
10 Signs You’re Stuck in a Rut (And How to Get Out!)

We’ve all been there. That feeling you can’t shake, like you should be more excited about what’s going on around you. You feel drained, bored, and downright negative about things going on in your life. You may be wondering what’s wrong with you, why you’re no longer interested in anything you used to be. If you find any of the below 10 signs hitting home, you may very well be stuck in a rut. (But don’t worry, we can get you out of it!)
The thing is, you aren’t going to feel your very best every single day of the year. And thats OK. It’s when you continually find yourself feeling like you’re not moving forward and nothing is going right, it can be mentally exhausting.
Sometimes, it’s a matter of changing something small. Switching up a goal or routine. Sometimes it’s a little bigger, and requires a lifestyle change. Regardless of what it is, take a look at the 10 signs you’re stuck in a rut and see if any of these are resonating with you.
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Table of Contents
10 Signs You’re Stuck In a Rut
1. You Don’t Feel Like Yourself
You don’t know what you feel like, but you know it isn’t you. Maybe you feel annoyed and frustrated with yourself, maybe even irritated. Something feels off but you just can’t put a finger on it.
2. You Don’t Have Any Drive
You could get up and do that thing you’re supposed to do, or you could stay sitting right where you are. You’re lacking the basic motivation and momentum to get mundane tasks done.
3. You’re Avoiding Tasks/Just Meeting the Minimum
Your to-do list is getting longer and longer but you’re not getting any closer to finishing it. Or, you’re just getting the bare minimum finished, but nothing more. You don’t feel inclined to do any of the tasks on it.
4. You’re Searching for a ‘Why”
Why are you feeling this way? Why are you doing what you’re doing. Why did you even choose this path? What’s the point?
5. You’re Lacking Creativity
Whether it’s deciding what to make for dinner or what your next blog post is going to be, you cannot for the life of you come up with anything. You feel completely drained of ideas.
6. You’re Bored
The path you’re on no longer excites you. You’re just going through the motions. You feel stuck and like nothing exciting is happening at all. Nothing appeals to you.
7. You’re Complaining About the Same Things
Over and over again you find yourself getting annoyed with or complaining about the same things. They continue to bother you and you can’t seem to shake them. It seems like you’re just running the same rant over on repeat.
8. Nothing Excites You
You no longer feel joy about starting new tasks or creating new goals. You don’t feel like there’s anything to look forward to. Even if things are evolving and changing, you’re fixated on what’s bringing you down.
9. You Withdraw From People and Activities You Like
You may not feel like seeing friends and family you normally do. You also may not be participating in regular activities you normally enjoy. You may find yourself making excuses to avoid these things or people.
10. You Aren’t Up For Trying Anything New
You keep the same routine and give up looking for anything new. You aren’t actively seeking out trying new things or alternatives. The thought of taking on a new path seems more like a chore than a welcomed challenge.
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Check In
Did any of that resonate you? Did you feel like any of the those 10 signs of being stuck in a rut applied to you? If you feel like you’re stagnated, unmotivated or downright bored with what you’re doing, there’s a very good chance you could be stuck in a rut.
Now, the best way to get over being a rut is to get out of it! Below You’ll find a list of tips and tricks you can use to pull yourself out of being in a rut and start to feel more like yourself!
How To Get Out of a Rut
Acknowledge that You Are in a Rut
Acknowledging you’re stuck in a rut is the first step to putting a name to the feeling you’ve been having. It’s important to make yourself emotionally aware of your feelings. Checking in with yourself and realizing you’re stuck in a rut is the first step to being able to overcome it.
Change Your Environment
Clean up a space you frequent. Rearrange your workspace. Take a walk. Resetting yourself starts with changing your environment. You may just need a new workspace, a cleaner area, or to visualize a different scene to begin to pull yourself out.
Take a Break
You may just need a day to be able to reset yourself. Or maybe just an afternoon. Take a nap, read a book, go outside etc. Give yourself and your body a chance to have a break from the source of what is causing the distress. Even sleeping on it overnight can be enough to change your mindset.
Start Small
Have a molehill of things that need to be tackled, but don’t have the motivation. Start small. Sometimes you may surprise yourself and continue to collect momentum as you go. It can be as simple as getting a few small tasks done to be the motivation you need!
Remember Why You Started
Sit down and write down a list of the exact reasons why you started. Do this until you start to feel some of that spark return. Become re-excited with the process you originally fell in love with.
Re-Frame Your Goals
Perhaps your current goals are too challenging or not challenging enough. Re-frame your goals to better suit your needs, lifestyle, and current situation. Remember, our goals need to change and grow with us. The plan in which we use to change our goals must change as we continue the journey to our goals!
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Recap
Feeling like you’re stuck in a rut isn’t a great feeling, but you don’t need to wallow and stay in that rut. Acknowledge that you’re in a rut and begin the steps to pull yourself back out of it! Let me know your top tips for pulling yourself out of a rut!

Great post! Since I’ve graduated and started working I definitely feel like I’ve been stuck in a rut. I haven’t been as involved in things as I was when I was in school and it’s starting to get to me but I’m slowly figuring out ways to get out of it and this post helps a lot.
Happy Friday!! 💜💜
PerfectlyKyla.com
I also felt the same way after graduating! It’s such a change and can be a challenge to adjust to life after school! You’ll get out of this rut and come out stronger!
xo
Cyn
This is a really interesting post and I’ve not read one like this before. Feeling like you’re stuck in a rut is the worst feeling and can leave you feeling really down and demotivated. But I like how you’ve given some very easy steps to bring yourself out of a rut. I definitely find tidying up my environment helps. If I want to get something done after a long day of work, I always tidy my room. I feel like it’s a way of organising my self, you know? But I loved reading this post and it’s different to my… Read more »
Yes tidying is so key! I clean my room and instantly feel better! Thanks for sharing!
xo
Cyn
I felt like this just a couple of days ago, and I had to give in to it. I realized that trying to fight the rut I was in was nothing but a waste of energy. So I turned my notifications off on my phone, got some much-needed rest, and caught up on my favorite shows. Your tips definitely help!
Taking a break is definitely needed and so important! I’m glad you had a chance to take care of yourself!
xo
Cyn
This post could be especially helpful to those suffering from seasonal depression. I also appreciate your tips on how to break the chains.
I can absolutely see how that can help! I’m glad you liked this post!
xo
Cyn
Very nice post. Yeah life always gives us new challenge everytime. But I feel honing creative skills is the best thing to make life easier. All the points are wonderfully depicted.
Originally I was going to say change the environment really stick our for me, then one after another they all did. This is WHY I love love love your writing. You capture my undivided attention and I can’t atop reading. I can personally relate to this article as of last night. Little moment of negative thoughts. More worry and fear, but these are great.
Absolutely love this girl.
Sincerely,
Mama Robbins
I’m so glad this spoke to you! I’m sorry you’re stuck in a hard place, but sometimes we need them to see the bigger picture! I look forward to your flourishing from this!
xo cyn
Thanks for the encouragement!
You’re welcome!
xo cyn
You totally read your readers’ minds! As soon as I finished reading the signs I may be in a rut (which I answered yes to almost all of them)-I thought in my head- I hope she lists ways to get out of it! And you did 🙂
Very helpful- and informative. Just what I needed
Thank you
I’m so glad this helped! We’ve all been there but it’s best to just keep pushing through to get out!
xo
C
I’ve been stuck in a rut so many times and it sucks. Taking a break really can be helpful. It’s good to just take a breather and calm your mind.
Yes! You’re absolutely right! Taking a break is one of the best things you can do!
xo
C