It’s very easy to get into a rut, to find yourself stuck in an unproductive and even sometimes destructive pattern of living. I am in that place where I could so easily fall into a rut. All the ingredients are there: I’m frustrated, bored, dissatisfied, afraid, and stressed. And I feel like I have absolutely no control over the things that are making me unhappy. I feel like my fate is in someone else’s hands, and that is a very discomfiting feeling. The reality really is that I do have a choice, but it’s not one that I desire to exercise.
So here’s what I’m doing to avoid getting into a rut. I’m doing my best to stay as productive as I possibly can.
– I’m not sleeping in
– I’m not watching TV – if I do watch something it’s intentional
– Limiting myself to one movie every few days
– Spending time in the office or living room, not in the bedroom (because then I’ll just sleep)
– Playing video games almost as regularly as when I was working — not much more
– Reading books… working my way through the pile I’ve been collecting and revisiting some old titles
– Working on my programming stuff and my websites
– Picking new skills to learn and master
– Walking/hiking often
– Oh, and school work too ofcourse 🙂
… among other things
Basically, keeping myself busy and my mind stimulated. I figure if I just keep going then I won’t get into a slump and start feeling sorry for myself, which is possibly the most self-destructive thing anyone can ever do.
Good advice!! I think that I need to take it as well!!!!
It can be hard, but you just have to work at it, and remember that no matter how it seems, you hold the reins.
You may not be able to control what anyone else does, but you can control how you respond, and the impact you allow things and events and happenings to have on you. And YOUR response, in the long run, makes ALL the difference.