December – a month of friends and family, of giving and receiving, of hecticness and joy, but the holidays are past, and it’s back to the daily work ritual. Even when someone loves their job and is passionate about their career, the end of the holidays can bring in an element of a let-down, the blahs, and, in comes cases, depression.
It’s a new year, but while that thought can be refreshing, it can also be defeating. After all, professionals claim that more than 50% of us ditch our resolutions by the middle of January, and according to USA Today, 80% of all resolutions bite the dust by the second week of February.
So, how do you beat the blahs? Here are a few ideas to get you started.
Plant a tree – they not only provide materials for tools and shelter, and because play a vital role in the carbon cycle, the sheer beauty of trees lifts our spirits.
Volunteer – Whether you sign up for a weekly or monthly commitment or participate in a one-time event, giving of our time and resources to a good cause restores the soul. Many who volunteer claim it does more for them than the recipient of their generosity.
Memorize a poem or read a book – choose a different genre than your usual taste. Stretching yourself builds confidence, and expanding your literary realm makes you a happier, more rounded person.
Begin and end each day with gratitude – Finding something new to give thanks for each day will change your perspective from the blahs to bliss.
Try new food, learn a new game, participate in a new sport– you get the picture. Doing something new builds confidence and adds a spring to your step.
Grab a coffee with a neighbor or co-worker – take time to build your relationships and create new ones.
Take care of yourself – Healthy eating, exercising, and sleep habits will boost your overall morale.
Declutter your workspace, home space – or both. Fresh, clean, organized space inspires a fresh, clean plan and motivates us to look forward.
Make one ginormous, over-the-top goal – share a laugh with coworkers and friends over it, and then – break it down into steps and see how many you can accomplish. It’s not about the ‘destination’; it’s all about having fun on the journey.
Pretend you’re a tourist – discover your community.
Choose one or two items on the list and when you accomplish it, choose another one. Before you know it, the blahs will be long gone, and Spring will be around the corner.
For those who choose to pretend you’re a tourist and discover Phoenix and surrounding areas, here are some hidden wonders.
Phoenix Sonoran Preserve
Located in Phoenix’s northern reaches, the vast protected open space offers a more relaxed alternative to Camelback, with wide-open trails and sparser crowds.
Deer Valley Petroglyph Preserve
Delve into the symbolism of ancient carvings at the Deer Valley Petroglyph Preserve in the northwest valley suburb of Glendale.
The biggest complex of its kind in Arizona—packs four theaters, five art galleries, and multiple classroom studios under one roof.
“Fireflies” The Yayoi Kusama Infinity Room, Phoenix
Displayed at the Phoenix Art Museum in the Contemporary Art Wing, “Fireflies” is a 25-square foot exhibition of mirror-lined walls, a black Acrylate roof, a polished black granite floor, and 250 LED lightbulbs that are programmed to alternate colors creating an ethereal experience that can overwhelm anyone’s notion of time and space.
Rentals America Phoenix provides full-service property management for residential properties throughout Phoenix and surrounding areas. Our dedicated team has over 60 years of industry experience. We handle the day to day hassles so you can rest easy and spend time discovering the hidden gems or tackling another challenge on the list. Contact us today.
