The following column is the opinion and analysis of the writer, Katharina Buczek.

Now is the time of year when most people hit a “funk.” There are no holidays to look forward to, and summer is not exactly around the corner. The days are still shorter than we might like, and overall, life might feel a bit “blah.”

You may even be thriving in most areas of your life– hitting work quotas, keeping up with your skincare Routine, and killing it at the gym. But, for some reason, all of these accomplishments may not feel that fulfilling or exciting.

If you can relate, it is time to spice up your life. Routines are great for fueling productivity and discipline and holding you accountable to reach your goals. Although, once they become too bland– and your life feels like it is dragging– your mental health will take a hit.

Rather than wallowing in the mid-winter blues, save yourself the frustration and inevitable overthinking. There are plenty of proactive steps you can take to add the “life” back into your day-to-day and fall in love with your existence all over again.

1. Welcome The Unexpected

Just last week, I admitted to being a (somewhat reformed) control freak and detailed how trying to always guide everything in your life is a surefire recipe for disaster. Things may not go as planned– resulting in missed expectations. Fellow control freaks may also prevent themselves from trying out new opportunities just because they are unable to steer the outcome.

Let’s be honest, though: this is absolutely no way to truly “live.” The beauty in life is about surprises, the unexpected. Think about the care you felt when a loved one surprised you with flowers or the feeling of elation you experienced after you tried something new and enjoyed it.

The secret to feeling these extreme “good” emotions is not hidden in our to-do lists or waiting for us on our calendars. Rather, they are the product of the abnormal, the unexpected, and the “outside of our comfort zones.”

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So, to start feeling more alive, start stepping outside of your own box. Put yourself in new situations with new people, and try activities you have never even thought to participate in before. You just have to bet on yourself, and you will surely be surprised in the end– in one way or another.

2. Make Plans For The Future

When feeling stagnant, it sometimes helps to have something to look forward to. Maybe work is going great, and your relationship is “total goals,” but you are feeling unsure about “what’s next” in your life.

Well, spoiler alert: only you can be the decider of your fate. And that is a glorious thing.

Take stock of what you are not enjoying right now. Maybe your commute is horrible, you desperately need a new kitchen, or you are missing family.

Whatever it may be, set a plan to make a change. This can be a short-term or long-term goal and can be centered around anything you want: career, fitness, self-care, family, relationships, home, hobbies, and more.

Just make a decision about what you want to add to your life, write it down, and start game planning. Not only will you be getting closer to accomplishing a goal, but knowing that you are moving forward will give you a renewed sense of motivation and excitement to attack each day.

3. Experiment With Your Wardrobe

There are so many parts of our day that cannot be changed– at least in the short term. All of us have to work, go grocery shopping, and clean up our houses. If you are a parent or caregiver, you also can’t just ditch homework time, dinner prep, or bedtime routines.

Nonetheless, you can change what you wear while going about your routines.

If you are sick of the same-old same-old, try switching up your wardrobe. No, it may not make a difference to anyone we interact with on a daily basis. But, what we wear is directly tied to how we feel about ourselves– and that is what’s most important anyway.

Try out a new makeup hack, or hit TJ Maxx to buy a new pair of jeans. You can even (finally) go through your closet and start piecing together some staple items that you never thought to pair in an outfit before.

With a new look, you can practically reinvent yourself– and feel revitalized while doing it.

4. Spend More Time Outside

Nearly no one spends enough time outside during the winter months. And I get it: it’s often chilly, windy, misty, or some other gross forecast outside.

But, whenever you can, try to seek out sunshine and get back in touch with nature.

You can take your dog for an extra long walk, go for a Hike with friends, or even just bring a blanket and a book outside to read.

The calming sounds and fresh air will decrease anxiety, boost your mood, and lead to a better quality of sleep. You will also just feel refreshed after heading back inside and breaking up your day.

5. Get Creative

Boredom and unrest stir when mental stimulation is low. So, if you are used to your daily routine, feeling a lack of purpose is not uncommon.

That’s why creativity is essential– and the best part is that there are so many ways to bring creativity into your life.

If you love interior design, work on finally rearranging your living room or hanging up some new wall art in your bedroom. If you prefer more traditional art, get some adult coloring books, canvases and paints, or sketching pencils. Then, let your mind run wild.

You can even get creative with journaling by investing in some fun-colored pens, washi tape, stickers, and textured paper. Whatever floats your boat is perfectly fine. The only thing that matters is that you allow yourself to zone out and just “create” whatever inspires you.

6. Look For Laughter

Does it feel like it’s been way too long since you have had a good belly laugh? You’re probably right. Laughing is a cathartic experience, often best shared with a close friend or loved one. But, even if you are alone, you don’t have to wait to reap the benefits of chuckling out loud.

Throw on a funny movie to enjoy while you eat dinner, or hit a comedy club one weekend to hear a couple of knee slappers. Even call your best friend and reminisce about hilarious memories.

Laughing at all things in life– both positive and negative– can be a great way to relieve stress, relax your body, boost your immune system, and bring you closer to others.

7. Just Get Moving

The cure for feelings of stagnation is making some sort of move. Stop overthinking what you need to do next or agonizing over all of the potential options. Literally, just pick something to do– whether that be a workout class, museum trip, hike, restaurant opening, or bookstore trip– and just do it.

If you see a blank space on your calendar, throw in something new. You can even write down potential ideas on slips of paper, pop them in a mason jar, and draw them like a lottery to see what you should try next.

The point is that if you are actively engaging your mind and body in new experiences, it will be impossible to feel bored or uninspired. You may not like everything you attempt, but you will definitely get exposure to new people, places, and things. Plus, you may even find a cool hobby or meet an awesome new person along the way.

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