The Copywriter Blues: Fixing the Funk

"I feel like I'm digging myself deeper into a rut." 

"It feels like everyone else is kicking ass in their careers while I'm  mired in a funk, feeling sorry for myself."

As a writer, sometimes feelings like this can creep up on you, kick motivation in the crotch, shove enthusiasm to the curb, and launch you into a foggy funk of self doubt. 

Add in a dash of imposter syndrome and your dad's suggestion of a career as a welder is starting to look like a better alternative.

It sucks.

And it seems like there is no end in sight.

You can get through it. But you've gotta be proactive.

First, stop beating yourself up. Accept that this happens. You're normal. 

Next, stop comparing yourself to others. Tomorrow start comparing yourself with today's you. Make incremental progress, trying to be a little better than you were yesterday. Repeat daily. Get some momentum going. 

Once you're slowly moving forward, consider some bigger steps:

• Set a goal for another type of writing and chase it. For example, commit to writing a blog post every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday or  to posting everyday on a select social media.
  
  
• Take a course. It doesn't have to be a copywriting course. 
  
  
• Start keeping a gratitude journal and shift your focus from what's bad to what's good.
  
  
• Commit to reading a number of books in a set period of time. For example: two books a month for 3 months. Pick books that will forward your career or books that will give you a break from your career. 
  
  
• Get out. Outdoors. Fresh air. Sunshine.
  
  
• Ignore the news for a while. 24/7 news coverage and constant access to social media can be draining. Limit your consumption to a set period a couple of times a day.
  
  
• Find an activity that brings you joy but is not writing based. Plant a garden. Bake bread. Crochet a blanket. Learn to play an instrument. Take up photography. Start collecting something. Play video games. Dance. Meditate. 
  
  
• Take a vacation. Pick a place you've never been or do something you've always dreamed of doing.
  
  
• Connect with others. Call friends and family. Socialize. Even limited connection with others can help you feel your best.
  
  
• Get a side gig with some relatively easy to reach wins. Write and publish a short story. Volunteer a few hours a week at a charity.
  
  
• Find a physical outlet. Working out. Walking. Kick boxing. Golf. Running. Fishing. Cycling. Bowling. Tennis. Swimming. Yoga.
  
  
• Focus on music. Buy tickets to a few concerts. Pick some artists you like and some artists you are not too familiar with. If tickets are too expensive, explore online options for listening to music you like and discovering music you didn't know you liked.
  
  
• Identify someone else who's having a tough time and help 'em out. 
  
  
• Pick a windmill to tilt at, such as a local, regional, or national cause that could use a volunteer.
  
  
• Make getting enough good sleep a priority.
  
  
• Quit and find yourself a new gig (or freelance). Maybe it's your work environment. If it's toxic and bringing you down, plan a strategic withdrawal.
  
  

Take a shot at one of these. 

Or a few of 'em.

You'll get those copywriter blues in the rearview mirror where they belong.

Now step on the gas.