How to get out of a rut.

I am switching gears tonight, and I am sitting to write the 21 remaining blog posts (which will be the basis of 22 podcast episodes) of the 22 I promised you a month ago. I cleaned my office yesterday. My husband patched up two holes we had cut into the 1985 drywall. The first hole was where the old intercom system was installed, and the second hole was in an effort to find the funky smell, which we assumed was mold. Ironically the funky smell was probably coming from the first hole since it went straight into the dusty attic. But now every piece of unnecessary clutter has been removed, and it is my new sanctuary.

As you probably know by now, I love to write, I love to share, and I love to help. One day there will probably be a medical diagnosis named after me, but until then, here we are.

I didn’t know what a rut was until I was forced to slow down a few years back. I have said this before, but I have lived my whole life in survival mode. Another thing I also didn’t know until recently. My experience with “ruts” is becoming so present that I became overwhelmed. But anywho, today I want to share with you my tips on how to get out of a rut.

  1. Remove toxic people out of your life. — Have you ever read the book Energy Bus? I recommended reading it here. Jon Gordon gives some great rules of advice, but I am certain you can follow your gut to accomplish this task.

  2. Get more sleep. This is my favorite form of self-love. (For me, it was key to getting adequate vitamins and nutrients each day to learn how much sleep I needed each night. I take iron, vitamin b, vitamin d, Systemic Formulas MIN Multi Mineral Plus, vitamin c, turmeric, ashwagandha and a multi-vitamin.)

  3. Drink more water. Every day, I try to drink 1 ounce of water for every pound I weigh.

  4. Turn down all noise. Be present with yourself when you are alone. This includes music. One of the purest things I have ever done for myself is to stop listening to music audio when I am alone in the car.

  5. Read self-growth books. Reading is one of my favorite things to do.

  6. Write, journal, or brain dump. I also love to write. Once I put my problems on paper, the solutions appear quickly; “seeing” my problems makes them not feel so big.

  7. Cry a little. A good cry can be the final piece to getting out of a rut. Leaving physical feelings bottled up isn’t healthy.

  8. Accepted I am exactly where I need to be. You might hate to hear it, but everything happens for a reason. You might not understand it now, but you soon will.

  9. And lastly, switch up or establish a new routine. Our bodies crave routine. They crave normalcy. Let’s dive into this deeper below…

The concepts of establishing a new routine and the body’s craving for normalcy and routine are grounded in psychological and physiological research. Here are some key points that support these ideas:

Human Bodies and Routine:

  • The human body operates on a circadian rhythm, a natural, internal process that regulates the sleep-wake cycle and repeats roughly every 24 hours. Establishing a routine helps to stabilize this rhythm, improving sleep quality and overall well-being.

  • Routine can significantly reduce stress levels. When our day-to-day activities are predictable, the body and mind can relax in the stability of knowing what comes next. This predictability can reduce the physiological stress response, according to studies on stress and coping mechanisms.

The Psychological Benefits of Routine:

  • Psychologically, routines can provide a sense of structure and predictability, which can be comforting in times of uncertainty. This sense of order can help reduce anxiety and improve mental health.

  • Establishing new routines, especially ones that include physical activity, can enhance mood and decrease symptoms of depression. Exercise routines, for example, have been shown to improve mental health by releasing endorphins and providing a sense of accomplishment.

Craving Normalcy:

  • The craving for normalcy often reflects a desire for a stable and predictable environment, which can be especially pronounced during times of change or stress. Humans are creatures of habit, and disruptions to our routines can lead to increased anxiety and stress.

  • This craving can also be tied to the psychological concept of homeostasis, the body’s desire to maintain internal stability and balance in response to external changes. Routine helps fulfill this need by ensuring that certain parameters of life remain constant.

Adaptation to New Routines:

  • While the body and mind may crave routine, they are also remarkably adaptable. Establishing a new routine can initially be challenging due to the inertia of existing habits. However, with repetition and consistency, new habits can form, eventually becoming part of the body’s expected routine. The brain’s neuroplasticity allows for the adaptation to new routines through the formation of new neural pathways.

Routine and Productivity:

  • Routines can enhance productivity by allocating specific times for tasks, reducing the need for decision-making about what to do next. This can lead to more efficient use of time and procrastination reduction.

The human preference for routine is well-supported by both physiological and psychological research. Routines can provide a sense of stability, reduce stress, and improve both mental and physical health. However, the ability to adapt to new routines also highlights the flexibility and resilience of the human body and mind.

If you are in a rut, know, it is temporary, and with the right mindset, it will pass. You got this. Xo.

What’s next? Are you seeking both personal and professional growth without sacrificing? We are looking to work with those who are building a business while seeking a balance between family and work, and they don’t want to do it alone. We provide coaching, build-outs, training, step-by-step guides, mentorship, and one-on-one consultations.

Empowering you to build a successful business that complements, not complicates, your family life, offering you the tools and support to make it happen,

With love,

Jo

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