How to Get Out of a Rut

​​Hey guys! Do you ever just have one of those days where you're just out of it? Maybe you've had a rough week at school or work, or it's been too long since you've taken a minute to slow down. I'm definitely guilty of letting myself get too busy without taking time to unwind and take care of myself. Or maybe it's not because you're busy. Maybe you just feel stuck in a funk. I can attest that that's pretty much the worst. What should you do about it?

​That's a question I found myself asking. I had gotten so swept up in school and theatre that I had little time for anything else. I had to go back to the basics and figure out what I enjoy doing in my free time. Keep in mind that these won't be the same for everyone, but I thought I'd share with you what I enjoy doing when I need to recharge a little.

1.) Use a Face Mask

Self-care is going to be a big focus in this post. A lot of the time when I'm trapped in a bad mood, I find that it's likely caused by a lack of me-time. When I get some time to myself, I love to focus on skincare. There are so many great face masks out there. (You can read my post about my favorite ones here.)  A plus to using face masks is that you can find them pretty much anywhere nowadays and most of them are relatively inexpensive. There's a face mask for pretty much any skin type. There are ones that firm, brighten, cleanse pores, moisturize-- there are even ones with little animal faces printed on them!
I like to wash my face with a gentle, exfoliating cleanser (this helps the mask's essences sink in better) and then slap on a face mask for 15-30 minutes. While I wear it, I like to soak in the tub, read a book or watch YouTube. It always leaves me feeling so refreshed, and I love the way my skin glows after I use a face mask.I typically wear them while I'm reading before bed, and then I take them off right before I go to sleep. That way I wake up with great skin! You can also put one on right before you do your makeup to get extra moisture and a gorgeous dewy glow.

2.) Read a Book
I don't know about you, but my whole life feels out of whack when I don't maintain a decent reading schedule. Reading is one of my greatest passions, and there are few things that relax me more than getting cozy with a good novel.
Even if you don't necessarily consider yourself a reader, I encourage you to pick up a book that sounds interesting or is trending. There's no shame in reading something that everyone's talking about. It's probably popular for a reason, and lots of people find books that they truly love that way. I'm a firm believer that people who don't like to read just need to find the right book.
You don't have to read fiction! Non-fiction books can be very inspiring, which can be just the thing to snap you out of a funk. Finding a book about someone who is facing similar situations and overcoming them can be really empowering.
Books are a fantastic way to lift me out of a bad mood. I spend a couple of chapters with characters I enjoy or in a fascinating place, and all my troubles seem to melt away. I know that probably sounds corny, but it's true! I always feel more relaxed after reading. If you consider yourself an avid reader and are currently feeling a little glum, try reading a book that's a little different than something you'd usually read. I've discovered some incredible books that way, and the change in routine helps me feel refreshed.

3.) Write in a Journal
Sometimes, all you need is to do a brain dump on a piece of paper. I'm consistently amazed with how restoring writing can be. All you need for this is a pen and paper, or a computer if you prefer to type. (I recommend actually writing, though.) Try writing down everything you think, as soon as you think it. Brain dump it. It's very therapeutic.
Get yourself a journal that you love. T.J. Maxx is a great place to get moderately priced journals, and they usually have a large selection. If you can't find one you like in the back, look in the checkout lane because sometimes they have more there. I also LOVE pens! I have so many that I'm pretty much drowning in them. Felt-tip pens are by far my favorite. They write so smoothly and give your handwriting such a pretty look. You can buy my favorite felt-tip pens here. 

4.) Do a Workout!
Okay, okay, I know what you're thinking. "Elle, nothing puts me in more of a funk than thinking about getting on a treadmill." Hear me out! There are so many fun workout videos that you can check out on YouTube. I'm a huge supporter of Blogilates, and I think everyone should do one of her calendars at least once. If you're into Pilates, she's your best bet! If you want something super short and fun, I recommend The Fitness Marshall. He does short dance workouts to popular songs. His fun personality is a mood booster by itself, and getting up and breaking it down is sure to make you smile.
Aside from the fun videos, investing in your health is always a good idea. I personally love running. It's become kind of a meditative thing for me. I like to run around the track inside the gym with my headphones in and just zone out. The most important thing about fitness is finding something that you enjoy. There are so many accessible options for workouts and stuff now, and the vast majority of them are 100% free. Whether it's running, kickboxing, swimming or whatever, just find something that YOU enjoy. Not something that someone else tells you will torch a trillion calories in 20 minutes or the next big trend. Something. You. Like.
I'm pretty passionate about this, and I'm planning a post on the importance of finding a workout that you love.
And now for my biggest tip...

5.) Get Dolled Up
I don't know what it is about doing my makeup and putting on an outfit I love, but it always snaps me right out of a funk. Something about putting on an outfit you feel good in just really makes me feel great. And I don't necessarily mean something "sexy." It can be whatever you want, whatever makes you feel the most like yourself. For me, I love finding cute combinations of layers in the fall and pairing them with a cute hat and some jewelry. When I'm really feeling spunky, I wing my eyeliner and swipe on some lipstick. I also like to do my skincare routine (post coming soon) so my skin not only looks but feels its best. The process of doing my makeup has always been super empowering for me. If you're at a loss for inspiration, check YouTube! (I don't know if you've noticed, but YouTube is my resource for pretty much everything.)

​Go on, girl. Put on some mascara and take over the world.