Sometimes life can feel like a broken record playing over and over again. You might be bored with the monotony, or even worse, maybe the same thing keeps placing obstacles in front of you. If you are tired of life, you might be wondering how to make changes. It is always hard to get started, but once you do, it will give you energy and reinvigorate you.
I have found that we have more control over our path than we might think. There are so many little changes we can make to jumpstart our lives in a different direction. The key is in breaking it down and deciding how to take the first step.
If you are feeling stuck, you should know that we have all been there at one point in time. Take a look at the following 15 things to do when you are tired of life to help you get out of the rut.
1. Make a Pros and Cons List
Making a Pros and Cons list of everything in your life can be very helpful. Sometimes, when life grows dull and tiresome, you might feel like you want to just stay home and watch TV or scroll social media. This can be an easy way to avoid the real problems and distract yourself until the next day. Get out a piece of paper, and make two columns: one for Pros and one for Cons.
Now you need to fill the Pros with everything you like about your life. Maybe you like your dog, or maybe you like your job. Break it down, and write everything that gives you fulfillment or pleasure. Next, you need to fill out the Cons. Maybe you want to spend more time with family or you want to get a better job.
When you finish making this list, you will start to see where you can make changes. There are some things that require planning and time to change, but other things may be as easy as deciding to go to the gym every Wednesday. You will have a starting point for making a change if you define the Pros and Cons in your life.
2. Rank Your Pros and Cons
Now that you have a list of the good and the bad in your life, you can rank them. With your Pros list, rank items from best to worst, and for the Cons, do the opposite. Start with the worst thing in your life and end with the best of the worst.
This will help you prioritize making changes. For example, if walking your dog is the best thing in your life, you need to make sure that nothing gets in the way of it. In fact, you might want to schedule more walks. You can find ways to combine things on your list as well. These activities alone will help you to feel as though you are gaining control over your life, which will lead to motivation and lifted spirits.
3. Make a Plan to Change a Con
If it is feasible, start with the Con at the top of your list, and make a plan to change it. Maybe you want to lose 20 pounds. Or, maybe, you want to improve your skills and get a new job. Whatever is at the top of that list, you can make a plan to change it.
Take the example of wanting to change your job. Make another list. What is your ideal job? Are you qualified for it? What skills do you need? How can you take actions to get this new job? Ask yourself questions, and you will start to see a path unfold. You can use this path to make a plan to work toward this first change.
One idea is to set aside a block of time each day to work on this change. If you don’t have a lot of time, set aside 10 minutes. As you make progress, you will feel more motivated, and you may find that you have more time. Setting goals is one of the best ways to take control of your life and help you feel motivated again.
4. Try Something New
Maybe you made a list, but you don’t know what you want to change. It could be that you don’t want to make any major changes, but you are tired of life anyway. This is very possible. One great thing to do is to pick something new and try it. You can try a new restaurant, visit a museum exhibit, or read a new book. Whatever interests you, just schedule it and give it a try.
Often we don’t know how much we will like something until we give it a try. Sometimes getting out into a new environment can change everything. You will meet new people, learn something, and possibly even find your passion. Set a time and pick something new to try, and just commit to it. Try something new each week until you find that thing you love. With something new to look forward to, you may find that you aren’t so tired of life any more.
5. Start a New Exercise Program
Exercise is one of the best ways to release important endorphins and find your joie de vivre. If you aren’t exercising at all, this will be very beneficial to you, and you can start with something as simple as a walk around the block. Build on this by setting goals.
If you already have an exercise routine, add something in to make it more exciting. If you have access to tennis courts, this is a fun way to meet people and try something new. You can also sign up for a class at a gym, where they offer everything from yoga to spin class to kick boxing. Any of these activities can really help to get you out of your rut and move you toward finding life exciting again.
To further enhance your knowledge and expertise, you can also consider taking CPT certification courses, where you can learn more about exercise and how it can positively impact your well-being. It can also open up new opportunities for you to help others on their fitness journeys and help you grow both personally and professionally.
6. Learn Something New
If you have no need for more exercise in your life, mental stimulation can be a great way to learn to enjoy life again. You might want to learn a new language, and there are many online tools. Duolingo is a great website where you can learn one of many languages free of charge.
You can also sign up for a webinar or an online class. You can sign up for self-improvement classes or you might want to join a book club where you read and discuss books. Sometimes adding something new to stimulate your mind is exactly the kick-start you need to start enjoying life again.
Another option is to learn a new language with an online language tutor. This option offers the opportunity to broaden your horizons and expose yourself to diverse cultures and perspectives, ultimately leading to a more fulfilling and enriched life. This option is particularly beneficial when you are feeling tired or stressed, as it provides a positive distraction and helps you maintain a sense of accomplishment and progress.
