What brings you out of a rut?

[Brobot 1,436]

What brings you out of a long unproductive cycle? For me its a nice long shower and a intense trip to the gym! Nothing better to drag you out of sadness then progress on the path of self improvement!!!

[ShadOBabe 19,012]

I’ve never found something that shakes off my ruts, sadly. I usually just have to wait it out. But I should try your method. They’re building a gym not 5 minutes from my house. I should sign up for it.

[Here No Longer 5,276]

I was in a rut once, and then I found love...  

 

But I'm still in a much smaller rut waiting for everything to work out.

Edited November 3, 2019 by Spider Demon

[Troblems 5,619]

I generally have to examine what’s making me unhappy and why. I can usually work to fix that problem with those around me, or by working on what I’m doing, but sometimes it’s not something I can fix myself. I’ve found counseling helps in those situations, but the first step is realizing that I’m in a funk in the first place.

[SharpWit 2,709]

A good walk offers me a chance of fresh air and brief freedom. I can let my mind wander for a much needed distraction, look about and come up with new situations for inspiration, or just collect my thoughts and think something through.

[Ashen Pathfinder 16,162]

I'm still trying to figured that out, TBH. I mean my rut has to do with my hobbies; specifically things like video games, books, or anime series/movies. I WANT to do these things and the times I do I end up enjoying myself, but the problem is that on most days I just don't do them. I can't push myself to do the things I really enjoy; even on days I'm doing nothing. It's quite frustrating and I have yet to find the solution to that. ^^;

[Dreambiscuit 10,095]

This is definitely the eternal question. I agree that self-improvement like a trip to the gym can be great to clear the cobwebs, and even when it’s exhausting there’s usually enough energy left over to do something productive afterward. Some people even come out of it with more energy than when they started (which has yet to happen to me, unfortunately!) My favorite way to get out of a rut is to do something I don’t normally do, like try a new food dish, get my hair re-styled, force myself to be more outgoing, or wear something just a little outside my fashion-comfort zone. Some of this can jump-start my normal routine and reignite interest in my hobbies. Vacation and travel are the number one thing for me though, but I can’t always afford that, so it’s the little things that often have to suffice.  

[Emerald Heart 24,944]

Tom Holland, he is so beautiful and perfect, my lil Spidey.

Also reading fanfiction involving a ship I am in love with. Or seeing the two actually end up together on TV and get all lovey-dovey. Soooo cute.

[Partialgeek514 5,011]

I find reading scriptures helps me, particularly the New Testament or Book of Mormon. I haven't been reading them as much recently, which probably explains why I've felt more blah for a little while. 

[Eniac 402]

I always try and approach the day with the attitude: 'Start the day the way you wish to end it'. If I get up make my bed, shower, get changed into different clothes and start planning any projects or tasks I am more likely to continue doing that throughout the day, especially if you remain semi productive until lunchtime. If you stay in your pajamas and lay in bed for ages you're in that lazy mindset for the rest of the day. I am still in education so most weekdays of the year I have the incentive to go to school.

However, it is also nearly impossible to be productive every single day of your life and you can't assume that you will be. So I always have lazy days actually scheduled in, mostly Saturdays, where I won't go outside, I won't meet friends, I will do nothing except watch TV, Youtube or netflix for the entire day. I don't feel bad or guilty because this is one of the most important days of the fortnight a full day to regenerate (They can be more or less frequent depending on stresses and work load).

These two 'habits' are there to prevent getting into a rut (I also constantly list everything I think I should do so that I never forget something, I organise the next day the night before and tell myself I am going to complete these tasks) If I am in a rut it means that I have neglected the above two things. To get myself back in the rhythm I call on a friend or organize something I want to do in the morning, this way I start that day doing something. That night I will be able to go off of that semi productive mindset and restart the cycle.

