Stuck in a Rut? Here’s How to Find Your Way Out

Have you ever experienced what feels like the same day over and over again? The same alarm wakes you up at the same time, prompting you to do the same morning routine, after which you engage in a day filled with the same activities, work tasks, lectures, or anything else that requires your attention. Before you know it, the sun has set and the day is over. So you do what constitutes your nighttime routine and fall asleep. You do the same thing the next day. And the next day. And the next day…

Ruts are deeply unpleasant. They’re numbing, and run the risk of depleting any trace of inspiration, drive, and satisfaction. 

So how do you find your way out of one? The answer is probably different for everyone, but these are some methods that have helped me in the past.

1. Switch up your daily routine

Routines are helpful because they provide stability and structure. However, they grow stale easily and can devolve into mundane patterns. You can avoid this by occasionally changing your routine. This could mean taking a different route to work, or going to a different café to study, or striking up a conversation with the supermarket clerk that always bags your groceries. 

2. Call an old friend

I did this a lot in 2020 during the pandemic. Not every friendship has to wither away completely because of time spent apart. I discovered that the people I grew up or went to high school with were just as eager to catch up and have warm, sentimental conversations as I was. 

There’s something special about reconnecting with someone you knew from a different season of life. It’s a reminder of how spontaneous life is and to cherish every moment (cliché, I know, but it’s true). At the very least, you’re interacting with someone that’s not part of your typical day.

3. Stay active

I live a mostly sedentary lifestyle, but I recently decided that I want that to change. So now I go on walks more frequently. Staying active is an effective way to stay in good physical and mental shape. Even if your mind doesn’t feel like working out, do it anyway. You’ll appreciate it in the long run. If you’re in a rut and already have an active lifestyle, try out a form of exercise you’re unfamiliar with like a dance class, spin, yoga, swimming, etc.

4. Try a new look

If you feel like you’re endlessly living the same day, odds are your physical appearance is also the same. But it doesn’t have to be. Get a new outfit, hairstyle, piercing, or even a tattoo. By looking different, you’ll eventually start to feel different too. 

The same thing applies to your environment. If you spend most of your time in your room or at your desk and those spaces feel dull, then do what you can to spruce things up. Hang up new frames. Paint the walls. Rearrange your furniture. Let your creativity motivate and guide you.

5. Take a social media break

Many of us use social media as a crutch for our boredom, procrastination, and anxiety but end up feeling worse afterwards. Nowadays, social media breaks are necessary to maintain any sort of sanity, clarity, and peace of mind. Don’t get me wrong, I think social media is awesome, but only when used with good intention and in moderation. 

Try deleting your social apps for a week, a month, or even longer. It won’t be long before you start to experience the benefits. If you have the urge to scroll, pick up a book to read instead. Or play a video game. Or paint/draw. It may take some getting used to, but it’ll be worth it, I promise.

Is there anything on this list that sticks out to you? What do you do to get out of a rut? Let me know in the comments!