Not everyone who’s in a rut realizes they’re in one. They just sense something isn’t right. And many people who know they’re in a rut don’t know how to climb out of it. Regardless of which situation someone finds themselves in, it’s important they make changes to ensure their long-term health and happiness at home, at work, and in life overall. We’ll look at signs you could be in a rut and offer suggestions for getting out and getting back in the groove.
1. You dream about getting away—and not just on vacation
Everyone daydreams now and then. But if you’re always wishing you were somewhere else, you may be in a rut. The surprise and novelty of doing something spontaneous fills our brains with the motivation neurotransmitter, dopamine, which makes us feel excited, curious and adventurous. Spontaneity also gives us a feeling of autonomy, and that sense of control can boost motivation, too.
2. You don’t look forward to much, other than sleeping or getting through whatever you’re doing
If you regularly feel like you don’t have anything to look forward to, start to look for beauty in what lies around you. Instead of waiting for something monumental to happen, keep an eye out for the little things that life has to offer. These can make a big difference.
3. No matter how hard you try, it feels like you’re going nowhere
It’s not uncommon to feel stuck in the hamster wheel, especially at work. Our brains are wired to resist change, preferring to fall back on old habits. But visualizing our goals and choosing new strategies to achieve them creates new neural pathways in our brains. The more we use them, the stronger the pathways become and the more we can get beyond what’s familiar, safe and often stifling.
4. You look at other people’s lives with envy
In the age of social media and curated photo collections, it’s easy to compare your life to others’. But it’s important to shift your focus back to you. That could mean repeating a positive, empowering phrase about yourself, eating healthier meals or even pampering yourself just because.
5. Even though you check things off your to do list, it doesn’t feel like you’re getting much done
If you feel little sense of accomplishment no matter how much you do, the issue may be that you’re always aiming for perfection. To combat this, silence your internal critic and be happy just getting things done. You’ll feel productive and better about not being so hard on yourself. And remember, there’s always another day or project on which to improve.
6. You want to get your creative juices flowing, but feel like you’re running on empty
You’re feeling spent and uninspired, and you can’t shake the feeling. Or can you? By setting aside an hour or two a week to devote to a passion project, you’ll be able to channel your energy into something you want to do versus something you need to do. It’s a true expression of yourself and can reignite your zest for life by giving you a refreshed or new perspective.
7. You feel bored most of the time
It’s time to take a withdrawal from your memory bank. Think of something you did in the past that got you excited, and picture yourself doing it. It can even be something from your youth. Once you pinpoint that activity, go do it. This method for getting out of your rut is called the flip technique, and it helps turn your discontentment into something that makes you feel happy again.
8. You regularly choose to stay home instead of going out with friends
It’s one thing to be a homebody, but it’s quite another to never go out. Try examining your work-life balance, which can help you determine whether at least one of these aspects of your life is vibrant. Ask yourself whether you’re engaging in the same activities over and over. See what’s on your schedule, and make sure you have new opportunities to look forward to.
9. You make excuses for not doing things, such as “I don’t have time”
When you find yourself believing you can’t do something, dig deeper to find out what’s really stopping you. Is it fear? A past experience? Lack of confidence? By looking within, you’ll become conscious of that limiting belief – the first step toward getting past it. Try journaling about daily thoughts and experiences to figure out what’s really going on.
10. You often think of yourself as a martyr, putting others’ needs first to the detriment of your own
Helping others is admirable, but constantly putting their needs ahead of your own isn’t. It’s an unhealthy pattern you need to break. Make a list of the things that make you feel like a martyr or, worse, a victim. Recognize your role in each situation, then brainstorm ways to change them. Check them off the list as you do. This way, you’re taking control of the situation rather than letting it control you.
11. You don’t see the purpose of anything you do
If “What’s the point?” dominates your inner dialogue, try getting outside more often. Research shows that exposure to our natural settings changes the brain to reduce anxiety and thwart depression. Brain activity in the areas associated with critical thinking diminishes, and nature helps turn off our physiological stress response to put us in a more restful state.
While being in a rut is never fun, implementing a few of these tips can help get you back on track. Keep them in your arsenal, and whenever you’re feeling stuck you can pull them out for an instant boost.
Sources
Luna, T. (2016) 10 Signs That You’re in a Rut. psychologytoday.com
Luna, T. (2016) 10 Ways to Break Out of a Rut (Right Now). psychology.com
Self-Determination Theory. (2016). Home Page. selfdeterminationtheory.org
Chu, M. (2017) 13 Signs You’re Stuck in a Rut. lifehack.org
Grady, A. (2017) Feeling Stuck in a Rut? Here’s How to Burst Out and Thrive. entrepreneur.com
Bridges, F. (2016) 6 Ways to Get Out of a Rut. forbes.com
Boogaar, K. (2017) Feel Stuck in a Rut? Do these 3 Things. inc.com
Knaus, B. (2012) Are You in a Rut? Take the Test. psychologytoday.com
Bexley, S. (2017) Here’s How You Get Out of That Rut. dailymail.com
Life Coach Spotter. (2017) Stuck in a Rut: The Complete to Moving Your Life Forward. lifecoachspotter.com
Stulberg, B. (2016) Feeling Down, Stuck, or In a Rut? Get out in Nature, Says Science. medium.com
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