Hello, awesome readers! I would ask “How’s your day going?” but considering the topic of this post I will assume that your day is not going THAT great. However, you are here to change that, so let’s dive right into it. Ok, almost right into it. :)
Are you feeling stuck and thinking “How do I get out of this rut?”
Do you know you want to change something in your life but you just don’t know what it is or how to do it? Or maybe you keep circling back to bad and depressive thoughts about yourself and your life but you are very eager to change and finally DO SOMETHING to feel good? If you are nodding yes to this paragraph or at least part of this paragraph, this post is made right for you. :)
Follow this simplified recipe for how to get out of a rut:
First, have a break to clear your mind and get straight with your priorities.
Second, rewire your brain and add new and exciting elements to your day, week, and life.
Third, keep challenging yourself and expand your comfort zone (aka by going into controlled discomfort) to avoid slipping into a rut again.
Getting out of a rut – give yourself a break!
A rut is something in motion that you don’t like or that makes you feel empty. To change direction, you first need to slow down, so at the best of your abilities, hit the brakes and take a pause.
The perfect recipe is to have the break for at least 2 days straight. Why? On the first day, there is a big chance that you will still circle back to your old thinking patterns no matter what they are. From day two, your mind will start to slowly (or fast) let go and you will have started the rebooting, and clearing process. You will start to relax and gain a new perspective. If there is a third and fourth day, imagine what can happen!
So, if possible, try to give yourself at least a 2-day break from your life and your rut. Fill those 2 days with lots of fun activities and new impressions. Let your mind relax from the ordinary and explore the new.
That said, make sure you are not running away from your life for too long. Having a break is a great remedy, but as with all medication – it has to be taken responsibly and in the right dose.
So, have a break, give yourself a fresh restart, and then find ways to live a more content life every day.
9 things to do when you are ready to get out of a rut
Let’s see what are some great rut-killing activities you can do (or plan) right now!
1. How to get out of a rut: Go on a trip
Nothing clears your mind as being in a foreign country. If that’s not possible, take a trip somewhere in your country where you have never been! Thinking about what to do there and constantly following the map to be sure you go to the right place, visiting museums or other tourist attractions, taking pictures, finding food and so on will occupy your mind plenty to have a nice break from daily life.
Plus a big chance is you will have to solve unexpected problems, for example, communicating with your Airbnb or realizing that Waze has taken you through the smallest pathways to the wrong place. Nothing gets you out of a rut like solving a problem.
2. How to get out of a rut: Do a massive clean-out at home
This could deserve its own post to be honest, because tidying and cleaning your house, clears your mind, and everyone knows it. You can make it your mission to put in order every cabinet and shelf in your house. You can go after only the kitchen cabinets or re-organize your closet. Or you can do ALL the house, gradually, and go through EVERYTHING, clean it, and sort it.
For a little help, you can do Muchelleb’s 30 Days to Simplify Your Life Challenge (for an intensive clear out you can do it faster than 30 days) or read and follow the steps from the Marie Kondo book The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up that features the popular Konmari (tidying) method.
You can also check Netflix – there are two amazing shows about tidying and organizing.
If possible dedicate to tidying and organizing a few days or even a week, to have the best results. If not possible, make it your mission to attack your category of choice every day after (or before) work or school. Don’t be afraid to make a temporary mess. The most important thing is to keep going, give yourself the grace to feel overwhelmed, and then pull yourself together and get it done!
After putting a house in order, you will feel:
- the endorphin rush from finishing a project (and not an easy one, I will tell you that!);
- pride of accomplishment everywhere you look;
- at ease at your home because it will be so easy to find things and put them back;
- mental release from the organization and tidiness.
Lots of people report that after doing a good home edit following the Konmari method, they learn more about themselves and what they want in life. And that is perfect if you are getting out of a rut!
3. How to get out of a rut: Go on a one-day hiking trip
Or a two-day hiking trip – even better. But even a one-day trip can do good. Next weekend pack your bags, find a friend who will come with you (or go alone, that’s fine too!), and head out into the wilderness. No no, just kidding, find a trail and go for it!
I would recommend something longer – 20 to 30km to challenge yourself a little bit and to fill the whole day with walking and feel totally exhausted but satisfied after a day out. (My 30km walking story here and 60km walking story here!)
And if the next day you feel like not moving at all, binge-watch your favorite TV show or do a movie marathon. And that brings me to my next point.
4. Binge-watch a new TV series
Binge-watching new TV series for hours and hours, and even during the night has helped me clear my mind and learn something new about life. It just somehow creates space, because you leave your reality and live with fictional characters for the moment.
