How to UN-Think Your Way out of a Funk

The following appeared in the March 7, 2025, edition of Estes Park News as my monthly "Elevated Living" column (see page 18).

If you’ve been feeling like an off-brand version of yourself lately—dragging through the day, side-eyeing the pile of laundry like it personally wronged you, wondering if you should just give up and move into the woods—welcome to the club. We may not have matching jackets, but I did bring snacks. Because I’ve been here recently myself.

Maybe it’s the winter blues. Maybe it’s shifting hormones (thanks, perimenopause!). Maybe it’s just the collective weight of, oh, everything. Whatever the reason, funks happen. And the worst part? Our brains, in all their glory, love to keep us there.

Up to 90% of our daily thoughts are reruns, and most of them aren’t exactly TED Talk material. Instead, they loop on why you didn’t answer that email, whether you’re aging like fine wine or an old banana, and if you’ll ever get your life together. (Spoiler: No one has their life together.)

The kicker? You can’t think your way out of a funk. Trust me, I’ve tried. Turns out, the best way to change your thoughts is to change something else first. Here are a few things that actually work:

Listen to Literally Anyone Else’s Thoughts

Your brain is a broken jukebox, replaying the same sad song on a loop. The fastest way to shut it up? Swap out the records.

That means audiobooks, podcasts, or even a YouTube rabbit hole of motivational talks from people who don’t sound like they’ve spent the day doomscrolling. It interrupts the repetitive negativity and sneaks in a few fresh, possibly helpful thoughts. Worst case? You waste 20 minutes listening to an upbeat British man tell you how to live your best life. Best case? You actually start to believe him.

Move Your Furniture, Move Your Mood

Your brain is like a nosy neighbor when it comes to your environment—it picks up on everything. When you’re stuck in a rut, the same four walls start feeling like a crime scene for your motivation.

Recently, I repainted and redecorated my bedroom, and I swear, the serotonin hit was better than chocolate. If you don’t want to commit to a full HGTV makeover, just shuffle things around. Swap out some decor. Move your couch. Change your bedding. Trick your brain into thinking something exciting is happening, even if it’s just your lamp relocating two feet to the left.

Dress for Dopamine

Speaking of a serotonin boost, let’s talk about its sexy cousin, dopamine dressing—the science-backed concept that what you wear affects how you feel. 

If you’re slumping around in sweatpants that haven’t left your couch since 2014, your mood is probably mirroring that energy. Instead, wear something intentional—something that makes you feel attractive, powerful, or at least like someone who could successfully lead a meeting. Studies show color, texture, and fit all impact mood. So yes, put on the good jeans. Dig out that jacket that makes you feel like a boss. Or wear the fancy earrings to the grocery store, just because. Your brain won’t see it coming.

Move Like Your Sanity Depends on It (Because It Kinda Does)

Here’s the thing: your body and brain are in cahoots, and one of the fastest ways to change your mental state is to physically change your state.

I swear by three things: walking outside (because nature plus movement is basically a factory reset), lifting heavy weights (because throwing around iron makes me feel like I am a strong, powerful, capable woman, hear me roar!), and dancing like no one is watching—even if someone is watching.

The point is to do something that gets your blood moving and reminds your brain you’re alive, not just an over-caffeinated collection of stress and existential dread.

Final Thoughts

If you’re in a funk, congratulations—you’re a human in 2025. But you don’t have to stay there. Stop trying to outthink your way back to normal, and start doing something instead. Change the input, move your surroundings, trick your brain with color, or get your body in on the action.

And if all else fails? At least wear your fanciest pair of cowboy boots. You know I will be.

Wanna boot-scoot together?  Email me at chazz@higherelevationscoaching.com to get on my mailing list and get pick-you-ups like these on a near-weekly basis.