Getting Out of a Rut

Have you ever felt yourself falling into a rut - whether that be physically, emotionally, creatively, or spiritually? Yeah, me too. To be honest, I'm in the process of coming out of one right now. There are times in all of our lives when we feel disconnected. We still walk into work every morning, go to church every week, do our thing, sing our songs, and maybe even attempt to work on something we have been passionate about in the past - but something still feels different, something is a bit off. You're in a rut. Something we have to remember is that being in a rut is common thing, and we don't have to feel alone when we find ourselves in one. The first step in getting yourself out of that rut is to ask yourself:

1. What caused the rut in the first place?

It's important to ask yourself: Why am I feeling this way? For me, one of the most common causes of getting stuck in a rut is doing the same thing for too long. Maybe you need to switch up your routine! Something I like to do is change up my daily routine in small ways like getting up at a different time, trying new recipes, and picking up old hobbies that I no longer make time for. Small changes make a bigger difference than you may think!

2. Get outside 

The outdoors have always been a way to help me feel rejuvenated and alive! Humans aren't meant to be confined inside all of the time - it's so important to make time to get some fresh air. Two of my favorite outdoor activities are hiking and riding bikes. Choose something that you personally enjoy and go for it! The change of scenery and breath of fresh air you'll find will give you a new perspective and help you see God in the little things around you.

3. Remember that getting uncomfortable can be a good thing 

I'm naturally a more quiet and reserved person, so change isn't something that comes easily for me. But sometimes change is essential to get us out of a rut. When we sit in the background and choose not to get up and change our negative situations, we're not living our best life. We are the only ones who can make the effort to change things. Sometimes the most uncomfortable moments lead to the greatest inspiration.

4. Create the work only you can create

It's important to remember that each of us have unique talents, gifts, and abilities. Realizing those gifts and using them to the best of our ability to create something gives us an overwhelming sense of joy and fulfillment. For me, writing is my therapy. Photography and creating are my passions. Administration and exhortation are my gifts. Those things combined with hard work and vision turned into posts and this article has become something that could ease my pain even on my worst days. Find the work that only you can do, and do it. 

5. Find the purpose behind your passion 

To fulfill our passions and visions we have for life is perhaps our greatest asset. We want to give our day-to-day life a sense of meaning. We want to know that our efforts count for something. For me, work and day-to-day life became a lot easier when I knew there was something I was building. Rainy days and stressful moments became a lot less bothersome because I knew that I was doing something that mattered to me, maybe not as a job, but at home. Even if you're in a position where you hate your job and the only reason you're there is to make ends meet- that's okay. Our passions can't be rendered by a job description. It's important for us to find our passion - no matter what or where it is - and pursue it wholeheartedly. The very thing you decide to pursue will give meaning to your every day, and given time and work, can turn into something so much greater. Ultimately, having something to contribute to and something to look forward to gives so much meaning to our lives that will have you running your way out of a rut. 

"Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that has been set before us."
Hebrews 12:1 

Read more from the fab Kristen, we adore her.