We all go through periods where we feel like we might be stuck in a rut particularly during Coid-19 challenges.

In fact, it’s not uncommon to feel like you’re just going through the motions, treading water, or jogging in place. You’re doing the same old things, but it doesn’t seem like you are actually getting anywhere. Things that used to excite you start to feel less interesting. Instead of moving forward toward your goals, you’re remaining stagnant. These feelings can be frustrating. But, there are things that you can do to not only figure out why you’re stuck, but also learn how to get motivated and excited again.

How to overcome feeling stuck in a rut.

Recognising the Signs You’re Stuck in a Rut

Being “stuck” is something you may not even notice at first. These feelings often build slowly over time. Day after day, you might follow your same routines. Eventually, it feels less like you are working toward something and more like you’re just killing time. Here are some of the signs that you might be stuck in a rut.

• Every day seems the same. You might even have trouble remembering what day of the week it is. Is it Monday, or is it Friday? It doesn’t matter because your days feel indistinguishable from one another and this is the case at this present time.

• You feel like you are just trying to get through another day. Your goal is to keep putting one foot ahead of the other until the day is done. You don’t feel excited or inspired.

• You feel unmotivated. You might want to take on new projects or engage in creative tasks, but it feels like your motivation has run dry. You just can’t seem to get started.¹

• You feel unfulfilled. Life feels dull and boring. You want to try new things, but you don’t know where to begin.

• You want to change, but fear the temporary discomfort that comes with it. You know that changing things up will make you happier in the long run, but you keep

sticking with the status quo because it means you won’t have to risk any pain or failure.

Sometimes these feelings may be more than just being stuck in a rut. Such feelings may be signs of something more serious, such as depression.

Finding the Source of Your Rut

While you might recognise that you are stuck in a rut, you might not know what the next step should be. One thing to remember is that not all ruts are the same. Figure out what’s causing your discontentment before you make any drastic changes in your life. Consider working cognitive behavioural therapist to help you with this.

For instance, you might feel like you are in a rut with your romantic partner. Or perhaps your job is the source of your feelings, or the isolation or working from home or living alone during the pandemic. Even your health, your family situation, your friendships, your hobbies, or your home can cause unhappiness.

Don’t criticise or berate yourself once you understand the root cause of your feelings. It’s easy to minimise the problem and try to make your feelings seem trivial. You might think: “I have a great life,” or “I don’t have a right to feel this way.” But, these thoughts are counterproductive and keep you trapped in the rut. While things may be “just fine” as they are, if you’re not satisfied, it’s time to make changes and regain your spark.

Getting Out of a Rut

Once you’ve acknowledged what you’re feeling, start looking for ways to get unstuck. There are a number of ways to break the negative cycle and move forward. Here are a few ideas on how to get out of a rut.

Take Care of Yourself

When you feel stuck in a rut, combat it by taking care of yourself. Self-compassion is critical to mental wellness. Start with a quick assessment of how well you have been taking care of you. Have you been eating well? Are you sleeping enough? Have you been spending enough time with people who care about and support you? Are you exercising?