Here’s How You Can Get Out Of Your Rut And Stay Motivated

I got up and decided to stop complaining and start problem solving.

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Flickr / Joe Diaz
Flickr / Joe Diaz
Flickr / Joe Diaz

Last week I was feeling less than motivated. I’d wake up, check my emails, scroll Instagram for, oh I don’t know, six hours, and then call it a day. I’m procrastinating too much and doubting myself like cray-cray. So last Thursday, after I sat on the floor, eyes welled up with tears whining about how I have no direction and no idea WTF I’m doing, I got up and decided to stop complaining and start problem solving.

Here’s how I got out of my rut and back on the straight and narrow.

Exercise

Whatever that means to you. Meditate, cycle, walk. I like to sweat. I changed for the gym, got on the treadmill, and ran until my legs felt like they were going to fall off (which was approx 15 minutes). Afterwards I felt SO much better, all those endorphins in there blocking the pain receptors. I played loud music and shut my mind off. I stopped hearing the self-doubt monsters and let my body take over.

Afterwards, get showered and put on something that makes you feel good. If that’s sweatpants and a hoodie, cozy up, if it’s that sexy cocktail dress you bought but haven’t figured out where to wear it yet, work it gurl. Fix your hair up pretty even though no one will see. Look good, feel good.

Eat Something Really Freaking Tasty

And healthy-ish. That burger and fries is not going to make you feel productive this afternoon. Get some brain food in ya and make it delicious. Grab something from a nearby restaurant to treat yourself or make a hearty ass sandwich with that panini press that’s been sitting at the back of your cupboard for god knows how long. Don’t look at your phone, don’t sit behind your computer, grab a chair in a neutral space and enjoy your lunch break. YOU ARE YOUR DAMN BOSS.

Prepare your work space

Get rid of all that clutter that’s going to distract you. Make sure you’re in a space where you feel like you can work. Need a change of scenery? Head to a cafe or library. Work best in your own office? Get everything you need so that you don’t have to get up again.

Sit your ass down

OK, fun’s over. Time to get back to work. You’ve cleared your mind, worked your body and replenished it with goodness. You should feel ready to get back to it and conquer the freaking world. Thought Catalog Logo Mark

This post originally appeared at Collecting Labels.