control and can also help you plan the month ahead.
Book things to look forward to
Having the same humdrum schedule is a definite way to put you in a funk. I’m a strong believer that booking fun things to look forward to is the way to feeling happier! From exciting days out, mini trips away to spending time with your loved ones, these are just some of the ways to bring a bit of joy into your life. I recently went to a candle-making class in London which was fun. Check Eventbrite for amazing events across the UK.
Have a daily schedule and set daily goals
The most important thing to keep on top are your daily goals. You can buy a cute daily planner or download fun apps to get your life in order. You can also set reminders on your phone to ensure you are always on the ball. Ticking off your daily list is a definite way to feel more in control! For tips on maintaining and bettering your mental health, click here.
Getting into a funk happens to the best of us. Ironically, even writing this article took me a long time as I just couldn’t get the time to perfect it. It can take a while to figure out what works best for you when it comes to feeling more in control, so I hope you’ve found this guide helpful. If you are suffering from anxiety or depression, remember it’s always important to get advice from a professional or medical doctor.
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Written by Eliza Allen
Illustrated by Francesca Mariama
