How to get out of the rut in 5 different ways.

We turn on the tv, we listen to podcasts, and even on my IG feed is people yelling something about the government, the Corona Virus, the vaccine, and being a hundred percent honest, I’m exhausted.Everyone is loud and it seems like the voice in my brain is being muffled by the world’s crisis. It feels like it’s never-ending. This post is about how to get out of the rut and get things done, when the times are hard.

It’s been a few days that I feel like I’m on a rut. I sit down, look at my computer, type a few titles, and leave. It feels like my brain got me into a panicked mode, due to all that is happening with the world lately. Especially living in the United States. 

My blog is my passion project. I’m thankful for having a platform to write about what’s been bothering me, so I can help you to understand that I’m probably going through the same. What helps me to fix the situation, or at least manage it better. I’m no expert, but I believe we all have different experiences worth sharing. 

Almost every morning, I write on my planner what I intent for what my day should be. It usually includes some tasks over the phone and mostly my writing plans for the day. It’s usually one or two hours of writing and then work on some pins, schedule, and so on. But the days where the pages are empty and I need to force myself to sit down and write, this is what I do:

Watch inspiring videos. 

Watch interviews or short videos of how people started their careers or how after a long time trying, they finally made it. Or a masterclass on a subject I want to learn more about. It usually helps me to get up and get stuff done. A few months ago, I watched Spike Lee on Indie Movies and now I just started Issa Rae. I need to see people who succeeded in what I want to work on, like Screenwriting. I look for classes where I know people can inspire me in terms of ‘I was different, but I made it through”  

Listen to Music or your favorite Podcast. 

Music somehow is always in the background, when I need inspiration for my stories, or just to get out of my couch, when bad days hit hard. I like to listen to the radio station, most of the time. I guess being a kid from the ’90s, I got used to switching stations and not just skip songs endlessly. 

Having someone interacting with you, about that song they are about to play is also fun. That’s probably why I like Podcasts. 

I wrote a post about Podcasts for Self- Care, where I listed the ones I like the most, like Gretchen Ruben, “Happier”, Jay Shetty “On Purpose” and Rachel Hollis Podcast. 

Here is the post if you like to know more about it 

Talk to your friends. 

Not just online. I know for us, millennials, it’s hard to make phone calls, but it’s worth it if you are checking in with a friend. It’s important to keep in touch with people that keep you grounded and inspired. People that listen to you talk about your crazy plans, and encouraging you, even though they have no idea if you will go through with it. 

I had friends in my teenage years, which we are still friends, who believed in me so much when I said I was going to move to America. They never laughed, they just supported me, the same way they still do, when I tell them I want to create a web series and have my own production company someday. 

Friends don’t laugh at your plans. They push me to keep working. Surround yourself with people that push you forward. People that make plans. Other than just sitting around waiting for life to happen. 

Be positive about your ongoing projects. 

Sometimes it seems hard because nothing is happening, or at least not happening the way you expect it to. When I have a new post on the blog, I monitor to see how many views, comments, how many pins I should keep working on. Even though I have SEO on the blog, sometimes it doesn’t happen. Not overnight. 

I read that a blog takes about two years of consistent work to pick up its pace. It all depends on the subject, the Niche, the sharing platforms, and the marketing. It’s a lot to work on your own. This is the very first time in my life, I didn’t give up on something. I want to make work.  

Creating a schedule or on what to work makes it easier. And don’t get bumped if it didn’t work at first. Keep trying. I heard people say and read in different articles about “How long are you going to be trying so you see this is not gonna work?” What I learned in life is, if it’s truly your passion you don’t give up. You adapt. You make your dreams work for you. 

I have a dream to be a screenwriter, but for now, I will keep writing what I can, to keep my dream alive, while I work for it.  

Read a passage from your favorite book 

Every time I read a book, I underline a few passages I like. The latest one I read was Untamed, by Glennon Doyle. The entire book is a blessing and she is delightful, I finished the book wanting to be friends with her and her family. One of the most iconic lines of the book is: “Now that we don’t have to be good, we can be free.” You don’t need to be good at everything, a good mother, a good wife, a good worker. You can be you, once you break free of whatever is keeping you attached to the wall. 

Another book I keep at my hand’s reach is Big Magic – Creative Living Beyond Fear, from Elizabeth Gilbert. 

This book is a constant reminder that yes, I can live my dream and you can live yours. It doesn’t matter how crazy it sounds. Have I told you about my dream of having a production company (again)? Anyway, my favorite passage of this books says “You don’t need anybody’s permission to live a creative life” 

I didn’t grow up with parents who were creative in any way. Those Boomers only taught me to get in college to get a job and be able to sustain my livelihood. Being an only child was what made me creative. 

From a very early age, I knew I wanted to write, I just didn’t know what or how. In school, I was a very good conversationalist, always telling different stories and talking everyone’s ears out. 

Take your time!

The last thing I want to say is: Take your time. You are not behind, you are not wasting your days if you are not always busy. Watch TV, laugh at those memes and when you feel ready, get up and go work on your dreams. I struggled with that for the longest time, as I keep thinking I’m already in my mid 30’s and didn’t accomplish anything. That’s why I ended up in this rut and had to find ways to cope and try to keep working, instead of feeling sorry for myself. 

Even though there are days when I mope and spend the day feeling sorry for myself. It’s all good.

Hope you had a good beginning of the new year!

Stay strong! Stay Healthy!

J.G.Snelly