Hard But Worth It: Three Life Changes To Break Out of A Rut

By: Jennifer McGregor

Do you feel stuck in a rut? There will always be days when life feels mundane, but if you’re feeling uninspired more often than not, it’s a sign that you need to make a change. Instead of plugging along, doing the same thing you’ve been doing, use these ideas to inspire a big change in your life.

Get a Pet

Not everyone is a pet person. But there are probably just as many of us who want a pet but are worried about the responsibility. Are you really ready to schedule your life around a pet and navigate all the unknowns of adopting an animal?

There’s no denying that pet ownership can be hard. Even if your pet is low-maintenance, there’s training, daily exercise, and a constant stream of fur to deal with. But pets are also wonderful additions to the home. On top of being cute and cuddly, pets are a boon to our physical and mental health. Pets decrease stress and blood pressure, improve your mood, and encourage you to get active. As long as you adopt the right pet for your household and make the right preparations, there’s no reason to put off getting a pet. 

Cats only need a few basic supplies and a sunny perch to be happy, but if you’re adopting a dog, vet dog walkers and sitters, and consider hiring a trainer if you’re a first-time dog owner. If you plan to train your pet yourself, focus on gentle tactics but don’t write off more conventional methods like e-collars. While some e-collars deliver a shock, many use beeps and vibrations to get your dog’s attention instead.

Ask for a Promotion

Asking for a promotion is scary, but it’s something you have to do. Even in industries known for job-hopping, a promotion is seen as a sign that you’re someone the company can rely on. That could lead to an even more senior position and higher pay the next time you search for a job.

Asking for a promotion isn’t something you should do on a whim. If you want to convince your boss you deserve more responsibility and higher pay, you need to make a case for yourself. Compile evidence of your work accomplishments and be prepared to highlight the skills that show you’re ready for new challenges. You should also have numbers in mind before meeting with your boss — PayScale is a good place to learn the going rate for the job you’re after.

Move to a New City

Whether you’re struggling to find a job in your city, getting crushed by high costs of living, or just ready for a change of scenery, relocating can be a great move. A new city gives you a fresh start and new opportunities, but how do you pull off a move to a city where you don’t know anyone?

Finding a job before you move is the safest way to relocate. However, some companies are wary of hiring employees who are out-of-state, especially if they don’t want to pay relocation costs. If you’re not getting interviews, try looking for a remote job instead. With a remote job, you can work for companies located anywhere in the U.S. and take your job with you whenever you move. As for finding a place to live, look for a sublease, month-to-month rental, or vacation rental where you can stay while you get to know the city. Once you have the lay of the land, you can look for a permanent home.

Life changes come in all kinds of packages, from a rambunctious ball of fur to a small apartment in a big new city. No matter what type of life change you’re after, the best thing you can do is go for it! After all, the only way that things change is if you change them.

Image via Unsplash

About the Author

Jennifer McGregor is a pre-med student, who loves providing reliable health and medical resources for PublicHealthLibrary.org users. She wants her writing to help make the world a better, healthier place by making it easier for people to find high-quality health information on the web.

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