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sinking
Photo by Indiepoprockjesse
 

In a rut lately?  Sucks doesn’t it?  Feels like you are stuck in a perpetual cycle of the same, tedious, repetitiousness (hey triple redundancy score).  Like you’re in a hole of your own making.  It’s a weird feeling that’s for sure, and if left untreated being in a rut can lead to an even deeper hole - depression.

 

Fortunately there are simple things that you can do to get out of a rut.  Here are a few things that “de-ruttify” me:

1. Acknowledge that you’re in a rut, and acknowledge it soon:  Granted it’s not as easy as it looks but you know yourself better than anyone.  When you start feeling that something is wrong, take a step back and reflect.  Admit that you are not your usual awesome self and make a concentrated effort to do something about it.

2. Change things around:  It doesn’t have to be something big like packing up and moving to the opposite coast.  Start out slow and small.  Usually wake up at 6 am every morning?  Set the alarm at 5:45.  Have eggs for breakfast?  Eat some oatmeal or cereal.  Take the highway to get to work?  Use the side streets.  Always pack a ham and cheese for lunch?  Try tuna salad the next day or two.  These changes may not look like much, but you know what they say -the little things add up quickly, and when they do, your brain perks up and says, “Hey, this is different.”  And when you’re in a rut, different is good.

3. Keep a journal:  Notice I didn’t say diary(that’s because diaries are for sissies and little school girls…kidding!).  You don’t have to chronicle every single minutiae of your day, just a few passages are fine.  Not only does it make for an outlet for your thoughts, it can serve as a rut early warning system.  For example:

                 Monday: Started a new blog, nothing to write though.
                 Tuesday: Nothing comes to mind.
                 Wednesday: Still nothing.
                 Thursday: I’m drawing a blank, I think I’m in a rut…Hey wait a minute!

See?

4. Take a hike:  Or go for a run.  Got bad knees?  Take a walk then.  Whatever you can do to elevate your heartrate and release those feel good hormones-endorphins.  For that natural high without the nasty after crash.

5.  Meditate:  You don’t have to join a buddhist temple, squat for 3 hours or say “ohm” 50 something times.  Just find  quiet place where you can be uninterrupted for a few minutes to sit. Take some deep breaths, and kind of let your mind wander.  It’s different, relaxing, and refreshing.  Like a Fresca.

6.  Be consistent:  No not monotonous, that’s what got you into trouble in the first place :)  If you’re consistent in doing these activities, eventually they’ll become habits, and good ones at that.

And there you have it.  My 6 step “de-ruttifying” program.  I hope you find it useful.

Ramoney.