As long as you are a human on earth, then you will relate to this. Virtually everyone has that moment of turbulence, that period of trials, that time when everything is seemingly in shambles. When you find yourself in such a situation, when you feel stuck in problems, how do you deal with it? Do you remain in self-doubt or do you find ways of shaking it off and bouncing back? We share our top tips on how to get out of a rut in life if you’re feeling stuck and how to get back on track.
How to get out of a rut in life
One fact is that life itself operates based on balance. At least if you observe closely, you’ll notice that. For every “A”, there is a “Z”. Also, for every rain, there is sunlight, for every darkness, there is light and for every beginning, there is an end.
You might have been dealing with some real-life issues; like when you have several pressing needs, yet your finances are not encouraging. You see yourself far from achieving your goals, your relationship is in shambles, or maybe you are nowhere near where you desire to be. Now, you feel too helpless because, despite all this chaos, you still have no clue about what to do next.
Always remember that those things are part of life. They happen from time to time. But they don’t last forever because life is a movement. Nothing is constant or permanent!
You just have to keep your head high and hang on until the better days arrive. That is the greatest way to dance to the different tunes of life. Also, that’s a good way to maintain the balance that is needed to keep surviving.
You might not necessarily put an abrupt end to those difficulties. You just have to learn how to gradually shake them off, or manage them whenever they come.
However, it is actually not so easy to find a way out of those difficulties. It’s often a challenge to get back on track. Yes, that’s understandable.
But the good news is that it is very possible to get out of a rut in life. And as a matter of fact, that is the aim of this article (who would’ve guessed?). Let’s get started!
1. Examine Your Life To Ascertain Where, Why And How You Are Stuck
Yes, this is very crucial in those trying times. When you feel low-spirited, you obviously need some quiet time for yourself. You need to examine your life and assess your thoughts. Therefore, you should create the best time for you to meditate and think about this.
This meditation is important because you have to find out where you are stuck and how. It’s probably the most important step to take if you want to move forward.
While you reflect, ask yourself some questions like:
- What do I need to fix?
- Which area of my life is pulling me down?
- What do I need to quit?
- What are those things that no longer serve me?
- Why exactly am I stuck?
- What is the way forward?
- What am I doing right and what am I not doing right?
- Do I own my choices or are my choices dependent on others?
- What are those things that distract me?
- Do I care enough for myself, and my well being?
- Is there light for me at the end of the tunnel?
These questions will obviously make you understand the situation better.
By meditating in this manner, you will find out WHERE and HOW you went wrong, and hence, you can easily know WHY you are stuck.
That is a fundamental step to take to get to a solution.
2. Find Out The Things You Can Control
It is certain that there are things that are beyond your control in life. Paying attention to such things and trying so hard to control those things will only be counterproductive.
It’s high time you focused on only those things you can control or change. It will save you a lot of energy to be more productive.
The best way to ensure that you stick to only what you can control is by seeking to understand;
- Your behavioral makeup,
- Who you really are,
- Your disposition, and finally,
- Your strengths and weaknesses.
When you become self-aware in this manner, you can easily know what you can control and what you can’t. Only then can you channel your energy towards the things you can control and get the results you’re looking for.
3. Find Out Your Abilities And Use Them Where They Are Required
Now, this is very important. Especially if you are yet to acknowledge your abilities.
If you are into any activity, be it a job or a business, and you feel sad or unfulfilled, that means you are in the wrong place. It simply means your abilities don’t lie there. In other words, that is not where you are meant to be.
You have to figure out where your skills lie and chase it. Make maximum use of your abilities and stop wasting them where you shouldn’t. As a matter of fact, one of the reasons you’re in that rut is because you are in a place where your skills or abilities are not appreciated.
Therefore, discover your abilities and utilize them where they are required. You will certainly get out of that situation and become happier and fulfilled.
4. Be Positive
Remember, most times when you are passing through hard times, your motivation drops. You become more pessimistic than ever. You doubt yourself to the core… That is exactly why you remain in that rut! Because you have this negative voice in your head telling you that you can’t step out.
Those same negative thoughts will give you a thousand excuses to remain in that dull, nasty situation.
Until you fight those negative thoughts, until you become more positive about yourself, and until you start believing you can change your situation, then you can’t get out of that dark place.
5. Make It Fresh!
Many times, when life gets too boring, we fail to discover why. Sometimes, this is because we search for the reasons or solutions far away. It may be unknown to us that our problem is just within our territory and that the solution is not far-fetched.
A good example that befits this situation is living in an old room and using the same furniture for decades. If you occupy such a room, then you should not be surprised when your life feels strangely boring.
The environment you stay in can go a long way to affect your mood and general feelings. A neat environment will always make you happier. Therefore, take action and act differently this time.
