If you are feeling stuck in life, it can be hard to make the changes you need to move forward. It is hard to imagine that you will ever be able to change the way things are. Learn new strategies that can help you get out of a rut. These 5 tips can help you get unstuck and transform your life today!
Most people have been caught in situations they didn’t like at some point in their lives. Maybe it’s a job they don’t like, a toxic relationship, or an injury that led to setbacks or unwanted lifestyle changes.
Sometimes, it is easy to notice the problem and change it.
Other times, however, the problem feels so big that it seems as if nothing can be done to help.
Though we can’t always change our circumstances, we can choose to notice what is going well and how we start to get out of a slump through small changes in ourselves. There is no overnight solution when you’re feeling stuck in life. But with little steps in the right direction, you can start to transform your life into something better.
The five helpful tips you’re about to see will help you start on a path to transform your life and get out of a rut without having to change your circumstances.
5 Tips to help you get out of a rut and transform your life
Tip #1: Accept where you are
Before you change anything, you need to be accepting of the place you are in right now.
This doesn’t mean you need to be resigned to staying in this place forever. However, you need to recognize that, “Hey, this isn’t a perfect situation, but it’s where I am right now.”
Get rid of any guilt or bitterness you feel towards your life. You don’t need to regret what got you to this place or feel guilty about your current situation. You are where you are, and that’s fine!
It’s good to learn from our mistakes. But dwelling on them so much that they keep us stuck in a rut is not a healthy way to deal with them.
So take a look at your life and accept that, right now, this is reality. It can change, but guilt and bitterness and denial won’t help.
Related Post: How to Find Peace in Every Season of Life
Tip #2: Recognize both the good and the bad things in your life
This step has really helped me in the past when I’m feeling stuck in life.
When I stopped to recognize the things in my life that I like and the things that I don’t like, the first thing it did was make me thankful for all of the good stuff I already had.
You will notice that your problems are smaller than you thought
For example, when I was teaching in China, my mental health was the lowest it had ever been. I thought that my whole life was a mess, and it felt impossible to fix.
But when I really thought about the good things and the bad things in my life, I realized it was only one thing I was struggling with.
I liked my friends, life with my husband was better than ever, food and travel were a blessing, and my home gave me comfort. The ONLY things I had on my list of things I didn’t like were related to teaching.
I realized that all of the problems I felt were so big came from this one, simple problem.
Looking at the good and bad things also helped me when I was feeling stuck in life because it showed me exactly what needed to change in order to get unstuck. I could see that teaching was not a realistic job for me to maintain. I knew I needed to mend this problem before I would see change everywhere else.
When you are reflecting, separate your life into different categories.
I use the categories physical and mental health, spiritual health, social life, family life, career, and finances. Look at each category individually and come up with things you like and don’t like about that part of your life.
If you want to simply think about the good and bad things in your life, that is totally fine. If you are like me and you need your thoughts written down, that is a great way to do it, too.
Related Post: 10 Unique Ways to Express Gratitude
Tip #3: Think about your definition of success.
I’ll be honest, this is the step that trips me up the most.
I care so much about what other people think of me that it can be really hard for me to be proud of my achievements if no one else thinks they were worthwhile.
But that is exactly what I’m challenging you to do.
Don’t view success as the world views it. Make your own definition.
We are all unique individuals with unique talents and interests. It makes sense that we would all have a different idea of what a successful life looks like.
For example, people who love to stay busy and have big adventures will think that success is when you have a fast-paced job and a high-paying career so that you can afford big trips and excursions.
In contrast, someone who prefers a simple life will feel like that is the opposite of success. Instead, they will want a job that has a slower pace and a lifestyle that will allow them quiet, calm nights and relaxing mornings.
Don’t let the standards of society change your mind.
Even though everyone has different values and interests, there are certain things in life that we all strive for because society has told us they are important.
We are told that success requires a university degree, a glamorous job with high pay, an attractive family, and so many more things.
Even worse, these measures of success change over time. How are we possibly supposed to keep up? And even more than that, why do we want to if it’s not even what we want for ourselves? It’s because we care about what other people think of us (or at least that’s why I struggle with it).
Instead of aiming for our own lifestyle preferences, we try to fit into the mould that other people think is right. This causes us to create a life we don’t even want, leaving us feeling stuck and trapped.
Sure, it might make people admire you. But if you are not living a life that is good for you, then what’s the point? For this reason, you need to take a hard look at what sort of life you think would be best for you. This is the only way you will be able to start to transform your life in a way that makes you happy.
Consider all areas of your life (physical and mental health, spiritual health, social life, family life, career, and finances) and write down what you think is the ideal form of success for you.
Related Post: 31 Unique Christian Journal Prompts To Strengthen Your Faith
Tip #4: Decide on the things you can change
This step depends entirely on your situation. Like I said before, there are going to be things that you can’t do anything about when you’re feeling stuck in life.
When that is the case, there are sometimes small things that can be changed to help improve your situation.
Change the people you see
A negative situation can feel even worse when you surround yourself with negative people. Choosing to spend more time with people who bring more positivity into your life is a better change.
Change the things you say
You can also change what comes out of your own mouth. If you allow yourself to speak in anger at all hours of the day, you will start to feel angry all the time, too. It’s ok to be frustrated. Just try to rephrase your words so that they do not foster anger and hatred. You will start noticing a positive difference in the way you feel, as well.
