The WEGOHEALTH Activist 30 Day Writing Challenge Day 19 

“Everyone has tough days, but how do you pull yourself out of the rut? Maybe you blog, repeat affirmations or listen to a favorite playlist. Write about what tools, tips or practices you use to lift
your spirits after a rough patch.” 

Best way to pull yourself out of a rut is to ” LEAVE THE AREA IMMEDIATELY!” 

I find that leaving the house, the workplace, the situation, whatever the case maybe, is what works best for me. A walk outside, a few hours of doing something out of the normal routine, like a trip to the park or mall, can really help shift my focus. It’s the best way  I know to stop the cycle of that days drama. The night lights of some fancy place or a quiet afternoon under a shade tree, are favorites of mine. I’m don’t get to do either one of those enough. 

On those occasions when physically leaving isn’t possible then a mental shift can be extremely uplifting. Listening to music, reading a book, watching an old movie, or just scrolling through funny videos on YouTube. 

Sometimes cleaning out a closet actually clears my mind. 

But mostly, I write. Writing is a lovely creative process that is a neverending gift. People read it, they comment, it lifts the soul. I rarely get people hating on me for what I write, but when I do, that also can get me out of rut and cause me to think about writing something different. 

The rough patch. I have them more than I’d like, but, when you have dystonia and a brain injury, “rough patches” are part of the package. I try to remember that so far, my track record of surviving a ” rough patch” is 100% and that usually bolsters my spirit. I do know that I get really down when the pain gets high, so I try to have someone to talk to, make a spa day in my bedroom, or just have myself a good long cry. They all work. 

In the end, we all must just keep soldiering on, fighting that good fight, and never forget that you are never alone. 

I say to myself, “Whatever you’re feeling, someone else has felt it too. There are no circumstances that can’t be dealt with if you keep believing in yourself and keep looking for the way out. ”

That’s how I deal with a rut and the really tough, rough days.