# What do you do when you are in a rut? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [October 23, 2011, 2:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-do-when-you-are-in-a-rut/600501 "2011-10-23T02:23:06Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Captain\_C](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e5b9ba/32.png) [@Captain\_C](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Captain_C)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2011, 2:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-do-when-you-are-in-a-rut/600501/1 "2011-10-23T02:23:06Z")
Well, it’s that time that rolls around every few years: I get in a major rut. No kids, and girlfriend works opposite shifts so I have a lot of free time alone. I’ve been at my job long enough that it isn’t new and exciting, but not long enough that I can compete for a promotion. I just finished reading my latest batch of books, and there’s no video games on the horizon that I can’t wait to play. I’ve been doing a lot of independent research related to my job, but nothing that’s ever going to make a lick of difference past making me slightly better at it. Now, last time I felt this way I packed up my car one day and moved 6 states away (Michigan to Texas). Got bored after a month and came back. That was fun, but since I’m still paying that off I can’t afford that again. Got a M.S. degree once when bored as well. Recently I’ve been trying a lot of new hobbies, but nothing has caught my interest yet. What do you all do when you get in a rut? Apply for a different job? Go on a shopping spree to change your style of dress? Buy a quasi-dangerous toy like a jet-ski? Get a new pet? ---
**Author:** ![brittekland](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/aeb1de/32.png) [@brittekland](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brittekland)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2011, 2:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-do-when-you-are-in-a-rut/600501/2 "2011-10-23T02:38:39Z")
Travel to a different country for a month or two and see how you feel about things. That always changes my perspective and sometimes open up new possibilities. ---
**Author:** ![jz78817](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jz78817/32/1028_2.png) [@jz78817](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jz78817)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2011, 2:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-do-when-you-are-in-a-rut/600501/3 "2011-10-23T02:40:53Z")
I do nothing but wallow in it. > [@brittekland](#): > > Travel to a different country for a month or two and see how you feel about things. That always changes my perspective and sometimes open up new possibilities. spending other people’s money sure is easy, isn’t it? ---
**Author:** ![msmith537](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d9b06d/32.png) [@msmith537](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/msmith537)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2011, 4:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-do-when-you-are-in-a-rut/600501/4 "2011-10-23T04:04:52Z")
> [@Captain\_C](#): > > I just finished reading my latest batch of books, and there’s no video games on the horizon that I can’t wait to play. Not excited about Battlefield 3? IMHO what you are describing is less of a “rut” and more of a general feeling of boredom and directionlessness. The problem when you move to a new city or take a new job is that you don’t really know anyone and haven’t yet built any real connection to the place. The “newness” can be exciting in and of itself for a little while. But at some point if you aren’t developing relationships or routine or some sort of connection to the place, you get board and want to move on. ---
**Author:** ![Rachellelogram](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rachellelogram/32/8689_2.png) [@Rachellelogram](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rachellelogram)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2011, 5:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-do-when-you-are-in-a-rut/600501/5 "2011-10-23T05:00:25Z")
Take up a cheap, offbeat hobby like mountain hiking or geo-caching. Go to [meetup.com](http://meetup.com) and do new things. Without mincing words, it sounds like you’re incredibly volatile. Most people don’t feel the need to completely uproot their life when they get into a predictable pattern of events and behavior. Maybe it’s just good old-fashioned wanderlust, but is it possible you’re running away “from something”? ---
**Author:** ![Inigo\_Montoya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inigo_montoya/32/124_2.png) [@Inigo\_Montoya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inigo_Montoya)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2011, 1:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-do-when-you-are-in-a-rut/600501/6 "2011-10-27T13:38:31Z")
Typically I’ll wander aimlessly through the woods but with a maniacally determined look in my eyes. When I chance upon a female of breeding age I’ll follow her around, maybe with some grass & weeds tangled up in my antlers, and mate as often and as furiously as I can. Often I’ll need to keep several females around to satisfy my lust. And heaven help the poor bastard who tries to come between me and my harem! ---
**Author:** ![GrandWino](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grandwino/32/67_2.png) [@GrandWino](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GrandWino)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2011, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-do-when-you-are-in-a-rut/600501/7 "2011-10-27T16:09:08Z")
> [@Inigo\_Montoya](#): > > Typically I’ll wander aimlessly through the woods but with a maniacally determined look in my eyes. When I chance upon a female of breeding age I’ll follow her around, maybe with some grass & weeds tangled up in my antlers, and mate as often and as furiously as I can. Often I’ll need to keep several females around to satisfy my lust. And heaven help the poor bastard who tries to come between me and my harem! Bravo.