In my last post, February Funk, I talked about how I was feeling meh.  I wanted to see if what I’ve been preaching (acts of kindness improve emotional and physical well-being) would help me shake my funk.

I immediately felt a lift by being kind to myself by giving myself a break.  Acknowledging that I wasn’t 100% and that was OK lifted a weight off my shoulders.  What I underestimated though, was the impact others’ kindness would have on me.  Speaking out got the kindness rolling in.

You’re not alone.

I think one of the hardest things when you’re feeling down is the loneliness.  When I feel “off” – whether it’s sick, sad, or even jetlagged, I have this debilitating habit of catastrophizing.  I jump to the conclusion that my current state is how I’m going to feel the rest of my life. 

When I posted about my February funk, I received numerous messages from people divulging that they were feeling the exact same way.  Immediately, I wasn’t alone.  It forced me to stop catastrophizing.   If others were going through the same thing, then it had to be something beyond just me.  I started focusing on why I was feeling so badly – possibly it’s the weather or mid-winter blues?  It began to feel more temporary and manageable.

Unexpected Kindness

Once I understood that others may be sharing the same headspace, I decided to be honest about how I was feeling to anyone who asked.  At my weekly work zoom meeting, we check in with each other the first few minutes since we don’t see each other in person.  (A benefit of working in the field of positive psychology.)  I mentioned my “funk;” my colleagues were supportive and sympathetic, sharing their own struggles with this time of year.

But I was pleasantly surprised when one colleague went out of her way to help me.  She took the time to email me after the meeting, shared her own experience and gave me links to her favorite trove of mood boosters.  This unexpected act of kindness gave me such a boost that it sparked me to reach out to a different colleague to spread my own kindness. 

“Kindness begins with the understanding that we all struggle.”

― Charles F. Glassman

I can’t say that I’ve completely shaken my funk, but I am making my way out of it.  And a big reason why is the boost I’ve gotten from acts of kindness.  So, I hope if you’re feeling the February funk, even if it’s in June, you’ll speak out and let others in.

Has kindness helped you out of a “funk”?