mamashonestjournal

Do you feel burnt out, going through the motions? Exhausted but unable to rest? Overstimulated yet somehow unfulfilled?

Well, unfortunately, you may be in a rut.

I found myself feeling exactly like this recently. Lying awake at night with a tired body but a busy mind, tossing and turning, starting the day already exhausted and just powering through.

Maybe your focus isn’t sharp. Your mind feels scattered instead of clear. Maybe your confidence has taken a hit.

If any of this sounds familiar, you are not alone.

Sometimes the solution is simple. Other times it’s more complex than you wish. A rut can be caused by suppressed or unresolved emotions, throwing off the natural flow of your life. Something deeper might be going on.

When I was in my rut, I remembered the story of Elijah. He was so overwhelmed he just wanted to give up, and Jesus basically told him to eat something and rest. Which is so real, because sometimes we’re so dramatic, and God just clocks us. It’s a reminder that small, practical steps can actually help us move forward.

Even if you’re not religious, the principle works. Notice what is weighing you down, release what you can’t control, and take one small step forward.

Here’s what stepping forward can look like:

Get dressed, even if you feel awful. Go outside and feel the sunlight on your skin. Let your emotions in instead of stuffing them down. Step away from constant distractions. Eat something you love. Text someone who knows you well. Make your bed. Take a shower.

Adjust your life as needed. Maybe you need to take things off your plate, or maybe you need to add more. Listen to yourself and act accordingly, but don’t sit in the rut and dwell there too long.

The good news is, ruts are not permanent. Each small step you take brings you closer to feeling like yourself again. Start where you are, do what you can, and trust that momentum will follow.