Tina Fey
Life can get repetitive.
It’s really common for us all to go through phases where we’re feeling flat and pretty uninspired.
We may even daydream about packing up and starting again in a desperate attempt to break the monotony.
But other than quitting your job and moving to Italy to live ‘la dolce vita’, what else can you do?
Luckily there are far less drastic steps that can still have a powerful impact.
And it all starts by putting a stop to certain behaviors that may be doing you no favors!
1) Doomscrolling on social media
Social media can be a wonderful tool for connecting and broadening your horizons.
But sadly, it can have a fairly damaging effect on our mental health too.
And when we don’t particularly feel like we’re living our #bestlifeever then we quite simply don’t need that shit.
It’s all too tempting to look around at other people’s lives (or should I say, what they’re pretending their life is!) and feel ours is lacking.
Playing comparisonitus is going to leave you feeling even more stuck.
It turns our attention away from our own life (and getting to work on it) and onto other people’s.
Instead of spending hours scrolling through your feed, make a positive swap.
Commit to using that time in ways that bring your focus back on you.
- Write gratitude lists for what you do have in life
- Look back over the last few years and acknowledge your achievements
- Remind yourself of your best qualities
- List the skills you have
I promise you that as soon as you start to remember that you have plenty going for you, you’ll feel more galvanized to make positive changes.
2) Never deviating from your regular routine
You know what they say:
“Nothing changes if nothing changes”.
It’s that painstakingly obvious it surely doesn’t need pointing out?! But the trouble is that so many of us still need the reminder from time to time.
We feel that life has become dull. But we’re not really doing anything to shake things up a little.
A routine can be a very useful tool. It gives us structure. And it helps us to get things done.
But when we rely too heavily on routine, it can feel like a chain around our neck too.
The problem is that it doesn’t allow for spontaneity, which is what keeps life interesting!
So start to mix things up a little.
If you have become militant in your routine, don’t be afraid to introduce some new things.
That includes going to new places and trying new things…
3) Always going to the same places and meeting the same people
I’ll let you into a little secret:
You can love someone and still occasionally get sick of them.
Sometimes we need some fresh company in order to get a new perspective on life.
Meeting new people offer us new ways of seeing things. At the very least, it opens the door to new conversations.
That certainly doesn’t mean ditching existing friends, but why not meet some new ones too?
You could:
- Join a club or organization
- Get involved in your community
- Go to meet-ups
- Take part in networking events
- Hop on Bumble BFF (yep, even dating apps have services designed solely to make new pals)
If you’d rather not meet anyone new right now, that’s ok.
Just go to new places.
Don’t go to the same old bar, try out a new one. Take a road trip. Get out into nature.
Going somewhere new can feel expansive.
You know what they say, a change is as good as a holiday!
4) Lying in and oversleeping
Don’t get me wrong, I really like my sleep.
I need at least 7 or 8 hours or I can’t even function properly. So you’ll never find me dismissing the importance of getting enough quality rest.
But it can go too far.
If sleep seems to be your favourite pastime then it can actually point to a low mood.
It may be a sign that you are lacking enthusiasm and motivation.
Although that might be down to the fact you feel stuck in a rut, it’s not doing you any favors.
The more idle you become, the less energy you may find that you have.
Instead, commit to getting up at a reasonable time and getting started with your day.
Devising a morning routine to support you may give you a little boost that inspires you.
It can include things like:
- Meditation
- Listening to a motivational podcast
- Playing uplifting music
- Doing some stretches or exercise
- Reading a chapter of a book
- Preparing a healthy breakfast
The name of the game is setting yourself up for the day in the best way possible.
Because as we’ll see next, self-care is essential.
5) Neglecting your health and fitness
If we’re feeling hemmed in, it can be kind of annoying to be given seemingly unexciting suggestions like self-care.
But we can’t overlook the importance of these basics.
They can create almost instant changes to our mood and outlook on life.
The body and mind connection is a powerful one.
When you’re not eating right or exercising enough you’ll likely feel sluggish.
Something as simple as starting a new exercise regime can help you feel like you are taking more control of your life.
Plus it brings with it a whole host of endorphins to get you pumped up.
Don’t underestimate the small things which you can take charge of. They can offer you the lift that you need at just the right time.
6) Choosing inaction over making mistakes
It’s time to ask yourself how you got into a rut.
It can happen when we’re not striving for anything that feels meaningful to us. Personal evolution often plays a key role in our overall life satisfaction.
Do you have any goals or objectives in life?
If not, what is holding you back?
Nobody likes the bitter sting of defeat. But taking a chance on anything is a surefire way to spice up your life.
When we opt to take an opportunity we also accept that it usually comes with a risk.
If you are so afraid of failing, that’s a price you aren’t prepared to pay.
But you can’t have one without the other.
If you are in a rut, then it suggests you could be letting indecision or fear of “getting it wrong” paralyze you into inaction.
If so, it’s time to push your limits…
7) Staying in your comfort zone
Adventure is exciting and it’s also scary. It’s another one of those yin-yan facts of life.
There is comfort in sticking within our existing limits. But let’s face it, it’s boring too.
- Do you try new things?
- Are you saying yes to challenges?
- Are you putting yourself out there?
If the answer is no, then it’s understandable you feel stuck.
In order to grow we need to be prepared to be constantly learning.
That means being curious and open to the world around us and being prepared to grab it with both hands.
Try making a list of a few things you’ve always wanted to try, or things you’ve always wanted to do.
Consider if any of the following may inject some much-needed interest back into your life:
- Getting to grips with new hobbies
- Taking a course
- Applying for new jobs
- Volunteering
The key is not to limit yourself.
Because the truth is that life holds almost limitless potential. You just need to start to see that again.
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