Does your life feel monotonous? There are various reasons that you get stuck in a boring routine. However, breaking free from this state is not always easy. The good news is that many people have experienced the same thing. In addition, there are many ways to address and improve this situation to make your life more enjoyable!
Step
Part 1 of 3: Determining What Needs to Change
Step 1. Remember that you are not the only person who has experienced this
When you're feeling down and unmotivated, everyone, except you, seems to be getting better and better, while you can only be a spectator yourself. Feeling discouraged is human because we are not robots. In general, people feel stuck in a routine because:
- Feeling bored or stuck at work. Many jobs feel increasingly tedious, especially for old employees.
- Loss of interest in relationships. Relationships that have been established for a long time tend to turn into a routine that is no longer fun. This also applies to casual friendships when you and your friends are drawn into a monotonous relationship.
- Poor diet. Busy people or foodies tend to choose unhealthy food menus. You'll have a hard time breaking this eating pattern once it becomes a habit!
- All of the above. Often, there are several aspects that trap you in the routine. All of them can appear simultaneously causing stress that is difficult to overcome.
Step 2. Take the time to find out what exactly is upsetting you
Maybe you actually already know what causes it. Be honest with yourself. You can only make a commitment to change things when you know what disappointed you.
Keep a journal if you can't figure out what's upsetting you. Don't go into too much detail or take up too much time. Each night, write down a few sentences reflecting on what happened and how you felt. After some time, you can easily identify any negative patterns. Journaling has been shown to help people identify bad habits and overcome them
Step 3. Recognize that dwelling on the past can really demotivate you
Don't blame yourself for the situation, but try to make positive changes. This advice may sound cliché, but imagining a happy future can really get you excited about making it happen!
Part 2 of 3: Changing Routines
Step 1. Start small
Maybe you're stuck in a routine because you do certain things the same way over and over again. The desire to change every aspect of life in a short time is very difficult and unrealistic. You will find it easier to achieve success by setting goals that can be achieved.
Once you've decided you want to make major changes in your daily life, break this plan down into goals. You will be more successful by making a plan. For example, if you want to go back to college, first make a plan to find information about the school that teaches the course you want. Small things will be big steps in your journey
Step 2. Record the progress that has been achieved
There are many ways to track progress, especially if you have a sophisticated device. Download a to-do app or stop by an office supply store for a calendar and colorful star stickers. You'll be even more excited by seeing the progress you've made again!
- Even if it feels fine, don't brag about your big plans until you've worked them out. Based on research, talking about intention to do certain things tends to discourage you.
- Don't forget to congratulate yourself when you reach your target. If you want to lose 6 pounds, praise yourself, even if you've only lost 2 pounds.
Step 3. Read articles or books about people who have succeeded in doing what you want
Whether you want to make a big change or just want to feel better, there may be people who have achieved that desire. You can broaden your horizons and increase motivation by learning through the experiences of others.
If possible, it's a good idea to join a community where people with similar conditions and desires gather. These communities can be regular support groups or online forums which can be very helpful in preventing stress
Step 4. Don't give up
Changing routines can be overwhelming difficult, let alone a routine that you have been doing for a long time. Appreciate yourself for wanting to try. Remember how far you've come and don't let small failures stop you.
Part 3 of 3: Maintaining Momentum
Step 1. Don't beat yourself up
Focus on making progress because your goals may not be achieved in a short time. Be patient because achieving positive things usually takes time, while disappointment only delays success. Look at what you've managed to do and give yourself credit for this accomplishment. In the end, you are getting closer to the mission you want to fulfill.
Step 2. Get into a new routine
It's normal to go back to your old, more comfortable routine, even if it makes you unhappy. Try to recognize when you make a mistake and then fix it right away! Don't let small mistakes ruin your well-laid plans.
Sometimes, you can make mistakes for quite a long time. Maybe because things happened that you didn't expect or you lost motivation. Try to remember why you decided you wanted to change. Remind yourself that you can try as much as you can, if it doesn't work the first time. Starting over doesn't mean failure, but you will fail if you give up
Step 3. Practice calming the mind or live in the present.
Sometimes, we become more vulnerable after making small progress. Don't use progress as an excuse to get back on track. Be aware of your goals and what you have accomplished.
- Learn about the other benefits of journaling. Keeping track of what you're thinking is very useful for maintaining awareness, especially when you're demotivated. Mind calming exercises are an excellent technique for relieving stress that may arise from going through many changes in your daily life.
- On the other hand, be aware of situations that make you dwell on the past and focus your energy on moving forward. If your presentation at work is messy, jot down everything you need to pay attention to to improve your next presentation.
- Remember that breaking free from routine is a continuous process. A bad actor doesn't mean a bad actor. A person having a bad week doesn't necessarily mean having a bad life.
Tips
- Don't underestimate the importance of a good night's sleep. If your day wasn't great, use bedtime as an opportunity to recuperate and start trying again the next day.
- Listen to fun music. Changing the type of music you usually listen to can have a huge impact on your daily life!
- Don't compare yourself to others because the only person living your life is you.
- No matter how long you've been in a routine, you (and only you) can decide to leave it.
