How to Get Out of a Funk
Written by Hannah Sazon
As midterm season rolls around, I know how easy it can be to get stuck in a funk, especially when your plate is as full as mine. Juggling classes, a job, and multiple leadership positions doesn’t make it easier. I’ve had nights where I’m staying up at ungodly hours to cram for an exam or sometimes sitting on the third floor of Morris Library, just staring at my MacBook. It’s not always about studying, though, as there are times I hit creative burnout from making graphics for AAPC or choreographing for my dance team. It’s exhausting, but over the years, I’ve found ways to reset, recharge, and maintain some balance during this busy season, and I’m happy to share them!
1. Getting a sweet treat or beverage
One thing I will never say no to is a quick visit to the pod, or even a Wawa run. However, nothing beats a trip with friends to Main Street for Mango Mango or Comma Cafe (if time allows, of course). When I start to feel overwhelmed, a small reward like that helps get me back on track.
2. A Change of Scenery
When I sit in the same spot for too long, everything starts to blur together. After a while, it doesn’t even feel like I’m studying anymore, just reading my screen, hoping something sticks. So I switch it up and move. Sometimes that just means moving to another room or even moving to a different chair. It sounds small, but it helps refresh my brain.
3. Cleaning & Organizing
This might sound random, but cleaning my room or organizing my life helps get me back into a productive mindset. There’s something about putting my energy into something small and manageable that helps me reset. Whether it’s just straightening up my desk, vacuuming, or even reorganizing my Google calendar, it gives me a sense of control, which is exactly what I need when studying starts to feel pointless.
4. As Meredith Grey and Christina Yang say: “Dance it out.”
As silly as it seems, dancing, or honestly moving in general, makes me feel rejuvenated. I’m not out here busting out into a full dance routine in public, but learning a TikTok dance or going to Core Team practice is like a little escape for me. Even when I’m just in my room alone, putting on a song instantly lifts my mood.
5. Doomscrolling
Lastly, I wouldn’t be true to myself without recommending a quick scroll break on TikTok or Instagram. Zoning out for a few minutes and laughing at something random is exactly what I need to reset. Just be careful, because that “quick break” can accidentally turn into an hour or two. But when I actually keep it short, I return to whatever I was supposed to be doing, ready to focus again.
At the end of the day, shifting my focus onto something completely different from my work is really what helps me get out of a funk. No matter how busy I get, I am always thankful for the opportunities to step away from the stress for a bit. Whether that’s grabbing a snack, moving to a different spot, tidying up, dancing, or scrolling for a few minutes, these small breaks give me back the energy I was missing. Life can get really hectic, and everyone needs their own ways of resetting, so I hope some of my suggestions can help you find yours. Stay healthy and take care of yourselves this season!
Follow us on Instagram!
