How to get out of a rut
It’s something that happens to us all at some point in our lives, and it can seem never-ending at times. Finding your way out of a rut can be particularly challenging, particularly in these dark, cold winter months. Leaving for work in the dark, arriving home in the dark… in fact, most days it seems as though it doesn't even get light at all. This can have a negative effect on our ability to motivate ourselves and it’s almost as if we go into some kind of hibernation mode. Whether it is fitness, work, or a creative project, it can be easy to fall into the “I’m too tired today, I’ll do it tomorrow” attitude- which is fine on occasion, but when this becomes a habit of making false promises to ourselves, it becomes harder and harder to pull yourself out of that mindset.
January is particularly hard, especially for the lucky ones who have enjoyed a real break over Christmas and New Year. Whether you have gone back home for the festive period or just been in ‘holiday mode’ the whole time it is easy to fall completely out of routine with fitness, your diet, uni work or projects and it can be hard to switch back on again.
As someone who has certainly struggled with ruts in the past, I have done some research and compiled a list of tactics to help get you back on your feet (figuratively or literally) and out of the rut.
1) Set smaller goals
Making small progress is still progress; often at times I find that it’s enough to help motivate me to do more. If you are trying to get back into a painting that you have been putting off, set yourself a small goal for the first day back at it, e.g. just do the wash or a certain detail. If your new year’s resolution is to get fit or go to the gym more but you’re struggling to start, try setting yourself short routines or a certain goal to achieve each week. Going to the gym for 15 minutes is better than not going at all.
2) Find your soundtrack
If you are anything like me, music is one of the strongest motivators around. I have specific playlists for when I work out, for when I paint, and for when I do household chores. Find the music that you usually listen to when in the zone for whatever activity it is and you might find your motivation. Read more about the synergy between music and art here.
3) Change your scenery
A change of scenery can help switch on your mind and engage your brain. If you’re bored at the gym, take your workout outdoors. If you want to write some more pages of your book, apply for jobs, or develop your business plan, but you have been struggling to get into it at home, take your laptop elsewhere (for me, a coffee shop with a relaxed atmosphere, Wi-Fi, and good quality coffee does the trick - if you are in Manchester, try Takk).
4) Clear your mind
It could be that you have too much on your mind to focus on getting back into something. If your head is cluttered with all the things you have to do you might find it hard to meaningfully start even one of them. Try some mindfulness tactics such as meditation, a walk on your own, or even some colouring (I find art to be a great form of mindfulness - read how it can be a form of therapy here).
5) Remind yourself why
Why did you start? Did you have dreams of writing a successful novel? Building your own business? Making improvements to your health and fitness? Whatever the reason you started, it was powerful enough to motivate you to begin with so it will be powerful enough to motivate you again.
Do you have any other ideas on how to get out of a rut? Let me know below!