How to get out of a rut
I am going to guess that at some point (probably at some point in the last 18 months), you have found yourself in a rut.
What constitutes a rut? There is no official definition for one but you know it when you are in it. Too many days in a row start to look and feel the same and it can feel like you are just going through the motions. There is a lack of excitement, a lot of complaining, and an overall feeling of being stuck in an endless loop.
So what do you do when you find yourself in a rut and how can you get out of it? Below are some of my top ways to break out of a rut and get back to feeling like yourself.
Get back to basics - Focus on those habits that you know make you feel good and set you up for success. Exercise, clean your house, meditate, eat well. Whatever it is that will make you feel good and have more ownership over your life. Once you have the basics down, it is much easier to add in the excitement on top.
Movement - I cannot emphasize enough how impactful moving your body can be. Ruts are generally accompanied by a feeling of being stuck and moving your body can help to release that stuck energy. It doesn’t have to be an actual workout, throw on some music and dance around your house or go take a walk. Anything that gets you moving and will help you release those stagnant feelings.
Go outside - Nature really is the best medicine and is another surefire way to immediately make yourself feel better. Being outside in nature elicits a sense of awe and being a part of something bigger than ourselves. It can help you stop ruminating, feel more grateful, and leave you in a more positive mood.
Do something new - The best way to get over everything feeling the same is to do something new and different. Something as simple as changing up your routine can go a long way towards breaking you out of your rut. Try a new restaurant, learn a new skill, sign up for a different workout class, or even take a different driving or walking route. All of these will help to make the days feel different and more exciting.
Give yourself something to look forward to - Personally, my ruts have a tendency to occur when I don’t have anything exciting on my calendar. So to combat this, I try to always have at least one thing a month that I am really excited about (had to get pretty creative with this one over the last year and a half). If you are in a rut, schedule something that you are really excited about, whether it is taking a trip, attending an event, or going out to a new bar with a new group of friends. It will give you something to look forward to and break up the monotony of a rut.
Embrace the everyday - While a rut won’t last forever and the above tips will help you get out of one, it can sometimes take a little while for things to shift. Embracing the mundane and everyday can help to alleviate the feelings of a rut. Make your favorite meal on a random Wednesday, blast music on your commute while singing along, or wear your most fun outfits. Working with the mundane can help you get out of a rut, especially when you are unable to change your external circumstances.
