Now and again, many of us feel like we’re in a lifestyle rut, bored with predictability and wanting to shake things up. If you’re feeling unfulfilled, there’s plenty you can do to rediscover your passion, from switching careers to traveling or just using your spare time a little more wisely. Here are seven ways to get out of a rut and add more excitement to your life.
Get Out of Lifestyle Rut
Prioritize You
If you’re serious about getting out of a rut, focus on self-care and treating yourself to some of the things recommended on this list. Whether you want to make small changes, such as treating yourself to coffee or drinks out a few days of the week, signing up for a new membership at a local gym, or going for a bigger change like switching careers, being aware of your needs and desires is the only way you’ll find fulfillment moving forward.
Create a Bucket List — And Start Crossing Things Off
Kick-start your efforts by creating a bucket list. This can include nearby places you want to visit, countries you want to see, and anything else that comes to mind. Mix big and small goals, and try to be realistic about what you can accomplish. Once you’ve finished, start immediately on whatever items are achievable right now.
Visit a New City
Seeing a new place, meeting new people, and experiencing a new culture is a fantastic way to get out of a rut and leave you feeling recharged and ready to return home. Even a day trip to a nearby town is a good way to add some excitement to your life. Give this a shot the next time you have a free weekend, and enjoy a meal and sightseeing in an unfamiliar place.
Make a Career Change
Making a career change is a big decision, but that doesn’t mean it’s not worth making. A new career can mean more money and benefits, but perhaps most importantly, it can mean more passion in your life. Note that this doesn’t always mean going back to school. You can look for similar opportunities to learn new skills or train to pass certifications needed for a career change through courses on sites such as Lynda and Udemy.
Invest in Your Hobbies
If a career change is too much of a commitment, invest more time in your passions. If you like to paint, devote more time to that interest. Take a class, attend local meetups, or visit a local art museum. You may even try to sell some of your work online or at neighborhood farmers markets. Whatever your hobbies or interest might be, find a way to spend more of your free time doing what you love.
Learn Something New
If you don’t have a hobby, you might benefit from learning something new. Try your hand at a craft like woodworking or painting, or maybe something like poetry, gardening, hiking would help you work through your rut. Here are a few other suggestions to consider:
- Learn a new instrument.
- Learn a new language.
- Try a new recipe.
- Study a new subject.
- Try a new form of exercise.
- Try to have a pet.
These things are all solutions to help you express yourself, and you could discover an unknown passion. Who knows — it might even inspire you to pursue a new career!
Give Back to the Community
One of the best ways to get out of a rut is to look outward instead of in. You can enrich your own life greatly by helping others, and there’s never a shortage of opportunities in any community. Check local volunteer organizations for ways to help, or stop by an area animal shelter to see what they need. Boys & Girls Clubs of America and United Way Worldwide are two reputable organizations that always need volunteers.
Hopefully, you’re feeling inspired after reading this list. Whether you think a career change is in order or just need to make a few lifestyle adjustments, you have lots of self-discovery to look forward to. Remember these suggestions, and enjoy investing in you!
