How to motivate yourself to change if you are addicted to Groundhog Day

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

A couple of lists will help you break out of the boring routine.

Every day the same thing: there is enough strength only to move from home to work and back, cook food, work with children and perform a few more basic functions. But there are no resources to try something new, although you really want to dilute the usual routine, albeit a little.

So you have been dragged on by Groundhog Day. The good news is you can get out of it.

How to understand that "groundhog day" has come

This is not the same as the measured rhythm of life. Routine isn't always a bad thing. Someone, on the contrary, is comfortable when there is a clear schedule, stability and predictability. Here are some signs that you are stuck in Groundhog Day.

• Your every day is like the previous one, and it makes you sad.
• You want to change, but you lack the strength to change something in your life.
• You are in a depressed mood all the time.
• You are not happy with what you do and the kind of people around you.
• You do not see any prospects, you do not know where to go next and how to break the boring routine.

How to pull yourself out of Groundhog Day

Here are some ideas.

Finish unfinished business

The letters you need to finally send, the documents you need to complete, the cabinets you need to disassemble, and the dentists you need to make an appointment with, all of this imperceptibly draws energy out of you. Unfinished business falls on the shoulders with a heavy burden, whispers a sense of guilt, pulls down and interferes with movement.

It turns out to be a vicious circle: old unresolved tasks prevent you from setting goals and doing something new. Try to finish what you started slowly, in small steps. Make a list of all the questions that are waiting for your attention. Start with the easiest ones - the ones that take the least time: make a call, write a letter, take your things to the dry cleaner.

When you cope with something, cross it out: it is very pleasant, it cheers you up and helps you to believe in yourself. After you cross out all the old tasks, you have the space and inspiration to tackle something new.

Write down everything you do during the day

Conduct a thorough audit of your daily tasks. Include in the "report" everything you did - from brushing your teeth to reading before bed. Do not ignore even very small and seemingly insignificant things like washing dishes or taking your child to school.

Then take a close look at the list that you got, and think about what you can remove from it. Perhaps some tasks can be delegated to family members or special services, while others can be completely abandoned.

For example, instead of going to the store on your own, try to arrange delivery: it will cost the same, but it will save a couple of hours a week. Or try to spend less time in meaningless Internet surfing: it gives little, but it takes up precious minutes and siphons energy.

Even if it seems to you that all your affairs are extremely important and necessary, most likely you will be able to free at least an hour or two a week.

Write down everything you would like to do

Go dancing? Learn English? Play the ukulele? Grow bonsai? Make a list of the activities you've been wanting to try for a long time. Do not think about how practical these activities and hobbies are, whether they will be useful or fit into your schedule. If you think it will be interesting and fun, feel free to add the activity to the list.

The very process of compiling it is very inspiring, uplifting, gives strength and motivation.

Fill in the blanks

When you're done with the list, pick the one that’s most interesting - the one you’re ready to start right now. Maybe it will be tai-bo classes, or maybe clay modeling or sewing courses.

Now take a look at your updated daily schedule - where the little free windows have appeared. And write a new activity in them. If you only have 20 free minutes a day, that's okay. Even 20 minutes spent on an exciting and joyful activity will help dilute the routine, cheer you up and motivate you for new goals. After all, one positive change often pulls others along with it.

And do not forget that you can simply spend the free time on rest: take a nap, lie on the couch with a book, sit on the lawn in the park. This is also important for your psychological comfort.