It’s Time to Get Out of a Life Rut

Ladies, it’s time to dig yourself out.

Do you default to the same outfit every day?

Are you always putting someone else before you?

The kids need this, must get this for husband or boyfriend, my boss needs this.

You’re running around like a crazy person, and yet it’s rarely for what you need. Or what you want.

Stop. Halt. Breathe. Think.

What are you doing?

Is what you’re doing what you want to be doing?

It’s time you added more joy back to your life. It’s time to focus on you just a little bit more.

Yup, I get it. Most of those things have to get done.  But likely not all. Why are you going to three stores searching for something that someone doesn’t really need?  Can you order something online instead of racing around? Can you delegate to someone else (it’s OK if it’s not done as you would)? What can you cut out? I swear everyone will survive.

Be  still, stop, pause and think. This is your life, too.

As women, we get all of it piled on because people know we’ll get it done.

But that’s not fair.

I joke that I’m a little selfish, but it’s true. And, honestly, it’s no joke. And I’m not ashamed to admit it.

I make time to get manicures, to refresh my closet once in a while, to soak up a few minutes for me.

Does anyone else feel sometimes like life is just passing by?

I recently realized it’s been FIFTEEN years since I graduated college. Seriously, WTF. Where did those years ago? What a blur.

We shouldn’t be OK with letting that kind of time go without getting in some must-deserved time for ourselves.

So start doing things for you:

Be Honest and Define Your Joy. What do you wish you were doing? Do days pass and you’re just on a hamster wheel thinking, “ah, time to go to sleep so I can wake up to do it all again?” It’s an honest, common thing but break the cycle so you can start living your life, too.

Find time, even if it’s just a few minutes a day. Start small (I mean, I’m talking 5 minutes to breathe outside, to research about a course you want to take or text friends to plan a girls night).

Treat yo’self. Update your wardrobe with a fair new pair of heels (a nude pair is an awesome option in lieu of your go-to black), enjoy a manicure or book a massage, take a morning off work to simply lay by the beach or pool or somewhere relaxing to you, go to lunch with a girlfriend, take a personal day, buy yourself beautiful flowers. Treating yourself doesn’t have to cost money… do something to invigorate, refresh you.

Get support. Honestly, it’s all about your network and delegating. My husband, my work team, our nanny and our family are godsends. Not only are they all awesome people, they provide me some flexibility so I can do all of the above. I ask for help, I delegate and I know things won’t get done as I would do it but heck, let it go.

Create a habit. Whether it’s once a week or once per month, find pockets of time dedicated to selfishly fulfilling you.

I promise you that you’ll be a better you for yourself AND for others if you get yourself out a life rut that’s solely focused on serving others. You deserve it.