Ask The Readers: How To Get Unstuck
Stuck in a rut. That basically sums up how I’ve been feeling a bit lately.
Wake up, see Gwynn off to work, hop on the computer for a bit, get ready for the day, get the kids up, spend the day with them, make dinner, eat, put kids to bed, hop on the computer for a bit longer, bed, repeat.
Occasionally, there’s an extra activity in there like taking the kids to the zoo, the park or berry picking but those are few and far between. I know that this won’t change without me actively making a change. So this week is all about hopping out of this rut.
I’ve got a few ideas in mind. The first and only real plan is to make this coming weekend a family weekend where we finally take the kids camping. I’d also like to have picnics outside, explore our town a bit more and sit around a fire in our backyard on the cooler nights we’ve been having lately.
I’d love to hear from all of you, from anyone who has ever been in a rut or who’s working hard at digging their way out: How have you gotten yourself out of a rut?
What helped you get out of your rut? What are some fun activities to do in your local area that don’t cost an arm and a leg?
Please share in the comments!
Photo courtesy of: Digital Incense
15 Responses to “Ask The Readers: How To Get Unstuck”
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I think the best thing you can do IME is to write down all those experiences you miss, the ones you want to live. All of them, no matter how stupid they seem.
After you have a great list start with the easy ones day after day and find easy ways to make the others real.
Cheers!
IvánPérez´s last blog ..Validation
The best way that I know is to go on a little “mini-adventure” like you’ve described: Just go to a different part of town, or browse a store you’ve never shopped in. Try to find an interesting looking person and strike up a conversation. Be safe, yes, but DO talk to strangers!
Another thing to try is to cook something you’ve never prepared before, or go out to eat at a restaurant that you’ve never visited before. The main thing is just to do something…different.
Jay Schryer´s last blog ..One Love (My guest post on Southern Goddess)
Yes my summer has been that same way. Same old thing every day! Summer is almost over for our house and we still have not done anything as a family (other than family get togethers). We went swimming together yesterday. Going again on Thursday. And the weekend of the 15th, we will be at the family Lakehouse for 3 days. Short but much needed! It’s hard to get out of a rut!! Let me know how it works out for you!
When I feel like I’m in a rut, I try to change things up a bit in my life. Even changing small things can make a big difference. Also, I try to create plan for what I want to happen in my life and break it down into smaller, more manageable steps.
Positively Present´s last blog ..are you living in the future?
These are all great ideas for getting out of a rut. I think we all get in a rut from time to time, and it’s very easy to do when raising children and caring for family responsibilities.
I would add that it’s important to have “me time” and “couple time”, away from the kids. Me time may be having a “night out with the girls” once a month or so. Going for a splendid full-body massage or spa treatment once a month works wonders for me.
Just like guys/husbands need time out with their guy friends, ladies do too. When was the last time you and your girlfriends went dancing all by yourselves?
Planning fun couple time (without the kids) works wonders for couples. Plan a romantic overnight/weekend hotel stay with the hubby, with secret babysitter plans set in stone. Send your hubby on a “treasure hunt” on the day of the special night, where his second or third destination is the address of the hotel.
Trust me, this works great! The first treasure hunt destination can be to a wine store to just pick up a bottle of pre-paid wine (or to pick up specially-made chocolate covered strawberries), with a note attached giving the address of his final destination. It helps a lot to have a friendly relationship with the employees/manager at the wine store. It’s lots of fun!
Lin Burress @Telling It Like It Is´s last blog ..Allen Birthing Center, Dallas Midwife Birthing Options, American Association Birth Centers
I’m with Jay on this one… try the mini-adventures every once in a while. They help break up the monotony.
I know exactly what you mean, though. My life was starting to feel like Groundhog Day ’cause every day was the same. Now… not so much but, as you know, we’ve taken a rather drastic approach to the problem!
Lisis´s last blog ..Adventure: Is Your Comfort Zone Holding You Back?
I’m not exactly an expert on this category, because I get stuck in ruts pretty easily. I’m not exactly sure why that is, but I’m working on it. However, I have found that often times, I have some awesome new experiences by putting myself in the hands of a friend or family member. Surrender all expectations, and open myself to a new experience that I might not have tried or thought of. And if you don’t have anyone around to do that with, then maybe the key is to just take a walk, and commit to starting a conversation with a few strangers. You never know what might come out of it.
Trey – Swollen Thumb Entertainment´s last blog ..Why I Love Game Shows
Sometimes I just “ride out” the rut. Experience has taught me that “my” ruts are usually brought on by over commitment or being overly stressed with an abundance of responsibility. My “ruts” are my body’s way of saying SLOW DOWN; so sometimes I just ride them out…
That being said, I can get in a rut with my job or certain areas of my life i.e. housekeeping, home organization, etc. Once again, these ruts are from being “overwhelmed” i.e. not enough attention to these areas & then things literally pile up. Sometimes I deliberately do NOT make a plan. I just “DO IT”. If it is an matter of organization, I just start picking up & get to work. I tend to gain momentum & then the motivation & desire come. Sometimes I just have to go through the motions before the appropriate desire/feelings come & then I’m soaring towards another way of existence. I’m out of the rut!!
You guys are awesome!!!
Thank you so much for all the GREAT suggestions! I received some fabulous ideas through emails as well.
Just a quick recap:
Mini-adventures- Fabulous!
Swimming and weekends at the Lakehouse – I’m relaxed already
Planning & listing what I want to do and DOing it!
Me time/couple time/family time – Lin these suggestions are GREAT!
Following someone else’s lead or striking up a conversation with someone new – A bit out of my comfort zone but I love it!
Just riding it out – Nothing lasts forever so true. Thanks for your comment Sherry!
Thanks again everyone for your fabulous suggestions!!
Hi sherri,
Lin and Jay have some lovely suggestions. I must try them for sure.
I have been in a rut too..from taking care of the house,hubby and baby…and then my work…there seems to be no time for anything else. But i make it a point on the weekend that we all do go out and stroll a whole day. We just get ready and get out of the house…undecided..and whatever our mood says we do that.Sometimes just a long walk, a small picnic, an amusement park or just playing around in the mall. But whatever we do…we have gotta do it together…that just makes the routine of the weekdays not so boring.:)
Love your blog! this is my first read.
Zeenat {Positive Provocations}´s last blog ..Expectations or Contentment???
Sherri,
Thanks for the comment! I look forward to reading more of your blog-glad I found it:)
have a great day!
Trish
trish´s last blog ..Tuesday Night Links
@Zeenat – Welcome! Thank you for this great suggestion! I love the idea of having to spend one whole day together doing something out of the home. That’s great! I’m glad you’re enjoying our place here hope to see you back
@trish – You’re very welcome! I’m glad you like our place here as well. Thank you for the kind words.
There is the temporary ruts you are talking about, but I feel that my entire life up to two years, was in a rut. There was a lot of activity…education, career, kids, projects…but it was all about convention and shoulding. Nothing wrong with that of course. I leaped before looking two years ago…ruts happen…but they are seen as necessary downtime.
Great website, my first visit…looking forward to more.
k
Kaushik´s last blog ..A Gentle Honesty
@Kaushik – Welcome! Thank you so much for visiting and leaving such a kind message. I like the idea of necessary downtime, certainly a more positive way to look at being stuck.