Another month, another newsletter! Center staff strives to provide you with a valuable experience, and that includes the monthly newsletter. We enjoy knowing you look forward to each new edition, but while creating this month’s newsletter, I felt uninspired and stuck in a rut.
As I searched my mind for an article topic, I came up empty. Any ideas I had felt like they’d already been done, either in previous newsletters or by other sources, and it felt mundane and unappealing - both to you the reader, and to myself as the writer. So, I decided to talk about something we as staff often experience while creating a newsletter, and a topic that applies to all of us at some point in our lives: when we feel like we’re repeating the same tasks, part of a never-ending cycle, stuck in a rut.
There is almost never a time that staff is not working on a newsletter. As one gets finalized, we begin to prepare the next, gathering details like dates and times, compiling photos and images, resources and Center updates to share, and writing the article. Details are assembled and finalized, the newsletter goes to print, and we begin again!
You have probably felt caught in a loop at some point in your life. Perhaps it is something you struggle with now. Maybe you wake up, have the same breakfast, trek the same route, tackle the same daily tasks, then do it all again the next day. The repetitive grind and familiar script of our daily lives can feel stale and monotonous. It’s easy to live life on autopilot and forget that life is meant to be vibrant and fulfilling. So how can we shake things up?
First, let’s recognize that we are creatures of habit. Routines and patterns make things predictable and less stressful. Our preference for familiarity can be a source of comfort. It is important to keep the routines and traditions that are important to us. However, clinging too tightly to familiarity prevents us from stepping outside our comfort zones, causing each day to blur into the next and go through the motions without enthusiasm and joy. Whether due to our own habits or the repetition of required tasks, sometimes we need to refresh and re-energize.
I studied ways to find motivation when feeling stuck and found useful suggestions for when you need inspiration creatively, you’re bored with a specific task, or with navigating daily life. The following small changes can make a big impact! Change your environment. Take a break or sit outside while accomplishing tasks or enjoying hobbies, walk a different path, or turn down a road you’ve never traveled. A change of scenery can awaken the senses and stimulate your mind. Seek inspiration. Read a book, watch a movie or documentary, listen to music or a podcast - they can expose you to new ideas, new rhythms, new approaches, new people and cultures, and change your perspective. Explore other tasks. Break up duties that aren’t your favorite into pieces. Do something you enjoy. Identify your interests and passions and make time for yourself. Try a new hobby. Have you considered gardening, book club, an exercise class, or billiards? Try these activities and more at The Center! Hobbies are a great way to meet new friends. Seek interaction. Being in isolation contributes to a feeling of monotony. Tackle tasks with someone else, brainstorm fresh approaches, or just share some laughs. Practice self-reflection. Think about the significance of your tasks, your work, your life, and what you want to achieve. Consider your goals. Sometimes we get caught up in to-do lists and lose sight of the big picture. Assess what is important to you and align your actions with these goals. Accept the situation. Being stuck in a rut is a common experience we all share - have compassion for yourself and focus your energy on moving forward!
By utilizing simple strategies, we can break free from the mundane, find joy in everyday tasks, and ensure that we remain focused on what matters. This month I felt uninspired by the repetitive tasks involved in creating another newsletter, but it’s important that you can count on us to provide details and information in an accurate, organized, and visually appealing manner. Knowing that you eagerly await each issue became my motivation. Thank you for your continued support of The Center and all that we do. We’re off to start the next newsletter!