7. Find a Side Gig
Side gigs are trending in 2020, and there are many to choose from. Do you have any skills or interests? Maybe you write well, and you can pick up a few freelance jobs. Maybe you can help people put their furniture together. If one of your Cons is not making enough money, you might be able to find a side gig for those days off or the weekends.
The great thing about a side gig is that you never know where it will take you. You can start by walking a few dogs, and it might turn into a full-time dog-walking business. Adding a side gig to your life is a great way to find potential opportunities, increase your income, and meet new people. This will definitely make life less dull.
8. Meditate in Nature
The Buddhists say that Siddhartha Gautama meditated for 49 days and became enlightened. You might not have 49 days to sit under a Bodhi tree, but you can find 15 to 30 minutes each day to sit under a tree in your yard or at a park. Meditating is a way to clear your mind and reflect on the meaning of life. If you are tired of life and don’t know why, this could do the trick.
Pick up a simple book on meditation to get the most out of your sessions. Find a location where you feel peace and have the ability to relax. Meditation has so many health benefits for both the body and the mind, so give it a try.
9. Get a Pet
If you live alone and you are stuck in the daily grind, maybe you need a new little friend to brighten your day. Having a furry or winged pet to take care of will give you a new sense of purpose. Dogs make wonderful pets, and there are so many in shelters just waiting to be loved. As long as you have the time and can afford it, this could really change your world.
If getting a dog or cat is too much for you right now, consider a parakeet or a rabbit. They are easy keepers, and they will make you smile. It also helps to have something to take care of. Sometimes life can be lonely and dull, and having a new best friend in the home is the cure.
10. Redecorate Your Space
You don’t need to go crazy to bring new life to your space. You could be tired of looking at the same walls day in and day out. You will be amazed by what paint can do for a room. You can choose a bright warm color such as yellow or orange and paint an accent wall in your room. This will instantly add interest and liven up your life.
If you are looking for a more peaceful atmosphere, try a pale blue or cool green. Painting a room can change the environment and help you get out of a funk. Sometimes we all just need a change of scenery, and this can change the way you feel.
11. Volunteer
You might just need something to get you out of the house. It can be so rewarding to volunteer to help an organization, and there are many that need your help. Animal shelters always need people to help walk the dogs. Youth Centers look for people to help coach kids or act as a mentor. You can even volunteer to help with administrative work for some charities. Or just in your neighborhood, you can volunteer in timebanking activities to strengthen your relationships within that community.
The best way to approach this is to think of a cause that matters to you and give them a call. Most charities are dependent on volunteers, and they will tell you what is available. You can make a difference in the world or in the life of someone (or something) else, and this will make you feel better about your life.
12. Plan a Getaway
It is pretty easy to get stuck in a rut when you do the same thing day after day, week after week. There is nothing like a weekend getaway to relax and recharge. When you get away from your daily life and unwind, you will come home more motivated with a fresh perspective. You can plan a simple weekend trip nearby or something more elaborate further away.
13. Look for Micro Meanings
When you look at the TV or social media, it is easy to feel as though your life pales in comparison to what it should be. You see images of people “living the dream,” and it is hard not to compare your life to theirs. The thing to remember is that people only show the best parts of their lives, and often those images are misleading.
Often people get trapped in a sense that they need to completely transform themselves to become happy. This is simply not the case. You need to look for the micro meanings, which means find something that drives you to take action. Look at your life, and determine the smallest step toward change. Take that step. That could be eating a healthy meal or going for a walk. Stay away from the idealistic big picture and stick with the little things.
14. Take a Break From Social Media
Social media is both a blessing and a curse. It is wonderful to be able to stay in touch with friends and family near and far, but we all have more “friends” than we need, and it can lead to an unhealthy perception of reality.
Often when people are tired of life, they are subconsciously comparing their lives to what they see on social media. If this rings a bell, you should take a break. You have to remind yourself that people only post the moments they are proud of, and there is much going on behind the scenes that you don’t see. Profiles are an illusion, so they should never be used as a point of comparison. Taking a break may be just what you need.
15. Start a Journal
If you have tried making lists and you just can’t come up with changes to make, start writing in a journal. You can start with as little as you want, even just a few sentences a day. Try to write a few things you are grateful for and a few that you aren’t, and see where it takes you. You will unlock your mind, and you never know what you might discover. At the end of a week or a month, you may find the answers you need.
Conclusion
Many people reach a point where they are tired of life and may feel stressed, but you can overcome it by changing things up. It is easy to get stuck in the monotony of daily life and lose track of what you want or feel as though it can never change. You need to find a way to shake it up, and there are many different things you can do. Start by trying to write it out, but if that doesn’t work, do something new. Try a new dish, go for a walk, or volunteer to help others and you will start to unlock your inner joy.
