Routine is a very good thing. A rut is not. Often we confuse being in a rut with sticking to a routine. Sometimes you’re so far into it that you don’t even recognize how far you’ve gone.
For better or worse, humans are nothing if not adaptable.
The good news is that means it’s not too late to make life a little more exciting and dig your way out of this rut. Let’s break it down, so it’s not overwhelming.
Take an Honest Look at Your Routine
Are there aspects of your routine that you find downright comforting? Do you love coming home from work and crashing on the couch with some Netflix? Is ordering a pizza on Friday night something that brings you joy?
If you can genuinely say, “yes, I love that,” then good for you.
For everyone else, let’s shake it up.
Start Small
You don’t need to start rock climbing or go out for dinner every night. There should be no extremes in this experiment. But if you’re quick to say no whenever a coworker invites you out to a happy hour or your friend is trying a new yoga class, you might be the problem.
Try saying yes once a week. Say yes to one invite this week. See how it feels. Do you feel existential dread about being out of your comfort zone? Too bad. Do it anyway.
Unless you feel seriously unsafe, throw yourself into the event. Give it a good old try. Don’t show up with a bad attitude because you’ll only will yourself into not having any fun. But showing interest in something new can open up a whole new world for you. Who knows, you might even enjoy yourself.
You Don’t Need a Complete Overhaul
You don’t have to become a zen master or go out every night. Being out of your comfort zone can also make you appreciate your routine a little more as well. Next time invite your coworker over and make gourmet pizzas. Host a cozy game night and invite a select group of people.
You’re routine will always be there. People won’t if you keep saying no to all of their invitations. And your brain will thank you for taking a night off from zoning out in front of the routine. Your local pizza joint might miss you, but maybe you can try carry out instead of delivery next time.