Change the places you go
Even the places you choose to go can make a difference. Going for walks, visiting cozy cafes, and going to church when you can are all things that can brighten your day a little and help change your perspective even when you are feeling stuck in life.
None of these things will be able to change your situation. However, they will be able to change your mind which is the most important step in order to get out of a slump.
Related Post: How to Set Goals You Can Actually Achieve
Tip #5: Take it one step at a time and be okay with setbacks.
Once you have your definition of success laid out and you know where you want to go, you can start taking small actions to transform your life.
Don’t assume that everything is going to change drastically overnight.
More often than not, your progress is going to feel slow, but that doesn’t mean you aren’t getting anywhere. Once every month or so, you will need to choose one small goal to aim for. Upon reaching that goal, you can move on to another one.
Don’t try to change too many things at once.
Pick one manageable thing to work on so that you don’t get too overwhelmed. Set small goals that you can achieve and take it one little step at a time.
Related Post: 7 Reasons You’re Failing Your Goals You Can Fix Now
Bonus Tip: Trust in Something Bigger than You
When you are trying to achieve new goals and move forward in life, it helps to remember that there is someone more powerful than yourself in control.
God created you exactly the way he wanted you to be.
Nothing about you is a mistake, and you can rest easy in whatever season you’re in because you know that God is in control.
He will help you develop the skills you need later in life, so have faith that even the setbacks are used for His purpose. When you are feeling stuck, it helps to recognize that God’s intention is never to leave you stuck in a rut forever. Even when you don’t feel it, He is transforming your life in ways you could never imagine!
Related Post: How to Find Purpose in Pain: 7 Lessons
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I change my life from bad to good?
I love this question because the answer is actually right in front of you!
To change your life from bad to good you don’t actually have to change anything about your situation. You only have to change your mindset.
No matter who you are, your life has positive and negative things in it. Every life has both good and bad existing at the same time.
Some things you do can help you start to get rid of some of the bad stuff. But the more important change you will make is to alter your focus.
Are you spending too much time looking at the bad things in your life and not enough time noticing the good stuff? This is how you can transform your life into something better without changing your actual situation.
Related Post: How to Find Satisfaction in Every Season of Life
How do I make positive changes in my life?
Okay, so you get that you can transform your life with a mindset shift but what about actually making real, concrete changes? How do you make positive lifestyle changes when you’re feeling stuck in life?
Reflection and goal-setting are going to be the biggest factors as you try to get out of a rut if you’re looking for concrete changes.
First, you’ll need to spend a lot of time reflecting deeply on your life. Don’t just say you hate everything about your life. You need to pinpoint why you feel stuck in a slump so that you can fix the problem.
Once you’ve found something that is a problem for you, think of one small, manageable goal that you can set that will get you one step closer to the life you want. Then, simply continue to set those small goals and you will gradually begin to see your life transforming in front of you.
Related Post: Plan for Success: How to Prepare for New Goals
How do I get my life in order?
If you are mostly feeling stuck in life because your life is simply unorganized, it might help to simplify and organize the things around you. If you want more help in this area, you can check out the monthly checklist that I use to keep my life in order on a daily basis. Get your monthly checklist by signing up below:
Related Post: How to Prepare for Next Month Like a Boss
How can I be successful in life?
At In Its Season, I advocate for a different kind of success than you might be thinking.
To be successful in life, I don’t believe that you have to have money or a glamorous job or a perfect family. I believe that you need to be living a life that is authentic to you.
Are you living a life that other people told you is the best way to live, or is it a life that you love? Does it reflect who you truly are or does it hide it?
To live a successful life by the standards at In Its Season, you have to figure out what things make you feel like your living a full life. Then you need to start setting small, manageable goals that will help you get closer to that ideal a little bit every day.
It’s not easy but it’s definitely worthwhile!
Related Post: How to Change Your Mindset and Transform Life
Why do I get stuck?
You might be getting stuck for a series of reasons but one of the biggest reasons is probably that you have developed unhealthy patterns of thinking. Without active effort, we as humans are inclined to think inwardly about ourselves. We are quick to feel as if everything is about us and that we deserve more in life than what we have.
It is easy to get stuck in negative thought patterns that only see the negatives in our own lives. We also tend to fall victim to comparison. We end up wanting what other people have instead of feeling gratitude towards what we already have.
This is a pattern of thinking that we all fall into at times and it is very likely what is making you feel stuck in life.
Related Post: 3 Reasons Why You’re Unhappy and How to Fix it
How do I get motivated and unstuck?
Because the bigger part of the problem happens in your mind, it helps to reach out to other people to motivate you to change your perspective. You can talk to friends and family that offer positivity and encouragement or you can even turn to motivating music, television, and podcasts!
Listen to things that will make you feel gratitude and encouragement. You will be able to transform your life even before changing anything concrete.
Related Post: 10 Killer Motivational Podcasts you Need to Hear
How do you set goals when feeling stuck?
The biggest thing you need to remember when setting goals at this time is to keep them small and manageable. Take it one day at a time and progress slowly.
If you need help setting goals for yourself, you can download this goal-setting guidebook to help you! It’s free and can help you set small goals to help you get unstuck and transform your life.
I hope that these tips can help you to get out of a rut when you’re feeling stuck in life. Remember that the real battle is happening in your mind, not in your circumstances. Make small goals to transform your life but make sure that you’re making a conscious effort to set your mindset to a positive one in order to get out of a slump for good.
What do you like to do when you are feeling stuck in life?
0 Comments