By Susan K. Boyd, MS, MFT

You hear the phrase and sometimes say it out loud, “I am in a rut.” What, exactly, is a rut and how did you get there? The definition is, a settled and monotonous routine that is hard to escape. This is an interesting phenomenon because no one and nothing is, actually, holding you there. Yet, like one of those computerized ankle bracelets the police put on a felon to keep him or her from going anywhere but home or work, you only go to certain places and no further.
Maybe you got stuck in a rut because your favorite things are so close and handy and you live within a few minutes of the beach. But let me ask you what I ask myself, “Why aren’t you walking on that beach or getting in or on the water?” Do you, also, make false promises to yourself about events you always wanted to attend? “I am going to go to that festival next time it comes around or to that concert next spring.” But then, something comes up, you are too tired or it is just too much trouble to get ready.
You don’t live in snow country where you have to shovel your way out of the driveway to go get a carton of milk. Most of these, beautiful, Central Coast towns are between 15 minutes to a half hour away, and you can leave the top down on your convertible soaking up the sun while you get there.
People stay young and interesting because they are interested in trying new things! This keeps the mind alert and open, the attitude positive and hopeful, with less rigidity, and emotions more stable and relaxed. But to get out of a rut you have to charge out of it like a car stuck in a ditch along the side of the road. Slow won’t make much difference. Step on the gas and get moving.
So what are you willing to try this month that you only thought about last year at this time? Here are a few suggestions coming up soon and close to where you live: Boz Scaggs at the Performing Arts Center in SLO on May 19, the Strawberry Festival in Arroyo Grande on May 23-24, the 21 Annual Avila Beach Blues Festival with headliners like Bonnie Raitt on May 24, the 3rd Annual Central Coast Oyster & Music Festival at the Avila Beach Golf Resort on June 6 from 12-8 p.m., and Cambria’s 15th Annual Gene Cerise Country Coast Classic Bike ride on June 27.
The above list is a small sample of what is available to anyone willing to leave his or her rut in the dust.  Are you ready to experience life outside of the rut?  (I am leaving mine for the Bonnie Raitt concert. See you there!)

Susan K. Boyd is a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist in private practice in SLO. Contact her for counseling at (805) 782-9800 or email: or see www.susankboydmft.com.