I don’t know about you, but fall seems to be the time of year when ruts really set in. The weather cools, the days get shorter. And, if you’re a parent, add homework, practices, games and performances can make one day blend with another even faster. Pretty soon you are so caught up in what you need to do next that your brain runs out of room to roam. Here’s 5 things that work to get me out of the daily rut and get the creative juices flowing again.

• Take a walk – a little fresh air and a change of scenery can do the soul a lot of good! Let your mind wander as you walk and see what new ideas it finds.
• Play a game – stuck in traffic? Sitting at the dinner table in silence? It’s the perfect time to play a game. Eye Spy is a great one for even the youngest in the clan. 20 Questions, or guessing which movie a line of dialogue comes from are lots of fun no matter how old you are, and more importantly they get the brain working. As your brain searches for clues and tries to stump your opponent you’ll be surprised at the burst of creative energy you have.
• Go the long way home – just like going for a walk, taking a different way home or to the store not only breaks up your daily routine, but you could see something new too.
• Play hooky – I’m not suggesting you take a day off of work or pull the kids out of school, just take a night off. Pick a night and skip everything that doesn’t absolutely have to be done. Use the  time to do something you want to do – go to a movie or out to eat…visit a museum on a week night.
• Eat ice-cream – Yes it sounds silly, but have you ever known anyone who was still stuck and upset after eating ice-cream? Exactly. If you’re not into ice-cream, then what’s your favorite treat, the one you try not to eat often or reminds you of when you were a kid? Eat it. Enjoy it. Don’t worry about the calories or the fat content, just enjoy. That little bit of joy and mental jolt will put a smile on your face and a spring in your step!

What do you do to get out of a rut? I’d love to hear from you!