Let's Talk About... Being In A Rut

We've all been there, right? The alarm goes off and it's just another day. You don't feel fulfilled. You aren't excited. You feel like you're stuck. Your drive is gone. Your creativity is gone. You feel like you aren't going anywhere.

The feeling sucks, doesn't it? When you find yourself in a rut, it definitely isn't easy to pull yourself out of it, especially when it feels like you're stuck in a hole so far down there's no way you're getting out.

There have been a couple times that I've felt this way in my life and what I've found each time is that my life wasn't in align with who I am. I had lost myself and had to quiet everything in my life and figure out what made me happy, what made me smile, what gave me passion, and just figure out who the heck I was.


Right before my first internship in college, I was 100 percent in a rut. I was doing the typical college thing, but I didn't feel fulfilled. It felt mundane. I didn't understand what the point was of being there. I was finishing up my core classes and had just started my film classes (my original major), but wasn't enjoying it... at all. What I did enjoy was writing for Her Campus, blogging, and staying up-to-date in all kinds of news - political to entertainment. I finally took my first journalism class and something clicked.

"This is fun."

"I'm good at this!"

It was during that time that I knew I had to take more of these classes. I looked at the journalism classes and they looked so much more enjoyable than my film classes. Later that semester, I decided to double major. Because I was already pretty deep into my film classes and there were still some classes I did want to take, I decided to just major in both. Soon after, I applied for and got offered my first internship and turns out, I was good at that, too!

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It took a few months, but it was during that time that I really learned what I'm passionate about - writing and sharing stories with others and all things media. After my first internship, where I got a taste of what my life post-grad could look like, I fire was lit that still hasn't been put out. That drive is still in me, even almost three years later.

My example of being in a rut was career-based, but no matter where your rut is stemmed from, it probably has something to do with not living your authentic self and living the life God has intended for you. We've all got a purpose.

Related: Let's Talk About... Purpose

It can be hard to find yourself and once you do find yourself, there will be times when you feel like you've lost yourself again, because we change and grow.

The good news is that you can always find yourself. Always. It just takes a little work.

When I'm in a rut, that's when I take extra time to do some soul-searching. It takes specific prayers, where I ask God to show me my purpose. It takes some quiet time. This is where meditation is really important. I meditate every single morning, but some days, I need to meditate just a little longer or at night, too. It takes some self-reflection and this is where journaling plays a big role. Writing is therapeutic. Read a book. There are a ton of motivational ones out there. Do something fun. Explore your hometown. Grab a drink alone. Invite a friend to go on a quick weekend trip.

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When you're in a rut, it just takes a little soul-searching to pull yourself out, but it is possible. You won't be in a rut forever. You'll find your purpose. You'll find your passion. You'll find yourself.

x,
Amanda




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