Noteworthy. If you decide on this activity, then go all in – make sure you binge-watch guilt-free, accept the process, and don’t blame yourself.
Plan your day and the next day for this escape – be sure you don’t have anywhere important to be in the morning and you have the luxury of sleeping in or feeling drowsy. If you can, marry the binge-watching night with a walk outside the next day. That will help you process the insights from the previous day while getting a little bit of exercise and fresh air.
Binge-watching is tricky though, so be very careful. First of all, if you are anything like me (khm, HSP, or just sensitive) choose your TV show wisely. You don’t want to cram your head with violence, scary or depressive situations. Even if you are not sensitive, I would really recommend going for something that is light and good, at least for a TV marathon.
Second, if you have trouble with reality or you feel disconnected from time to time, DO NOT DO THIS. Go for something that requires you to be in the moment, for example, outdoor activities, doing sports, etc.
But really, this one is here because it has helped me before, but I recommend you to consider any other suggestion from this list beforehand.
5. How to get out of a rut: Learn something new
Find an e-course or YouTube video and just drown yourself in studies. Yes, studying is a bit harder than just binge-watching TV, but boy you will get so much more out of it! Just forget for a few days your troubles and make your main goal in life to know everything about the topic of your choosing. Don’t think about where you will use the knowledge, just find a topic that interests you and broaden your horizons!
A few places where you can learn things online:
- Udemy.com
- Alison.com
- Coursera.org
- Yale (There are free records of lectures that you can watch. They are mostly from the early 2000s but for expanding your horizons, it is good enough!)
- Khan Academy
- Skillshare.com
There are also a lot of individuals and companies who offer different courses and masterclasses. Just google your interest + course and I am sure you will get a ton of results!
6. How to get out of a rut: Surprise yourself and go out to an event you wouldn’t usually go
I know that finding events to attend can be a task, but if it happens so that you have stumbled upon an event that kind of interests you, just go for it! Put on your finest clothes (or just take time to look nice, because it is always nice to look nice, isn’t it?) and dive into that new experience.
Just accept that you might not like the event or you might feel like an outsider because you don’t know anyone. Just go with the flow. The important thing here is to get yourself out of the house and do something a bit scary and unusual. It might turn out to be a really fun event after all. Either way, you might learn something new about yourself and break the cycle of not knowing what to do.
7. How to get out of a rut: Go out with your girlfriends or bros
Or just have a coffee with your bestie or a friend whose company you really enjoy. Socializing is crucial when you are feeling stuck. It might be the last thing you want to do, but really, it can be very beneficial. Especially if you have really good friends with whom you can talk things over or have a good laugh. Don’t deny the joy a friendship can bring into your life!
However, if you feel like you don’t have a friend you can trust, don’t worry, there are plenty of things you can do on your own and still get the desired result. I have your back!
8. How to get out of a rut: Try a new activity or hobby
Everything new will make new neuron pathways in your brain and inevitably break the old ones you have been stuck in.
- Go rock climbing if you haven’t done it;
- start running in the morning or evening;
- learn how to tap dance;
- maybe pick up ballet classes right at home?;
- do yoga or devote yourself to learning a handstand;
- go pole dancing or try a new hobby, for example, photography, knitting, crocheting, or anything else.
Heck, just start a blog! Call it whatever, f.e. Mindy238439.wordpress.com, and just write whatever is on your mind.
Do something exciting you haven’t done before. If you are feeling shy or do not like meeting strangers, or you have money issues, with the help of YouTube and the Internet, there are things you can do right from your home at no cost at all. Take advantage of this modern age.
Don’t be scared! You can just try, you don’t have to stick with it. Do it for fun! :)
If you cannot think of things to do, you can google “interesting hobbies”, “hobbies people have”, “fun things to do in free time”, and see what the internet has to offer.
9. How to get out of a rut: Do an activity you have always loved
For me, it is dancing and listening and singing to cheerful music or music that touches my heartstrings. Just let yourself be sunk in the activity your soul enjoys. For you it might be something else, maybe, drawing or piano playing, doing math problems, being outdoors, or visiting the seaside. I really don’t know what it is for you, but I am sure you do.
If not sure, look into your childhood and see what activities you did in your free time after school and enjoyed. Because, as children we don’t think about what’s useful, we do what we love.
In Conclusion
And this concludes my list for now! Hopefully, some of the ideas resonated with you and you will be able to get out of the rut you are stuck in. I feel so proud of you for working looking for solutions and believing in yourself. You are truly amazing!
If you are ready for something more, check out this article on How To Restart Your Life When You Are Ready For a Change!
What are other activities you would add to the list or that have helped you get out of the rut in the past? Share in the comments for others to learn! :)
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