Yahoo Finance How to Break Free From a Financial Slump
Have you ever felt like you're just going through the motions of your day, not necessarily enthralled by all of its possibilities but not necessarily depressed by it, either?
I think women, and especially mothers, have a tendency to get into slumps more often than men. We hold ourselves to extremely high expectations when it comes to our finances, our appearance, our roles in our relationships and our work. We're classic multi-taskers, which can be distracting, and we tend to spend more money than men, which can cause some stress at the end of the month when it comes time to pay bills.
I've definitely experienced slumps before in my career, and I had an especially bad one at the end of last year. I wasn't excited by my work anymore, I was tired of being covered in spit up every day from my twin babies and I just wanted to be a on a beach someone with a margarita, but I couldn't afford a vacation.
So, how did I break free of my slump, even though I couldn't book tickets to Cabo? I hope these suggestions can help you, too.
Change things up.
As a professional writer, I tend to write about the same topics over and over again. So, I decided to mix things up. I reached out to clients and brainstormed ways to make my writing more compelling and interesting. I took on some extra work and started writing more news stories, which were exciting and had quicker deadlines. I felt myself getting more motivated to sit down and write every day and that has continued a month later.
I think it's common for us to get scared to make a change in our jobs and our lives in general, especially since any shifts can have a major impact on our finances, but sometimes just one simple tweak can pull us out of a slump. Even if you are in a regular 9 to 5 job, ask your boss for some new responsibilities or ask to be assigned to a new task. You'll appear excited about your work and eager to take on new tasks, which your boss will like.
Get dressed up.
As a stay-at-home mom, I tend to look like a complete disaster every day. I mean, what's the point in getting all dressed up and wasting makeup when two little babies are just going to throw oatmeal at me and spit up on me? I find, though, that the days I actually put on a new outfit, even if it's just another pair of yoga pants and a little bit of concealer, I feel a lot better. I usually take baths at night, but sometimes if I can get a shower in the morning, I feel incredibly refreshed. You would think that things like getting up, getting dressed and putting on clean clothes would be a no-brainer, but for someone who is an online entrepreneur and a stay-at-home mom, my appearance always takes last place. In order to get out of a slump or even just a one-day slump, I find that getting all glammed up (meaning straightening my hair for once) really helps lift my spirits. It's also doesn't cost much at all.
Create a budget.
Financial woes affect people at different times. Even those who make a high income can worry about their job security or if they have enough money saved for retirement. If you feel like you can never catch up, are always living paycheck to paycheck and never have enough money to pay your credit cards in full, do yourself the greatest favor of all and create a budget. It doesn't take long, and it's not difficult. The main purpose is to track your spending and see where your money is going. You'll be amazed at how quickly you can pull out of a slump with just a few simple changes.
Get physical.
I resisted yoga for the longest time. I thought there was no way on the planet I could sit still for that long and actually enjoy it, but when I go, I truly feel relaxed. Not only that, but it's one of the few times of day where my phone is actually off. It's important to get some exercise every day, even if it means making the frugal choice of working out at home or going for a walk.
These are just a few ways that I've been able to get out of my own slump, financial and otherwise. I also make a habit out of reaching out to colleagues when I'm in a business slump and reaching out to my husband when I'm in a personal slump. I find the more support you get when you're having a tough time, the easier it is to transform it into a good time. Having ups and downs is a normal part of life, but staying in a slump for too long can have a detrimental effect on you and your family.
So, if you're reading this and you're worried about money, your appearance or just experiencing general boredom with your life, I hope you'll get pumped up and excited to make some changes. You owe it to yourself to be happy and productive, and sometimes all it takes is a little bit of mascara to ignite the change to make it happen.
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