Post-Slump Progress

It happens to everyone. You lose steam on a project that once excited you. Dread waking up to go to work in the morning for a period of time. Drag your feet. Hit a wall. Lose focus. Drift aimlessly. Fall into a slump. Whatever you want to call it, it's never a good feeling.

I'm not sure what causes these slumps; surely it's different things at different times. If the cause is obvious, I tend to find it easier to deal with than when it's a mystery as to why I just feel a bit OFF from time to time. I got over a cold recently, yet even after my symptoms disappeared I still felt fairly slumpy. I felt myself struggling to create (which is my job, being a writer and all) and to relate (which is pretty essential in life and work in general). In short, I turned into a great big grump.

I was happy to realize over the weekend that my grump alterego has finally retreated to her cave. Hooray! Rising out of such a slump is both a relief and a source of excitement for me. I go to my computer in the mornings reminded of why I chose the work I chose, instead of annoyed that I have to do it. I feel productive and energetic and like I can start all over again. What could be better?

The one little question that tickles the back of my mind is: what did the trick? What helped me get over the slump? Was it simply a matter of time? Or did I inadvertently stumble upon some magical formula of strawberry cheesecake, peanut butter sandwiches and corny romantic comedies (Yes, these are some of my go-to items) that reversed my grumpy slumpiness? I feel that some additional research may be required....

When you feel stuck, how do you un-slump yourself?