In a Spiritual Rut
Like any creative outlet, it’s inevitable to sometimes hit a block. And spiritual practices are no different. All of this is especially common when you are overwhelmed with stressors in your life or experiencing problems with your mental health. Even though it would probably help to get back into mediating or journaling, when you are in a low mood or are anxious it feels impossible to find the energy to engage in spirituality. It can feel frustrating and even invalidating when you suddenly feel unmotivated.
Unfortunately the only real way to get back into the routine of engaging in spiritual practices (or anything you love) is to just start. This is probably not what you want to hear, but it’s the truth. Daunting as it may be, finding the motivation to get back into a routine will enable you to be back to your normal self.
Setting realistic, small goals is an effective way to start back up again. A realistic goal is going to be different for everyone. For some it might be engaging in a spiritual practice for a small amount of time, like five or ten minutes, every day or just completing one tarot spread or one guided meditation. Or for others, doing something everyday as small as it might be too intimidating or unattainable. If that’s the case try spending a small amount of time twice or three times a week to engage in some sort of spiritual practice (for ideas check out our article on Simple Morning Rituals to start your day).
Now let’s talk about what happens when you miss a day or break your goal because it will happen. And that’s totally okay! It is crucial to remember to be forgiving to yourself and that we are all on a spiritual journey with ups and downs. For some periods of time we are addicted to learning and growing with our intuitive exercises and other times we find ourselves in a rut with no inspiration or motivation.
When you make a mistake or slack on a daily goal, quickly forgive yourself and then ask why did I not complete a goal? Was it because I was too busy? How can I update my goals and fit them into my schedule? Was it because I felt too unmotivated to start? How can I set myself up for success (try setting reminders, creating a space in your home to be spiritual and have it set and ready to go at all times, meet up with a friend and work together, etc.)? After you reflect and ask yourself these questions, reassess and set a new plan. It is also helpful to journal about why you set these goals in the first place so you can reflect and remind yourself at any time. Forgiving yourself for making mistakes is the most important part of ending a rut.
After being consistent with your small and realistic goals, try building up your goals slowly over time to work for longer periods of time or more days a week. Soon you will be able to move away from a set schedule and work freely.
Additionally, using your spiritual practices can also help you get out of a rut! Try tarot card spreads that analyze your spiritual block, meditating, journaling, talking with your ancestors/spirit guides, or doing spell work to encourage creativity, motivation, and intuition.
At the end of the day, all of us will experience a spiritual rut multiple times throughout our lives. As long as you are kind to yourself and remember that it is all a part of your spiritual journey, you will be able to catch up in no time.
