The dreaded life rut. It happens to us all at one point or another, even if we try to avoid it. One day life is great and then the next thing you know you feel like you’ve been staring at a wall the past month or so wondering where you went wrong.
While I’d never recommend getting yourself into a rut on purpose, these situations can give you valuable information. It usually means you are out of alignment. There is either something missing, your body is telling you that you need a break, or maybe you need to reevaluate your life and determine if you are where you want to be. We are here to help you get out of your life rut today.
10 Ways To Get Out Of A Life Rut
See which of the following activities call to you and make it a point to do it. Soon your life rut will be a thing of the past and you’ll be on your way to bigger and better.
1) Do a Life Inventory
The first thing you want to do is take some time to reflect on your life at this point. I like to think of it as a life inventory. Think of every area of your life: health, finances, relationships, career, etc., and then break them each down.
In each category answer these questions honestly. It’s just you and your notebook, or notes app, no one else has to see this. You can, and should, be 100% real here
- On a scale from 1-10 (one being the lowest and 10 being the highest) how satisfied are you with this area of your life? Why did you rate it that number?
- What would a high score (8-10) look like for you in this area?
- What is a small action you can do to get that number higher?
- What is something going well for you in this area (celebrate the small wins)?
Once you’ve done each section, walk away from the journal entry. Don’t review it or think about it for the rest of the day. The next day I want you to review what you wrote and create your game plan. Rate each area from most important to least important and make a plan to start taking action on your most important area.
This can look like starting a workout routine for the health area, or applying to jobs in a new industry for your career transition. Just focus on one area at a time.
2) Change Something to Get Out of a Life Rut
Sometimes to get a rut you just need to make a simple change. As insignificant as it may seem, a new wardrobe, hair color, or home/office decor can uplift your spirits.
A new look can give you a confidence boost you didn’t know you needed. Changing up your scenery can inspire and invigorate you as well.
3) Expand Your Circle
Have you heard the phrase “You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with?” Given this information you may want to take a look at your circle.
Do the people around you inspire you, motivate you, entertain you, and have your best interests at heart? Or do they bring you down, don’t get excited about your passions, and keep you stagnant? If it’s the latter it may be time to expand your circle and find people that are more like the former.
This doesn’t mean you have to cut these people out of your life. Instead I would just recommend setting boundaries and protecting your peace. The more you surround yourself with those that help you grow, the more growth you’ll have.
4) Work On Your Mindset
I get it, when you are stuck in a rut it’s easy to stay in a negative mindset. In order to get out of the rut you need to fight against that. Pay attention to how you talk to yourself. Catch any negative self-talk and flip it to be positive.
Work on adopting a growth mindset and you’ll find yourself with a better attitude about your current situation. You’ll know that it’s a temporary situation and be more willing to make changes you need to make.
5) Start a Passion Project
Sometimes all you need to get out of a life rut is something to get excited about again. This can be a new hobby, side-hustle, volunteer work, anything that doesn’t have to do with your job that you are passionate about.
Start an etsy shop, a collection, or a new skill you enjoy. You never know where it may lead, but for now just focus on doing it for the fun of it.
6) Take a Break to Get Out of a Life Rut
Life is hard. We are constantly on the move, trying to get to the next milestone or keep up with the trends. It doesn’t have to be that way though. Before you burn yourself out, take some time to get away from all the chaos and stress.
You can go on a staycation, or even a vacation. Take PTO from work and binge watch your new favorite show, go to the spa, or do something else you enjoy. So, whatever is going to fill your cup, do that.
7) Do a 30-Day Challenge
This can be a fun way to add some excitement to your life. If you are competitive, like me, it will light a fire in you to complete it as well. But it doesn’t even have to be anything “serious”, take it to any tone of challenge you prefer.
It can be something fun like a daily whimsy challenge, or a challenge that will improve your life in some way (like a no-spend challenge or workout challenge). It will be even more fun if you can get others to do the 30-day challenge with you.
8) Make Time for More Fun
If you take anything away from this post, let it be this: When your days get mundane and feel like you are just going through the motions, oftentimes it means you need more fun in your life.
When was the last time you made plans with a friend, went to an event, or spent time doing something you enjoy? I try to aim for one of each of those when I’m in a rut. Disrupting the routine is what’s going to get you out of your life rut. Add some fun to your life.
9) Get Inspired to Get Out of a Life Rut
Sometimes reading or listening to someone’s inspiring journey is enough to reinvigorate my life. Seeing others overcome their obstacles and find success makes me believe I can too. A lot of times these books, videos, podcasts, etc. will give you practical tips to help you on your journey as well.
10) Go To Therapy
If you’ve tried a few of the ideas above and still feel like you are in a rut, there is another resource that can help with that. Therapy has been a godsend in my life when I’ve been down or at a crossroads in my life.
Seeking out help may feel hard to do, but the benefits far outweigh the doubts you may be having. You don’t have to have a mental illness to see a therapist or counselor. They are there to simply help you through a hard time, like a life rut, as well.
Final Thoughts on How to Get Out of a Life Rut
Now you’ve got a variety of tools and tips to help you get out of a life rut. Oftentimes it’s a small shift that is needed to redirect your life.
Try an activity and see what happens. You may need to try a few to find the one that gets you feeling like yourself again. Have faith that you will get there and share this with a friend that needs it as well.
About the Author
Kelly graduated from Liberty University with a degree in Advertising and Public Relations and a minor in Journalism. Even though it took her a little while to find her career path, she was always meant to be in Communications. She remembers writing poems and songs when she was a little girl and pitching to my parents the reasons why I should have a cell phone when I was a teenager. She currently has a blog (budding-joy.com) where she talks about her weight-loss journey, mental health and personal development. Her hope is to encourage and inspire readers and let them know they are not alone. Reading blog posts like that are what helped her in tough times and she wants to pay it forward. She loves dance fitness, listening to music, and creating layouts in her bullet journal. She's a big fan of planning, especially when cute notebooks and pens are involved. Her dream job has changed so much over the years; right now she'd love to co-own a dance studio.
Website: budding-joy.com