Let’s face it, this pandemic’s been a huge challenge for everyone. From Yoyo-ing Covid restrictions to workplaces turned upside down, the landscapes of our lives have taken on a metamorphosis that we never saw coming and it’s having long-tail effects worldwide!
I’ve personally heard colleagues, clients and friends all share that they’re living in a state of uncertainty these days, with little motivation or desire. Of course, they still take pride in their work, but they’re kind of flat - not depressed, but feeling low.
I’ve gotta admit, I’ve been feeling it too, watching extra episodes on Netflix before bed, creeping in after midnight when I’m usually asleep by 9:30 pm. Yes, I’m a grandpa with my sleep J
It’s totally draining our energy & optimism leaving us with a feeling of ‘blah’.
Lucky for us, organisational Psychologist Adam Grant has named this feeling, calling it ‘languishing’. He says: Languishing is a sense of stagnation and emptiness. It feels as if you’re muddling through your days, looking at your life through a foggy windshield. It’s the absence of wellbeing. The void between depression and flourishing.
So, what can you do to shake the blahs?... Here are 4 hints to get you started:
1. Practice emotional agility. Be curious and compassionate, recognise what you’re feeling by naming the emotions. We’re constantly telling our kids to ‘use their words' when they have trouble expressing themselves. Trigger the brain’s thinking centre instead of the emotional.
2. Choose how you want to respond. Look at the values you live by every day to determine your actions. With so many choices we face daily, try to make yours positive, joyful & powerful.
3. Determine your goals. Make them clear and dedicate time to work on them. Fight the languishing with flow and progress - schedule this time to really make a shift towards success.
Remember, start small and gain momentum. Manage the difficulty and fear through small wins. It’s amazing how progress can make us feel even with the little successes.
Life’s good.
Cheers, Clint
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