Every one of us has felt like ‘life has become monotonous and colourless’ at least once in our lives. I know I have. There are times when I find myself going through days on autopilot, checking off boxes, but not really feeling fully alive for any of them.
It’s not as if there is some tragic error, but deep down there’s a sense of emptiness. That there has to be more to life than boring, mundane chores. What is ridiculous is that I find myself daydreaming about spontaneously going to do something enjoyable and immediately talking myself out of it.
So, I talked it out with some friends and found out the reason why I’ve been feeling stuck, and almost everyone pointed out ‘Maybe you need something new in your life’. If any of this sounds familiar, maybe it’s time to identify the subtle signs that you’re feeling without recognizing them.
What Used To Energize You Now Drains You
Life grows stale, and it may not hit you all at once. But there are subtle signs. Your dream job that used to be satisfying and fun now seems mundane. You power through projects, you get work done, but you don’t see much beyond the immediate project. You might think it’s a phase, you’re just stressed out, but as time goes by, you grow more out of it instead of going back.
This emotional exhaustion is often the first sign that you’ve outgrown your current state and need to move on to something better. We’re humans, and our skills and interests naturally change as we age. You’re not the same person you were a decade ago, and you won’t be the same a decade after. When you change, but your environment doesn’t, it causes misalignment and breeds boredom or frustration.
You Find Daydreaming of ‘Something Else’
Perhaps it hit you one day that your ‘what if’ moments are increasing day by day. You’re constantly thinking:
What if I tried a new role?
What if I moved?
What if I get a new degree?
I know we all think about such things in our daily routines. But if that daydreaming takes hours of your day, it’s suggesting something critical. You need a change. For example, if you are a nurse and wonder what else there is to do besides wear scrubs and obey commands all your life, a bsn to msn program can help you advance your career and get on the ground floor of new opportunities. In other words, your daydreams may be a gentle push to upgrade yourself and become a newer, improved you.
Things Frustrate You More Than They Should
When you’re doing what you love, it’s relatively easy to shrug off any minor annoyances. But when you’re desperate for something new, it feels like you’re always on the verge of madness. Everything takes a toll on you, and you may feel hypersensitive about dynamics at work, even the small stuff. You have your head jerked back and forth between ‘I’m OK,’ and ‘There’s no way I can keep going.’
That level of internal tension and frustration is a sure indication that you’ve outgrown where you are and need something new in your life.
You’re Drawn To New Ideas
Have you found yourself drawn to new ideas or creative activities? It’s not just that you’re bored; it’s your mind luring you ahead to something new. You might have become engrossed, out of the?blue, with gardening, painting, journaling, cooking, pottery, or some other activities.
These newfound curiosities are usually the early signs of deep inner growth. Your brain might not have named it yet, but it’s still drawn towards new desires on repeat. Now, it doesn’t mean that you have to rationalize your way out of these tugs by turning them into grand 10-year plans, but rather, you can accept the change and grow yourself through the process.
Your Body Is Sending Signals
The signs of internal change are not limited to emotional signals, but they often come out in the form of physical signals. Like your whole body is telling you that it’s enough, you need to grow. These physical signs can be:
- Sunday-night dread
- Low-grade anxiety
- Repeated headaches
- Tiredness even after a good night’s sleep
- Feeling burdened by things that used to feel light and easy.
You can’t ignore the emotional or physical signs of burnout because it’ll only escalate further. Your body never lies. If you find your situation getting out of control, then it might be time to man up and admit a change is in order.
How To Get Started on Making a Change
Recognizing the signs and deciding that you’re ready for change is incredible, and frankly, I believe it’s the most challenging part. So, a natural next question you might ask is: Alright… Now what?
Well, let’s find out.
Pay attention to what drains you the most: Give yourself space and see what feels heavy, what’s draining. You can attempt a journal, or at the very least, you can write down your thoughts and feelings in your phone’s notepad. It helps zero in on the patterns you’ll otherwise overlook.
Clarify what you want: Now that you know what’s not working for you, define how it’s going to feel better.
Experiment a little: If you like the idea of doing something, take a short course, volunteer, or freelance. It will help you determine whether something is for you.
Redesign before resigning: The biggest mistake most people make is that they leave their jobs before deciding what they want to do next. Run experiments alongside your day job and figure out what really works best for you. Just don’t do something you’ll regret down the road.
Many people will continue doing the same things until they break down before making the decision to change something. But I hope you won’t do the same. Not all change is big enough to upend your life. You don’t have to rush anything. Start by walking one step at a time and naturally make your way towards a better life. You’ve outgrown a chapter, and the next one is waiting patiently.
