Stuck in a Rut?

It's the same things your whole life. "Clean up your room," "Stand up straight," "Pick up your feet.", "Take it like a man," "Be nice to your sister," "Don't mix beer and wine, ever." Oh yeah, and, "Don't drive on the railroad track.”

                                                                                        -Bill Murray Groundhog Day

Do things often just seem the same day after day like you are living the movie Groundhog Day?  Your days seem to blend into each other creating one long day.  You have lost your spark and your enthusiasm has faded. The first thing you think of in the morning is hitting the snooze button rather than face another day of the same.

Often in our attempt to control life, life ends up controlling us.  We develop our routines and never get outside the box we build for ourselves.  Work can consume us. Family makes us responsible. We develop a one dimensional life where we eat the same food, read the same papers and watch the same TV shows. Even our conversations are the same as we tell the same stories and discuss the same topics.

It’s easy to get stuck in a rut.  Our routines are familiar and safe.  We get comfortable in the predictability of our lives.  It doesn’t take much effort to continue doing what we know.  We also have plenty of company as we surround ourselves with like minded people.

I know that breaking out of our rut can mean taking a chance of making a mistake. The unfamiliar is not predictable.  You might not like Sushi, that independent film might be a little to thought provoking, the art show could be erotic, but it won’t kill you.  It’s time to get out of your box. 

One step at a time, that’s all it takes. Getting out of your rut doesn’t mean you have to throw your life into upheaval. Start with changing one thing or trying one new thing.

It’s simple, choose a different item on the menu, buy a different type of book, walk on a different block, come on you can do it.  Some things you will like and some you won’t, that’s ok.  As you allow new things into your life you will develop a new sense of joy and excitement.  When you wake up in the morning you won’t want to hit the snooze, you will be excited about what new thing you can discover in the day.

Let’s get out of the rut, break out of the box and live a life of discovering the possibilities and adventures of life.  As you do, you will be amazed the effect it will have.  You will start having new dreams, your energy will increase and you will see improvements in your life.  You will have more fun with your relationships; do better at the job, and overall feel better about life.

Instead of looking at life at the same way, look for what you can do different in your day. Get motivated, break free and do one new thing today.  Just one thing and you are on your way to getting out of your rut.

Devlyn Steele.