The difference of course is that when you are in a rut you have the chance to get out. But you have to know you are in one and you have to want to get out. If you are in a car you expect to go somewhere. Being in a rut is at odds with that and you struggle to get out of it. Of course to do that, you often have to get out of your comfort zone (the car) and get yourself dirty.
But what about when you aren’t in a car. What about when it’s just life you are in. How do you even know you are in a rut? Some indicators are that you feel bored, dissatisfied, antsy, unfulfilled. You might be doing passive aggressive activities that are meant to break up the monotony of your life even though you don’t even know it. You could even be doing some self-destructive things that are really in the place of successfully getting out of a rut.
One thing is certain, to get out of a rut you must change something. It might be as simple as getting out of a car and giving it a push. You might just have to call for help. You might have to get hot, sweaty and dirty.
But maybe the rut isn’t the hole in the ground. Maybe the rut is in you. Then what? It’s no longer about changing the outside environment. It’s no longer about changing jobs or boyfriends or girlfriends or homes or cities or hairstyles or shoes. Now it’s about changing your attitude, your outlook, your understanding.
Attitude, Outlook and Understanding. Those are the real tow trucks out of your rut.
Drawing and commentary by Marty Coleman of The Napkin Dad Daily
Quote by Ellen Glasgow, 1873-1945, Pulitzer Prize winning American Novelist
Napkin Dad geographic trivia for June –
- Most pages viewed in one visit – 16.5 – Belgium
- Longest time on the site in one visit – 21.03 minutes – Egypt
- Northern most visitor – Wasilla, Alaska, USA (maybe Sarah?)
- Southern most visitor – Launceston, Tasmania, Australia