Panache

A life rut is defined as the time in your life when you feel stuck, unmotivated, or directionless. You are going through an existential crisis. Your life is going fine but there is no fun in it and you don’t feel enthusiastic about it anymore.

If you have any of the above feelings, you may be stuck in a life rut and don’t realize it yet. But if you feel like making a change in your life and starting your glow-up phase, below are some ways to do it.

These are simple ways you can follow to make a change in your life that lacks zeal.

Find out why your life is stagnant.

It is not easy to get out of life’s rut unless you know why you have been feeling like that. You already know you are feeling stagnant in life. You have been working as a hamster in a wheel but you see you are going nowhere. And that takes your energy away. Because that cannot be the source of anyone’s motivation. So, you need to dive deep and understand your current situation.

Also read: Why don’t you feel fulfilled in life?

Is it burnout?

Sometimes, you have been on life’s routine for so long, you forget why you started running in the first place. Now, you run because your schedule wants you to run. But you feel tired and worn out on the inside. You feel you can’t stop because that is how you have been programmed. The feelings of tiredness don’t wear out even though you sleep sufficiently. All of these can be an indication of burnout. That can be one of the reasons why your life feels stagnant.

Also read: You can be following your passion and still be burntout. Want to know how?

Is it a lack of motivation?

Have you been daydreaming about achieving and executing a lot of ideas but can’t get out of bed? You try hard every day and feel you will make a difference but cannot find the motivation. The type of motivation required to complete the project in the first place. With this, you can feel your life is a rut.

You may think lack of motivation can only be because you want to achieve big things. But sometimes, you need motivation to do the smallest of tasks. At times, you need enough motivation to get out of bed, make your bed, or even step out of your room. And it is okay to feel that way.

Is it procrastination?

Being ambitious and delaying tasks for various reasons can make you feel stagnant. Maybe you can’t start because you want it to be perfect. And what is in front of you is not enough. You tell yourself excuses like you don’t have enough resources. In this case, you may feel stuck because of procrastination.

List down all your thoughts, plans, ideas, and dreams.

The first step to changing your situation from a life rut to getting moving is to jot down the thoughts churning in your mind. You feel burdened and tired because of your mental weight. All you need to do is to make it light.

So, pick a paper, and start writing on it. It may be anything, ranging from thoughts to ideas and what you daydream about. Mention how you are feeling in the moment. What do you keep thinking? And if you have enough energy to keep moving?

In this way, you will be confronting your thoughts. You will give them a shape and realize what they mean and what to do for them. This will immediately make you feel lighter. And you may want to take a light nap afterward.

Also read: A step by step guide to achieving your goals.

Take a shower. Make your bed. Organize your wardrobe. Sort out your surroundings.

One of the best mental health hacks is truly the simplest. You just need to jump into a shower. You may not have enough motivation for the same. But push yourself and do the same. It may be quick or may involve complete body care. But once you are done you are bound to feel different.

There is something therapeutic about feeling water on your body. You will feel a weight lifted off. It may take your mind off of things you were worried about. After that, you may wonder what comes next. Once you have taken care of yourself. Start by taking care of your surroundings.

Make your bed, organize your wardrobe, and your room. Try to make a change in your surroundings. You will feel you have entered a different dimension altogether. Being there may make you feel renewed.

Shake your routine.

At times, our routine is what has been killing us. And we are not even aware of it. If you also feel like a hamster on the wheel. All you need to do is to shake your routine.

You do not need to do anything productive, but something different. It may be as small taking a different route to your office to trying a new cuisine altogether. Involve some light artwork in your routine or visit the nearest park to have a small picnic. You will feel it has made all the difference in the world.

Also read: 10 ways to maintain your mental hygiene.

Re-define your routine.

Once you have shaken up your routine, you can’t go back and run on the same wheel. Be like Daenarys Targaryen and break it. Define a new status quo for yourself. Tell yourself that the old way has to be out and a new way of living needs to be there.

So, add some new things to your routine. It can involve taking time to make a delicious breakfast for yourself. Or bringing snacks to your workplace so you can have it when you like. Try breathing exercises, journaling, or meditation in your daily routine.

You can also start learning something you always wanted to pursue. Like joining an art class or a ballet class. You do not need to do it regularly. But small changes can make a big difference.

Also read: Morning routines are overrated. Here’s what you should do.

Add something cool. Subtract something boring.

Sometimes, we feel our life is good as it is. But in reality, it is far from it. You have been living the same life for so long that it feels boring and tasteless. So, you need to subtract all the boring elements of your life and add something that defines you and brings colors to it.

Try to change your wardrobe. Add a plant, an aquarium, a terrarium, or a valuable to your work desk. Redefine your life with what you think defines you. It could be the first step of glow-up. That is the opposite of being stuck in a life rut.

Pursue an outdoor activity.

Something is refreshing about touching the grass. No wonder all the self-help gurus preach doing it. When was the last time you went out in nature?

Believe it or not, you rewire your brain by spending more time in nature. The brain is a highly flexible organ and makes new neuron connections when you introduce it to new experiences.

Stepping out may not solve your problems. But it can most certainly give you a new perspective. So, you think about them and try to come up with a solution.

Take a good amount of sleep.

Some people do not have a good relationship with sleep. And it could be because of many factors. Some of those factors are routine, hormonal imbalances, being uncomfortable, screen time, anxiety issues, etc.

But good sleep is necessary for you. I could not sleep well for a few weeks. So, I booked an Airbnb at a nearby hill station. I visited there and slept through the weekend. I was much refreshed on Monday.  

You can do it too. If you are burnt out. Try getting out of your professional work environment, give yourself a much-needed break, and sleep. You will wake up to a new world altogether. You will have better strength and more mindfulness. Experience it for yourself.

Try a digital detox.

Digital detox is not another self-improvement hack. It can bring a dramatic change in your life. And you may not understand the poison you have been consuming until you step away from it.

Social media scrolls offer you a dopamine or a serotonin rush. With every scroll, you want more of that rush you felt. During this time, you are experiencing someone else’s emotions, artificial happiness, pain, frustration, or sadness.

This experience fries your brain before you even realize it. Shift your focus to your well-being. Don’t try to escape from your feelings. Feel what you are feeling and stop getting overwhelmed by digital content and someone else’s emotions.

Also read: 10 signs you need a digital detox.

Also read: 10 effective ways to digital detox.

Push yourself out of your comfort zone.

This is one of the best ways to break your life rut. Try something you have never done before. Again, it can be as small as making a new recipe for yourself or as big as trying skydiving. It is all about breaking the monotony of your life.

And there is nothing like pushing yourself out of your comfort zone. It gives you the zeal of life again. It offers you the same motivation and adrenaline rush that your life has been missing.

This will make a current flow through your brain. Making your brain and your body less lethargic and propel it towards making a change. Something, you need to move forward in life.

Conclusion.

When you are stuck with a stagnant syndrome or life rut, it is like being in a dark room. A room where you can only see darkness and no light. So, you feel there is nothing left in life and you can’t make a change.

But that is far from the truth. You can make a change. The only thing needed is to bring the motivation to make the change. Once you realize you are stuck, you need to see within and seek the power to do it. Because if you can’t no one else will.

Also read: How to live an interesting life?

Also read: 10 ways to maintain work-life balance without compromising either.

Also read: 10 things you wish you knew to improve your life.