Elle’s Edit: Tips for Getting Out Of A Rut

There’s always a time when we go through ruts in our lives: Relationships, work, style, ANYTHING. Today, Elle is kicking off the Elle’s Edit series by sharing how to get out of a rut!

January is the month when we are motivated AF, February is a month where we are like eh maybe I don’t have to do all of this, and March is the month where it all goes down hill. Am I the only one to think this way? Anyways, I am such a creature of habit and catch myself every now and then and just laugh as to why I do certain things a certain way. What I’ve realized is that sometimes we just need a reset and don’t want to wait another 8 months until Jan 1st to press the reset button. Am I right?

So to the topic of this post, all about getting out of a rut; I think the hardest part is realizing that you are indeed in a rut in the first place. To me that was by far the most challenging part.

Getting out of a rut – Switch up your routine

Okay, hear me out on this one. It is sometimes impossible to do because we all have jobs, school, or something that consumes a majority of our day. But for me, I was in a solid routine that was almost too established. I found myself making my smoothie right after I took a shower, but I couldn’t eat the smoothie yet because I always eat it after I do my hair…but I was really hungry but I still didn’t let myself eat it until later. Like Elle, that is NOT normal girlfriend. **wakeup call**. I’ve learned to be more flexible and switch up the things that I do every day.

Getting out of a rut – Do not go on your phone 30 mins before bed

This is really hard for me because I always have been the girl to look at my phone (Instagram, Twitter, you name it) before hitting the hay. Again… being stuck in a routine. Find something to clear your head better. I’ve turned to reading 30 mins before bed and I’ve actually had better night sleep since! Podcasts are also something that I’ve been really into recently and when I listen to one when I’m in bed I can fully focus on them and my thoughts without needing to look at that damn screen.

Getting out of a rut – Work on small tasks and live in the moment

Again, another tough one. I’ve always been the person to look at the “big picture”. Don’t get me wrong, I still do this but it is important to focus on some minor things because in the end they really do add up. Start tackling the minor tasks that you think may be too easy or small to tackle. Just get them done and get it off your to do list. #GSD

Getting out of a rut – Forget about trying to be perfect

Yes, I am a perfectionist and it kills me. I’ve always been so hard on myself when it comes to everything. It is one of my biggest weaknesses. When I fail, I fail and I make myself know. It really is not the healthiest thing to do but I’ve gotten so much better over the past couple of years. If I make a mistake, I tell myself that it will be a learning and will make me a better person in the long run.  

Getting out of a rut – Make and eat different meals

I have to admit, I am not the best at the whole meal prepping thing. I have a wonderful kitchen and I barely use it. Dana knows this well enough but my fridge usually consists of my britta, a bottle of Veuve, 3 La Croix’s, and maybe a random lemon. In 2018 I really wanted to start meal prepping more because it is SO much cheaper than going out to eat every day for lunch. Every single week I either make myself the same meals or I go out to the same places and get the same exact thing. Why you may ask? Because I know it is good and I’m too lazy to find other options or try different things. However I now find that I am starting to get sick and tired of everything I’m eating. I envy my coworkers who meal prep each week and have a different meal every day. One day it is a salad, the next pasta, and another a chili, you name it, it is creative AF. I’ll report back if anything changes and I become better at this whole meal prepping concept. The funny this is, this Monday I made my own lunch (applause please) but as I was carrying my lunch bag and then my garbage bag to throw out, I threw out my lunch bag (containers and all) and not the garbage bag. Hey, next week is a new week. Still not giving up on this one.

What are your tips for getting out of a rut?

Are you in such a routine like I am and not even realizing it?

Thanks for reading Elle’s Edit. If you have any topics that you would like for me to discuss, feel free to email me at elle@itscasualblog.com. I would love to hear from you! xo