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Ask HN: How do you get out of a rut?

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Re: Ask HN: How do you get out of a rut?

#171

Post by circleit »

oliwarner wrote: post #90

> I've found myself sitting at my desk each evening Wait, isn't that what daytime is for? Get out. Play games. Read. Write. Ride a bike. Build something with your hands, with code, whatever. Hit the gym. Cook complicated dishes. Go to restaurants. Join a club and make some friends. Even sleep more. You need to find what you like to do with your time, and truth is it's probably not what you want it to be. Picking up h…

Lol…yea, same thing happened to a comment I made a few weeks ago. Everyone started talking about all the drugs they take and it’s a chemical thing and that there’s no other hope without them. This is where we are at in this country. Look at all the drug commercials on tv. And then…you know, people against the vaccination drugs but that take tons of others. I’ve given up on people at this point. They are so lost.

Advice to OP. Just do anything besides what you are currently doing and that will change your trajectory. Like try not working at your desk and work somewhere else. Work different hours. Don’t work and do something else. Just don’t do what you’re doing - do one of the infinite amount of things you could do otherwise

Re: Ask HN: How do you get out of a rut?

#172

Post by luhego »

This used to work for me when I was younger so take it with a grain of salt. Try watching motivational videos from Jim Rohn, Brian Tracy, Les Brown or read self-help books like Think and Growth Rich or The Greatest Saleman in the World. They can motivate you long enough to start things but their effect diminishes with time.

Re: Ask HN: How do you get out of a rut?

#173

Post by thewarrior »

moneywoes wrote: post #167
thewarrior wrote: post #120

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I agree with the above advice but it’s not immediately actionable for someone in OPs situation. You have given a how but it’s hard to do without a why. Burnout and lethargy are due to both physical and mental health factors that feed into each other. A two track strategy is needed. First for your physical health - Increase the amount fresh fruit and veg in your diet. Reduce sugars and carbs. - Go for a run in the mor…

Fruit have tons of carb don’t they?

They also have lots of vitamins and nutrients.

Re: Ask HN: How do you get out of a rut?

#175

Post by shime »

escapedmoose wrote: post #152
protontorpedo wrote: post #64

If you're anything like me, or anything like 90% of humanity, you can't rely on motivation to progress in life (whatever your idea of progression is). None of the platitudes or self-help-shaped advice you read here or on Reddit will help you with that. You can't trick yourself. What works for me is, as much as I don't like the word, discipline. I take an hour every week to review my routine and plans, when I'm inspir…

I've been using the same technique as you for at least 2 years now, and while I probably do get more done that way, sometimes I feel like it's sapping the life force out of me. Even when what I'm executing is creative, the process makes everything feel robotic. I'm really struggling with that lately.

I know exactly what you are talking about. After following Ultraworking Lights [1] for a couple of months, everything started feeling mechanical for me. So, I've stopped doing it and instead started doing anything I just feel like doing each day. Which comes with its own set of problems.

[1]: https://www.ultraworking.com/lights

Re: Ask HN: How do you get out of a rut?

#177

Post by abecedarian »

thewarrior wrote: post #120
oliwarner wrote: post #90

> I've found myself sitting at my desk each evening Wait, isn't that what daytime is for? Get out. Play games. Read. Write. Ride a bike. Build something with your hands, with code, whatever. Hit the gym. Cook complicated dishes. Go to restaurants. Join a club and make some friends. Even sleep more. You need to find what you like to do with your time, and truth is it's probably not what you want it to be. Picking up h…

I agree with the above advice but it’s not immediately actionable for someone in OPs situation. You have given a how but it’s hard to do without a why. Burnout and lethargy are due to both physical and mental health factors that feed into each other. A two track strategy is needed. First for your physical health - Increase the amount fresh fruit and veg in your diet. Reduce sugars and carbs. - Go for a run in the mor…

In the past day I’ve applied a few of your suggestions and found an improvement. It is amazing how much of a difference meditation and variety have on mental health. Thank you!

Re: Ask HN: How do you get out of a rut?

#178

Post by abecedarian »

oliwarner wrote: post #90

> I've found myself sitting at my desk each evening Wait, isn't that what daytime is for? Get out. Play games. Read. Write. Ride a bike. Build something with your hands, with code, whatever. Hit the gym. Cook complicated dishes. Go to restaurants. Join a club and make some friends. Even sleep more. You need to find what you like to do with your time, and truth is it's probably not what you want it to be. Picking up h…

These are excellent points. Today I cooked a new dish and found the process remarkably satisfying.

> Life isn't going to leave you behind

Thank you. I guess it’s easy to fall into the habit of focusing solely on the future. I’m going to take your advice and work on things I can change now to start gaining momentum again.

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