The amount of days you need to relax and recuperate depends of the person, the weather, their health. Luckily for me my parents where pretty good at judging when my siblings and I needed a blob day, so I have kept up the pattern. However, until recently I always neglected these relax days worth and would shout at myself for being lazy and not achieving my potential, I am slowly starting to change my mindset to a healthier one. The important thing is to understand yourself, especially mentally, as only you can know everything about you, it's something I am starting to do now and I am feeling much better for it.

[Lucky Bolt 35,085]

I dont get stuck in ruts often, but when I do, my friends somehow always find a way to bring me up and out of it. 

[Dark Horse 12,962]

Usually this depends on what kind of rut I'm in. Some are harder to get out of than others. Keeping active is certainly a tried and true method. I personally find swimming to be the most therapeutic; rejuvenating me both physically and mentally. Sometimes it can be as simple as taking a walk for some fresh air. The spirit needs fulfillment, and so whenever you're feeling that stagnant rut within, it's probably best to just shake things up a bit and try something else.

[Cash In 22,508]

Sleep. I'm basically half-awake 24/7, so sleep is very cathartic. Coffee is close second.

Edited October 14, 2021 by Cash_In

[Early Sunsets 2,107]

Sleep. That's it. Once I get sad or angry or anything like that, I stay that way for the rest of the day and I have to sleep it off. And if sleep doesn't do anything (which only ever happens if it's something super serious), then I just have to suffer and wait a few days for it to go away (or weeks in some cases).

[The Recherche 29,969]

Truthfully told? Not much, if anything. I often just have to grit my teeth and get through it as best as I can.

[Mini 453]

a shower will usually wake me up and let me focus on being productive

[Prometheus 3,038]

I agree with you @Brobot, going to the gym and working out is a lot more therapeutic than most people realise.  

[CosmicHooves 2,705]

Coffee I guess. lol

Beer does the opposite.

[Splashee 28,566]

13 hours ago, SharpWit said:

A good walk offers me a chance of fresh air and brief freedom. I can let my mind wander for a much needed distraction, look about and come up with new situations for inspiration, or just collect my thoughts and think something through.

Though, I'm trying to do this every day, I agree, it really works!

I don't find myself unproductive, since I have too many interests, I just swap interest and smile!

But depression does exist, and I have to beat it with a hammer from time to time!

[Brobot 1,436]

1 hour ago, Prometheus said:

I agree with you @Brobot, going to the gym and working out is a lot more therapeutic than most people realise.  

Purge all of those negative energy's!!!

 

[Xe__or 4,377]

Music; loud music usually.

[EpicEnergy 23,224]

Nothing really, I've been stuck in a seemly bottomless rut for years now, although I feel like I've been stuck in one my whole life. Makes me wonder if life itself is just a huge rut and the only way of escape is death.

[TBD 17,256]

Technically I would say death, but I’ll take sleep since meh close enough.

[SharpWit 2,709]

I was also thinking about this again while I was in the shower, and those can be helpful too because you're usually alone in a more relaxed setting and the water drowns out other noise in the world.

[Brobot 1,436]

16 hours ago, Dreambiscuit said:

This is definitely the eternal question. I agree that self-improvement like a trip to the gym can be great to clear the cobwebs, and even when it’s exhausting there’s usually enough energy left over to do something productive afterward. Some people even come out of it with more energy than when they started (which has yet to happen to me, unfortunately!) My favorite way to get out of a rut is to do something I don’t normally do, like try a new food dish, get my hair re-styled, force myself to be more outgoing, or wear something just a little outside my fashion-comfort zone. Some of this can jump-start my normal routine and reignite interest in my hobbies. Vacation and travel are the number one thing for me though, but I can’t always afford that, so it’s the little things that often have to suffice.  

Seeing the world is probably the most fulfilling thing you can do! Seeing the extent of human achievement is such a great motivator! 

3 minutes ago, SharpWit said:

I was also thinking about this again while I was in the shower, and those can be helpful too because you're usually alone in a more relaxed setting and the water drowns out other noise in the world.

Can we get a shower thoughts section please?