9 FEEL-GOOD THINGS TO DO WHEN YOU’RE STUCK IN A RUT
I got back from a trip to Asia last week. Sometimes when I get back from a trip, I feel rejuvenated and ready to get jump right back into my routine, other times I feel unmotivated and stuck in a total rut. This time, I experienced the latter. I woke up and had no drive to do anything. Even sending a simple email felt like the biggest, most daunting task. What’s with that?
Being stuck in a rut sucks. You can’t really explain why you’re feeling the way you are and you don’t feel like doing anything that’s going to move you forward. When I’m stuck in a rut, I often question and doubt everything I’m doing- needless to say, it’s not a good feeling.
So I took to Instagram to get some advice from other creatives on what they do when they’re stuck in a rut. This advice below is a mix of tips from me and my followers on what to do when you’re stuck in a rut.
How to Get Out of a Rut
Being stuck in a rut is no fun at all. It makes you feel bad about yourself and what you’re doing in your everyday life. If you’re wondering how to get out of a rut, try these 9 feel-good things!
how to get out of a rut
1. Go for a Run
Me and my sister always talk about how much exercise improves our mental health. Whenever I’m feeling down and unmotivated, heading to the gym is a sure way to get out of a rut. It’s become an essential part of enhancing my mood, and I know I need to make time for it every day.
Running is usually my go to to get out of a rut. It’s so important to boost your endorphins on the daily, especially if you’re feeling stuck in in a rut! It doesn’t have to be running, do what works for you-just get your body moving!
2. Do Yoga
After I went for a run, I did a 20 minute yoga session and it was amazing. Not only is yoga great for your body, it’s also amazing for your mind. It’s incredible what a quick 15-20 minute session can do for you, and if you don’t have much time, I recommend yoga as a must-do for when you’re feeling stuck in a rut! It can boost your energy, mood and mental health over all.
3. Tidy Your Space
I’m always able to focus and work more efficiently in a tidy space. If you feel like your space is cluttered and disorganized, this could be contributing to the feeling of being stuck. Take some time to tidy up your space. Is your laundry basket overflowing? Put a load in. Is your desk space a cluttered mess? Go through everything and throw out anything you don’t need. Are there clothes all over your bedroom that need to be hung up? Hang them! Do whatever you need to do to feel good about the space you’re in.
4. Read
Reading can offer a great source of inspiration, whether it’s a book, a magazine or a blog. I flipped through my Vogue magazine (which I rarely buy anymore, but got for the plane ride) and read through a few stories that caught my eye. Reading has a way of transporting you to a new place and inspiring you at the same time. Whenever you don’t know what to do with yourself, reading is always a good bet. You’ll always learn something new.
5. Get Outside
It’s amazing what a burst of fresh air can do for your mental state. Getting outside for a walk around your neighbourhood can make you feel refreshed and boost your creativity and motivation. Walk over to grab a tea or coffee from your favourite cafe, head to a local park to read or people watch, or even walk a few blocks just to get outside!
6. Head to a Cafe
This one is for the work at home gals! I always feel so much more refreshed and motivated when I leave the house and do work at a cafe, so that’s exactly what I did in the afternoon. Changing up your environment can give you inspiration and help you get into a more creative headspace. Make sure wherever you go isn’t too loud and has an atmosphere you really enjoy and can work easily in!
stuck in a rut- cafe
7. Write Down Your Goals
As soon as I got to the cafe, I wrote down three of my biggest goals I have for my blog this year, as well as an action plan to achieve each one. Writing down your goals helps you get excited and motivated for what’s ahead. It’s a great way to get yourself out of a rut and was recommended to me by one of my lovely followers! So happy I took her advice!
8. Take Time Away from Social Media
This is a big one and always helps me when I’m in a rut. You’ve heard it before and you’ll hear it again, but “comparison is the thief of joy” and it’s so true. When you’re scrolling through social media, it’s so easy and natural to compare yourself to others-we do it without even thinking about it.
Sometimes I’m super tough on myself, my content, my growth…pretty much everything that comes with growing a brand. But staying in your own lane is SO important and a big part of this is staying off social media.
9. Rest
Sometimes forcing yourself to work when you’re feeling unmotivated can be the worst thing you can do. Sometimes it works. I’ve heard lots of advice on just starting and getting into the flow when you’re feeling in a rut, and while this does work at times, sometimes the best thing to do is just let yourself veg out.
Rest, take time for yourself and don’t force yourself into things. And yes, this advice is more so geared towards the self employed who can make their own schedule and work some extra hours on the weekend the make up for lost time!
things to do when you’re stuck in a rut -rest
Being stuck in a rut is one of the worst feelings, but know that it’s not permanent. Leaning how to get out of a rut is the first step to feeling better! Use these tips to feel good again and get back to your self!
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