All men are susceptible to getting into ruts where it’s hard to break free. The definition of a rut is a “fixed and usually boring routine.” They can occur in our marriages, parenting, friendships, careers, and the things we do outside of all of those. As Henri de Lubac said, “Habit and routine have an unbelievable power to waste and destroy.”
What do we do when we realize we’re bogged down in a rut? If we’re going to grow, we can’t continue to do the same old things and expect change. Often, our greatest achievements and fondest memories occur at the moments we break out of our comfort zones. It’s time to shake the rust off. Here’s how to get out of a rut.
1. Live in the present.
We spend a lot of time planning for the future or looking back into the past. Often, we forget to simply live in the current moment. We overlook the special things that bring color into what can be gray lives. We need to soak in the laughter of our children and the warmth of their hugs. Spend less time daydreaming about other places and more time truly being present.
2. Declutter.
We tend to keep accumulating until we become bogged down in the clutter, physically and psychologically. It is important to make a clean sweep on occasion and rid ourselves from the unnecessary and unproductive thoughts, concerns, and stuff. What do you need to let go of?
3. Forgive.
Resentment and anger are like corrosives eating away the soul. Left to fester for too long, they will eventually destroy us. The remedy is forgiveness. Seeking forgiveness and giving forgiveness. When we do so, we start to live in freedom again.
4. Self-Improvement.
Learn something new. Start a good habit, like 10 push ups a day. Try new experiences and meet new people. Perhaps it’s learning a different language or simply spending more time in nature. Build something. Read a book each month. Create something. The point is to enhance the quality of your life.
5. Communicate.
Such a simple sounding thing and yet so difficult for so many. Talk to your spouse, your family, and your trusted friends. Communicate the things that bother you or make you sad. We are taught to surround ourselves with people who make us better. Do it, and allow them to help.
6. Find your passion.
It is easy to advise someone to do what they feel passion for. It is much more difficult in practice. Sometimes life can rob us of our passion. But finding it again is the key to breaking out of a rut. Find your passion and never allow it to leave you again. It is God’s gift, and in it your purpose becomes clear.
Sound off: Do you know how to get out of a rut? What is your advice?
Huddle up with your kids and ask, “What lifts your spirits when you are feeling down?”