Are You Stuck in a Rut?
It’s a phrase we’ve all heard: stuck in a rut.
When I thought about being “stuck in a rut,” I became curious of where the phrase even came from. So I did a bit of research and here’s what I found:
The phrase is thought to have originated in the early 1800s when the wheels of a wooden wagon would be stuck in the grooves of a well-worn path.
A well-worn path.
Of course, you didn’t need a history lesson, to know the meaning of the phrase, but the idea of cruising down a well-worn path, a place I’ve already been and know well, only to be suddenly stopped in my tracks put such a concrete image in my head that I knew I had to write a post about it!
How many of you are stuck going down the same well-worn path?
Well, you’re in good company — we’ve all been there. But I’m not gonna let you stay in that rut, even if you don’t realize you’re there.
Here are seven red flags you’re stuck in a rut:
You’ve stopped living in the moment. Nostalgia is a daily hobby, and you often find yourself longing for the “good ole days.” Rather than old memories making you laugh or smile, they leave you feeling unsatisfied with what’s happening in the now.
The foreseeable future holds no excitement for you, or perhaps you’re too distracted to see the possibilities. You have no goals, so you’re not growing, learning or feeling rewarded by your actions. Each day feels like an imitation of yesterday.
Regardless of how unhappy you are with your current situation, staying put feels safer than putting yourself out there. As much as you want things to change, you’re not ready or willing to take action.
Daydreaming isn’t all bad, but when it morphs into full-on escapism, you’ve lost touch with reality. You’ve given up on the life you’re living and prefer to imagine what “could have” been.
“Comparison is the thief of joy.” While everyone else seems to be thriving and taking control of life, you somehow got left in the dust. You have a hard time feeling excited or happy for others’ success while you’re taking a backseat to life.
In social settings, you defer questions about yourself because you’re ashamed or embarrassed about what you’re not doing. You’ve cancelled plans or made excuses not to see family or friends.
You stopped believing in yourself and have decided to settle, even if it doesn’t fulfill you. In the past, you may have tried and failed, so you don’t see the “point” in giving it another shot.
For some of you, that may have been hard to read because you see yourself in a lot of what I’ve described.
I just want to tell you; it’s going to be okay.
Every one of us has a story, even if you don’t see it right now, I know it’s in you. Getting your story out and onto paper is something you do first and foremost for yourself.
Let me help you get out of your rut and share your story with the world.
You deserve to give yourself another shot.