You can start by changing that old furniture and doing some de-cluttering. You can change the look of things in the house by repainting the walls. Also, consider new decorations, and so on.
The idea is to make a difference. You may not know, but those little things matter a lot.
6. Discover The Source Of Your Inspiration
When you are inspired, you will surely make a change. Your life will be transformed for good. Now, the best way to get out of a rut in life is to discover the source of your inspiration.
Some people get inspired by reading motivational books or listening to podcasts that tell motivational stories. Yours might be to travel to a new place or to visit a museum and see some lovely artefacts.
There are lots of things that can inspire you, even things you never expected. Just try and find out what those things are. Once you do, you’ll see how interesting life will get.
7. Try Out Something New
You’ve obviously been doing stuff, but all your actions only take you round and round the same spot. You’ve been repeating the same thing that doesn’t work for you, and hence, your life became so boring over time.
Now is the right time to effect a change. Try something new. Go out of your normal circle, try something outside the box! By trying something new, you will get exposed to greater opportunities. You will have other options to try out. Dare to step outside of your comfort zone, that is the only place where growth happens.
Moreover, there is no better route to self-discovery than trying out something new. Remember, there are thousands of capacities in you, it only takes you to keep delving into different things to discover those capacities.
8. Embrace The Law Of Attraction
The main idea behind this law is that we bring upon ourselves what we channel our minds and energy to.
Life is all about different auras, vibes, and energies. Also, it’s a fact that you get what you give… When you give out positive energy, you attract positive energy. However, the moment the energy you emit is negative, all you’ll get in return will be negative.
Always remember that what you perceive your reality to be is what it becomes. It is now left for you to perceive your reality from a positive angle.
To ensure this, you have to embrace the law of attraction. It will help you shift your mindset towards the positive end. Ultimately, this will drive you to achieve whatever you want.
9. Let Go Of Past Unpleasant Memories
Now, this is the best tip for you to bounce back from that uneasiness and get back on track.
When you keep considering those nasty episodes that’s already in the past, there is no way you can bounce back, and consequently, you will not move on… You’ll simply remain stuck!
You have to find a way to let go of those memories. Though it might be difficult, you just have to put an effort towards it.
One way to make it easier for yourself is to get something more fun to think about whenever you have such unpleasant flashbacks. Get a new routine and dedicate those dull times to your new routines. You will surely feel better and move on for good as time goes on.
10. Stay Motivated
Are you anxious and really confused that you question almost everything? Also, do you keep doubting yourself or your ability to make a difference or reach your full potential?
Most particularly, you basically lack the urgency and drive to take a step out!
Well, being in that kind of condition can really get you stuck. That is because your drive and enthusiasm are declining or probably because you are afraid to fail.
The one way to change this situation is to find a reason to keep pushing.
And how can you do that?
It’s simply by staying motivated. But how?
Of course, there are lots of reasons to get back up and put yourself together. That same reason you are afraid to fail is the same reason you should get up and face your doubts and fears. You can always make your doubts and fears become your greatest motivation. Don’t let those keep you down!
11. Love And Appreciate Yourself
There is no way you can get yourself in one piece in order to get out of a rut in life if you don’t appreciate yourself.
Although it is very difficult to really love and appreciate yourself in those hard times, if you must get out of that situation, you must learn to see the good in you and appreciate it.
You can start by looking at the mirror and telling yourself things like;
- I’m bright and so is my future,
- I am beautiful/handsome,
- I’m smart,
- I don’t give up,
- I always bounce back,
- I’m positive about life, etc.
- Yes this is hard, but I can do hard things,
- I might not be where I want to be, and that’s okay, I will get there in time.
Even if those lovely things you tell yourself sound unreal to you, don’t stop saying them every day. With time, it will definitely get into your mind and you will eventually start to believe and appreciate yourself for good.
One of the reasons self-love is important to you is because it will boost your self-confidence. When you have confidence in yourself, you become more positive about your personality, your life, and even the people around you. With this kind of positive mindset, you will start to believe that you can achieve anything.
Now, what else do you need to get out of a rut in life if not to always believe you can?
That is the power of a positive mindset that comes with self-love!
Final Thoughts
Always remember that no matter the problem, no matter the situation, no matter how complicated it is, you can always make it out!
That rut in your life is just a phase. You can always get out of it if you get your mindset right, take the right actions, believe in yourself a little more, and stay motivated!
Also read about:
- 11 Tips On How To Invest In Yourself And Change Your Life
- How To Have An Abundance Mindset: 10 Habits To Cultivate
- 12 Signs You Are On The Wrong Path In Life And Should Change Direction
- How To Boost Self-Confidence: 15 Tips To Start Implementing Today