In a Rut? How to get Unstuck
Ever feel like you are ‘just existing?’ Like your everyday routine is, just that, a routine and you can’t get yourself out of the rut? It happens to everyone! There could be a lot of reasons that we develop a sense of being stuck, whether a mistake was made and you are fearful of moving forward or you have been doing the same routine every day for a long while, it all contributes to the sense of being trapped. Luckily, there are some helpful tips to slowly help get yourself out of the rut and living again!
Let go of the past. Listen to the narrative you are telling yourself about past events. Are you blaming yourself or are you unable to forgive yourself for mistakes made? Take a minute to ask yourself why you are stuck in these memories and what you can do to live with them, accept them, and move through.
Change your perspective. Once you release your grip on the past, you will hopefully be able to see your new reality and feel freer to change. Open yourself up to new experiences, experiment with travel, meeting new people, and new exercise programs.
Start with small changes. The small changes might seem inconsequential, but focus on the little changes, such as drinking more fluids or getting more movement in the day. Change stimulates different parts of the brain that improve creativity and clarity. With the accumulation of small changes, it will lead you to fulfilling your goals and feeling unstuck.
Explore your purpose. Your purpose in life is not just your career, it’s what drives you and gives you joy in your life. Sit with what you want your life to be and set attainable goals to help you reach what your purpose is and how to integrate it into your life.
Believe in yourself. Trust yourself that you can reach your goals and your potential. It’s easy to self-sabotage because of deep rooted fears and limited beliefs. Start to recognize when those self-defeating thoughts rise and reframe those “I can’t” with “I can” (7 Ways to Get Yourself Unstuck | Psychology Today, n.d.).
If changing small daily habits or negative thought patterns are difficult, enlist some help from a professional who can help you navigate making productive changes in your life. Sometimes, asking for help is the first step in creating long lasting change in our lives (7 Ways to Get Yourself Unstuck | Psychology Today, n.d.).
Laura Cole, MSW, LCSW
Resources
7 Ways to Get Yourself Unstuck | Psychology Today. (n.d.). Www.psychologytoday.com. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/women-s-mental-health-matters/201612/7-ways-get-yourself-unstuck.