Pull Yourself Out of That Rut!

For a few weeks, I was in a rut – a big, blah rut that I couldn’t seem to find my way out of. I was grouchy, apathetic, and basically bored with everything. My self-esteem was not at its usual high-point, and I had no idea what the heck was wrong with me.

I know I lead a charmed life by any standards. I’m single during my senior year, I love my family, I have the most amazing friends, I go to a great school, and I live within five blocks of the most scrumptious fro-yo in the world. Life is great. So why the heck didn’t I feel as great as I should?

Well, even now, a few weeks later and finally back in Happyville, I don’t have an answer to that question. Something was just off, and I can’t really explain what it was. All I know is it’s over now thanks to a few things I did for myself. If you’re feeling funkadelic (and not the good kind) – whether caused by boys, school, or an unsolved perpetrator – maybe a few of these activities will help you claw your way out.

Outdoor Activities: Exercise gives you endorphins and endorphins make you happy (and happy people just don’t shoot their husbands, as Elle Woods would say). So get out and go for a hike, or play tennis, or take a dance class! Go solo or with friends, either way, take some time for yourself!
Set a short-term goal for yourself; reaching goals will give you a sense of accomplishment, which generally makes people feel happy and productive. Setting an attainable, short term goal will force you to be proactive and get you motivated.

Even better, make a to-do list of things you want to accomplish and add a few tasks on there that you’ve already completed. Then cross them out. That black line of ink you drag across a bullet point on a to-do list is one of the best feelings in the world. All hail you, master of the list.

Ben & Jerry’s Phish Food/Chunky Monkey: This is sex in a carton. The food gods literally captured sex and bottled it up for the world to enjoy. Both flavors offer chocolaty goodness that you can’t find anywhere else. Yeah, it’s not the healthiest approach to life, but indulging in this will make you feel better, I swear. If you’re worried about the calories and your funk is from the new muffin top you’re sporting, try Skinny Cow ice cream and ice cream sandwiches. They’re almost as good and half the calories (but really, nothing beats Chunky Monkey).

Mani-Pedi: This time-honored tradition can’t be overlooked. There is something magical about getting a mani-pedi at a cheap, local salon. The manicurists may talk about your bad cuticles, but you won’t ever know it, so sit down in the big comfy massage chairs, read all the trashy tabloid magazines, and relax. A little polish can do wonders for your mental health.

Go See a Movie By Yourself: You won’t have to share the popcorn or the arm rest. It’s glorious. This seems intimidating at first, but will give you some major confidence as you see a movie stag and do an activity just by yourself. Nowadays, we are always surrounded by people, whether in your environment or through texting and Facebook, so it’s nice get away every once in a while and hang out with the coolest person you know (yourself, obvi.).

What about you? Have you been in a rut recently? If so, what did you do to get out of it?