Feeling stuck in a rut? Bogged down in responsibilities? Or do you feel like every day is the same? If so, a slight change to your routine may be in order.
Fortunately, you’ve come to the right place. In this post, I share five ways you can break free from the monotony of your everyday schedule.
- Learn a new skill.
If you’ve always wanted to learn a craft, instrument, language, or other skill, why not give it a try?
According to Dennis Buttimer, M.Ed, CEAP, RYT, CHC, a life and wellness coach at Cancer Wellness at Piedmont, learning a new skill thickens your brain’s prefrontal cortex and gives you more confidence and courage.
By challenging yourself to learn a skill you’ve never tried before, you’re exposing your brain to new patterns, and this can help you to feel more empowered within yourself.
- Take a different route to work, school, or on your daily walk.
We usually tend to stick with the same routines day in and day out, so if you’re feeling stuck, one simple way to break the same old is to do something differently.
According to Lifehack, taking a different route to work forces your brain to problem-solve and think creatively, and it exposes your brain to new stimuli.
Who knows what could come from this? You may discover a more efficient route, find some scenery you like, or meet a kind stranger. At the very least, your brain will get a novel experience.
- Make note of what sparks joy within you – and schedule those activities in your day.
One suggestion The Good Trade provides is to create a joy list of everything – big and small – that brings joy to your life, whether it’s simple moments like reading a good story or sipping your morning coffee, or bigger moments like hosting a get-together with your friends or working towards your dreams.
By shifting your focus to what brings you joy, you train your mind to focus on what you have rather than what you lack, and this can give you the fuel you need to see you through each day.
- Invite an old friend out to lunch or coffee.
Sometimes we get so caught up in the business of work and family responsibilities that we forget to schedule time to catch up with friends.
But our friendships need nurturing just as much as our family and work relationships, and by re-establishing a connection with someone, both you and your friend can benefit in several ways.
According to VeryWellMind, reconnecting with old friends can help us relive happy memories, reconnect with our past selves, and enhance our sense of connection to others.
So, consider calling up an old friend and inviting them out. Chances are, they’ll be happy to hear from you again.
- Work on a creative project.
According to Creative Live, taking on a personal project that reflects your curiosity can help you discover your strengths, weaknesses, passions, and dislikes.
By brainstorming, researching, and experimenting with ideas, you’’l learn more about who you are and what drives you. This process of exploration and experimentation can pull you out of your regular routine and help you find greater meaning.
A personal project could take any form. For example, you could write a book, compose a song, create a portfolio of photos, or even make a short film. Any project that reflects your interests is worth pursuing.
When life seems monotonous and a bit dull, making even small changes to your daily routine can make a huge difference in how you feel. Let me know in the comments if you have any other ideas on how to add more novelty into everyday life.
This is indeed … the part where you break free (as Ariana Grande would say).
Reflect and Nourish 
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