Breaking Free of Ruts

Do you find yourself feeling stuck in the same routines- driving the same way to the same places, eating the same foods, going to the same restaurants and telling yourself the same stories again and again?

We humans crave routines and predictability. Many of us thrive running on autopilot.

Some of this is perhaps because we are creatures of habit.  We find something that works and so we just stick with it.  Also, our beautiful brains thrive off of knowing what’s next so that we don’t have to expend as much energy figuring out every- single -thing- and doing that all day long.  Routines are easy.

But we also know that changing things up is good for our brain. It is also great as we age to change things up- maybe try new foods, new places, or even take lessons or classes to learn new things like how to dance, play an instrument, or learn a language.  Like an under used muscle, we lose brain capability if too much of our life is on autopilot and we’re not challenging ourselves.

And changing it up doesn’t have to be anything too crazy either. Change your dominant hand when you brush your teeth, take a different route to school, work or shopping, visit a museum or place of interest that you might not ordinarily think to visit… all good things for your brain.

Additionally, it is easy to have our primary relationships end up in a rut.  In the early days we were so curious to get to know one another, to see what made our partner tick, and to learn their preferences and favorite things.   But after the honeymoon phase, far too many couples get bogged down in daily roles, responsibilities and routines that it can be easy to fall into relationship ruts as well.

So, change it up!  If you haven’t had a date night in a hot minute, ask your partner out for a date.  Plan and make it special.  Go to a different restaurant than your standard favorite and try something new.  Perhaps you might take a dance or yoga class together.

Our brain much prefers to just do what we’ve always done and expend less energy. However, the spice of life really is about spicing things up and being curious and intentional to do some things differently, including the small everyday things, or bigger things like taking a European vacation that you’ve always thought about.

Lastly, change up your stories if your -self talk isn’t serving you well.  If you get stuck in looping or negative thoughts and that has become your habit (or rut) then consider writing down a new story, creating new mantras for how you want to speak to yourself – so that your -self talk is accurate and encouraging and reflects the value and worth you have.

Instead of staying stuck in your rut, take some time to reflect and consider the possibilities both personally, relationally and in your work or business to break free.

There is something beautiful waiting for you on the other side of your well worn rut.  Let us know what you discover!  We’d love to hear from you. Contact us at info@livewellkitsap.com

And if you are looking for something fun to do and break free from your typical Saturday “To do” list, join us on Saturday 6/21 at KitsapFest at the Silverdale Waterfront Park for a FREE community event from 10a-3p.  Bring your friends, family, coworkers and neighbors and help them out of their Saturday ruts too!