Have you been feeling lazy and unproductive in the past few weeks? If so, you’re probably in a rut. Try switching up your space to break out of it.
When the lockdowns initially happened in 2020, everyone was stuck at home. Many people also had to work and attend school from home.
This was difficult for most. But as time passed, so did their frustrations with working from home.
They developed routines and got used to them. However, this caused many people to hit a rut because pretty much everything that they did was in their home.
I know I did.
I will admit, however, that I normally primarily work from home. For me, I spend most of my day at my desk writing.
But since I couldn’t go anywhere else to work (because most places were closed), such as to a coffee shop or to my tutoring centre, I entered a slump; my energy felt low and my creative juices were drying out as well.
I felt stuck.
Noticing this, I had a feeling that it was my workspace that was hindering my productivity.
At first, I thought it was the lighting and the lack of sunlight in my workspace.
So, I packed up some of my gear and moved to my kitchen to work for a few days because there’s more natural light there and it was a different space.
And surprise, surprise (not really), my mojo started filling back up.
I eventually moved back to my original workspace. But since I had just interrupted my daily routine, I didn’t hit another rut.
How Do I Know I’m In Rut?
Okay, so how do you know if you’re in a rut?
Well, if you feel unproductive or uncreative and a short break to take your mind off things didn’t improve your energy levels, you are in a rut.
If you’ve been constantly procrastinating and you just can’t seem to get yourself to focus on your work, you’re probably in a rut.
How To Break Out Of Ruts
So, how can you get out of it?
The first thing I suggest you do is to take a short break. Then, when you come back, find or create a new workspace.
This will help you get out of the rut because it will disrupt your regular routine.
And when you disturb your routine every now and then, it does something to your brain that helps inspire creativity and thus helps you break out of ruts.
It’s like you’re telling your brain to get off of autopilot so that you can steer and explore.
How to Find a New Workspace
Normally, leaving your house and going to a coffee shop or library (or such) is best.
These places are filled with people working and this environment can inspire you. But if you can’t or don’t want to go out, try working in a different room in your house.
Ideally, I want a room with a lot of sunlight and desk space.
Even though I don’t need many things (just my iPad, portable keyboard, and notebook), the openness of the room, for whatever reason, allows me to think more freely. I’m able to be more creative; I don’t feel clustered up and cramped.
But this is just what I prefer.
You may want something totally different and that’s fine. The important thing is that you find a comfortable temporary workspace that will help you get back into your grooves.
Final Thoughts on How to Break Out of Ruts
There are many ways to get out of a rut. But changing up your space, even temporarily, is one of the easiest ways.
You don’t have to change much.
All you have to do is pack up your core work essentials, put them into a backpack, and walk to a different area to work a couple of times.
It’ll break you out of the monotony of your everyday routine and inspire you.
The move will disrupt your daily habits and charge you up.
So, if you’re feeling unenergetic and unproductive, work from a different space.