Last week I was talking with a friend, who said that he felt like he was living the movie Ground Hog Day. In this movie, every morning the main character woke up to the same day. Over and over he re-experienced everything that had happened the day before. He was different, but circumstances were the same so he didn’t feel he was getting anywhere. Eventually, he learned from it and was able to move on, but the process was slow and confusing.
My friend said his life is like that right now. He has the same daily routines with the same people, he’s feeling stuck, and is trying to figure out what the lesson is and how to break out of this rut.
I can relate to what he’s feeling because I’ve been there many times. It’s too easy for me to create a comfort zone of routines that I go through almost automatically. At times this can be soothing because it’s easy and emotionally safe. But if I stay there too long I notice that my brain gets fuzzy and I don’t’ find life to be as fun as I do when I’m pushing myself to take on new challenges and move ahead.
Recently I’ve been in one of those slumps where I feel stuck. It took me a while to recognize it since it’s so easy to drift along in the comfort zone. However, now that I’m aware, it’s starting to annoy me. I can’t stay stuck any longer, so it’s time for me to gather my courage, make a plan, pay attention, look ahead, and get moving again.
So this month I’m reflecting on how easy it is to fall into comfortable routines and let life pass me by. I’m reminding myself that it’s OK to stay there and relax for a while but to remember that it’s not a permanent place and if I want to really enjoy my life I need to look ahead, get unstuck and move.
It’s something to think about.
Sandy Abell
Sandy Abell is a best-selling author, life and business coach, speaker, and Licensed Counselor. She specializes in working with professionals, entrepreneurs, and people dealing with life transitions, and is the author of the Amazon bestseller Feeling Good About You and Moving Up To Management for New Supervisors (both available on Amazon.com). Please visit Sandy on her website at www.insidejobscoach.com to contact her or check out her books and sign up for her free newsletters.
