Those days when you're just not feeling it

Do you ever have those days where you're really not feeling like yourself? Where things that normally wouldn't bother you at all (and really shouldn't bother you) really get under your skin? Today was one of those days for me. What's even worse is I have no idea why. Why did such a small issue at work almost bring me to tears? Why did I really not feel like working out, even though that is usually one of the biggest stress relievers for me? Why do those days happen? What in my life is causing me to feel this way? These are the questions I'm actually starting to ask myself since I've begun this spiritual journey; since I've started trying to be mindful in all things. There is a reason for everything you feel and everything you go through. It's important to not simply brush the feelings away and say, "well, hopefully I'll feel better tomorrow. It's probably just hormones" (or whatever it is you may tell yourself). In order to move past the underlying issue, you have to sit in that sadness, anger, frustration, annoyance...whatever it is you're feeling. Really sit into it; recognize the feeling. What may have happened to you in the past to cause you to feel this way in this moment? I find that it is usually pretty difficult for me to identify what the underlying issue is, but even so, sitting into whatever I'm feeling really helps me move past it. It helps me realize that what I'm feeling is totally normal. It may not feel normal in the moment. You're probably thinking, "Why?! Why is the universe treating me this way today?!". It's probably because the universe is trying to tell you to take a step back, analyze your life and the scenario you're in, take a deep breath, and move past it.

When I started feeling this way this morning, I thought about trying to find a new podcast that would allow me to expand and grow in my spiritual journey. I wondered if the local church I once attended (the one I actually enjoyed) happened to record their sermons for podcasts. Wouldn't ya know...they do! Now what's odd about this is I started scrolling through the available episodes and just randomly clicked on one. It was the beginning of a series called "Different". Very shortly into the sermon, the pastor started talking about the exact scenario that I was experiencing. About finding yourself in a "mood" and having absolutely no idea how you got there. How odd is that? That the sermon I randomly clicked on directly correlated to what I was feeling in that moment? I don't think that's something that just happens; I think the universe put this sermon in my life for a pretty obvious reason.

The pastor went on to say that if you're feeling down, stressed, drained, sad, angry...whatever it is...take a look at what your intake is versus your outtake or output. What are you bringing into your mind/body/soul that is intended to combat what your outtake is? If you're putting all of this effort into something, overexerting yourself, putting strain on your body and mind...what are you doing to make sure that doesn't overcome you? To make sure that it doesn't become too much to handle? If the answer is nothing...then you've probably found your "why". I found my "why" today. I haven't been doing enough (hardly anything, really) to combat what I'm exerting. I have to make it a priority to connect with my mind and spirituality on a daily basis. I have to start taking 5, 10, 15 minutes every morning to simply...be. Put on calming sounds, music that moves you, or just sit in silence. Focus on your breathing. It's okay if thoughts pop into your head; recognize those thoughts and focus back in on your breathing.

Now, I am certainly not an expert in meditation or mindful thinking, but I'm starting my journey in this moment. The universe is telling me that I need to; that I have to. If you're currently feeling, or have days when you feel like the world is spinning around you...I encourage you to join me in this journey. We'll be learning together!

I discovered today that God, the universe, the spirit, etc. is telling me to slow down. If I'm feeling overwhelmed, it's okay. God has my back and is here for me. Trust in that. Live in it for a while and know that there is a plan for me...for all of us.

A place to me #unapologeticallyme.