11 signs youre in a rut (and how to get unstuck)

11 signs youre in a rut (and how to get unstuck)11 signs youre in a rut (and how to get unstuck)Not everyone whos in a rut realizes theyre in one. They just sense something isnt right. And many people who know theyre in a rut dont know how to climb out of it. Regardless of which situation someone finds themselves in, its important they make changes to ensure their long-term health and happiness at home, at work, and in life overall. Well look at signs you could be in a rut and offer suggestions for getting out and getting back in the groove.Follow Ladders on FlipboardFollow Ladders magazines on Flipboard covering Happiness, Productivity, Job Satisfaction, Neuroscience, and more1. You dream about getting away- and not just on vacationEveryone daydreams now and then. But if youre always wishing you were somewhere else, you may be in a rut. The surprise and novelty of doing something spontaneous fills our brains with the motivation neurotransmitter, dopamine, which makes us feel excited , curious and adventurous. Spontaneity also gives us a feeling of autonomy, and that sense of control can boost motivation, too.2. You dont look forward to much, other than sleeping or getting through whatever youre doingIf you regularly feel like you dont have anything to look forward to, start to look for beauty in what lies around you. Instead of waiting for something monumental to happen, keep an eye out for the little things that life has to offer. These can make a big difference.3.No matter how hard you try, it feels like youre going nowhereIts not uncommon to feel stuck in the hamster wheel, especially at work. Our brains are wired to resist change, preferring to fall back on old habits. But visualizing our goals and choosing new strategies to achieve them creates new nerven betreffend pathways in our brains. The more we use them, the stronger the pathways become and the more we can get beyond whats familiar, safe and often stifling.4. You look at other peoples lives with env yIn the age of social media and curated photo collections, its easy to compare your life to others. But its important to shift your focus back to you. That could mean repeating a positive, empowering phrase about yourself, eating healthier meals or even pampering yourself just because.5. Even though you check things off your to-do list, it doesnt feel like youre getting much doneIf you feel little sense of accomplishment no matter how much you do, the issue may be that youre always aiming for perfection. To combat this, silence your internal critic and be happy just getting things done. Youll feel productive and better about not being so hard on yourself. And remember, theres always another day or project on which to improve.6. You want to get your creative juices flowing, but feel like youre running on emptyYoure feeling spent and uninspired, and you cant shake the feeling. Or can you? By setting aside an hour or two a week to devote to a passion project, youll be able to channel y our energy into something youwantto do versus something youneedto do. Its a true expression of yourself and can reignite your zest for life by giving you a refreshed or new perspective.7. You feel bored most of the timeIts time to take a withdrawal from your memory bank. Think of something you did in the past that got you excited, and picture yourself doing it. It can even be something from your youth. Once you pinpoint that activity, go do it. This method for getting out of your rut is called the flip technique, and it helps turn your discontentment into something that makes you feel happy again.8. You regularly choose to stay home instead of going out with friendsIts one thing to be a homebody, but its quite another to never go out. Try examining your work-life balance, which can help you determine whether at least one of these aspects of your life is vibrant. Ask yourself whether youre engaging in the same activities over and over. See whats on your schedule, and make sure you ha ve new opportunities to look forward to.9. You make excuses for not doing things, such as I dont have timeWhen you find yourself believing you cant do something, dig deeper to find out whats really stopping you. Is it fear? A past experience? Lack of confidence? By looking within, youll become conscious of that limiting belief the first step toward getting past it. Try journaling about daily thoughts and experiences to figure out whats really going on.10. You often think of yourself as a martyr, putting others needs first to the detriment of your ownHelping others is admirable, but constantly putting their needs ahead of your own isnt. Its an unhealthy pattern you need to break. Make a list of the things that make you feel like a martyr or, worse, a victim. Recognize your role in each situation, then brainstorm ways to change them. Check them off the list as you do. This way, youre taking control of the situation rather than letting it control you.11. You dont see the purpose of an ything you doIf Whats the point? dominates your inner dialogue, try getting outside more often. Research shows that exposure to our natural settings changes the brain to reduce anxiety and thwart depression. Brain activity in the areas associated with critical thinking diminishes, and nature helps turn off our physiological stress response to put us in a more restful state.This article first appeared on Netcredit.SourcesLuna, T. (2016)10 Signs That Youre in a Rut.psychologytoday.comLuna, T. (2016)10 Ways to Break Out of a Rut (Right Now).psychology.comSelf-Determination Theory. (2016).Home Page.selfdeterminationtheory.orgChu, M. (2017)13 Signs Youre deckenfries in a Rut.lifehack.orgGrady, A. (2017)Feeling Stuck in a Rut? Heres How to Burst Out and Thrive.entrepreneur.comBridges, F. (2016)6 Ways to Get Out of a Rut.forbes.comBoogaar, K. (2017)Feel Stuck in a Rut? Do these 3 Things.inc.comKnaus, B. (2012)Are You in a Rut? Take the Test.psychologytoday.comBexley, S. (2017)Heres How You Get Out of That Rut.dailymail.comLife Coach Spotter. (2017)Stuck in a Rut The Complete to Moving Your Life Forward.lifecoachspotter.comStulberg, B. (2016)Feeling Down, Stuck, or In a Rut? Get out in Nature, Says Science.medium.comYou might also enjoyNew neuroscience reveals 4 rituals that will make you happyStrangers know your social class in the first seven words you say, study finds10 lessons from Benjamin Franklins daily schedule that will double your productivityThe worst mistakes you can make in an interview, according to 12 CEOs10 habits of mentally strong people