Hissy Fit... Because Everyone Deserves One Once and Awhile

The dictionary defines rut as a boring situation. Ironically, it also defines it as sexual excitement in a male deer. While the male deer would probably enjoy being stuck in a rut (although, after four hours he really should seek medical attention), I, being female and human, do not. But that's exactly where I find myself lately, living in the middle of a giant rut. It's as if I've been sucked in. I know I'm there, but I've not been there long enough to accept it. The scary part is, the longer people stay in a rut; the more they actually don't want to get out of it. I think there is still hope for me. I do have flashes of desire to step away from the rut. For instance, I find myself all gung-ho around 9 a.m. on Saturday morning, wanting to invite friends over for dinner, but by noon, when I feel it is apropos to call, I'm already thinking about how it  just might be better not to commit. After all, I may be in the middle of a project, like taking a nap, or I may just want to sit on the couch in my nightgown and watch a movie while taking a nap. Pathetic, but I know I'm not alone. My phone isn't ringing off the hook for social offers either, because I know that others want to be in their pajamas on Saturday nights, too.

Here's an idea. I'll throw a pajama party instead of a cocktail party. It'll be BYOB - bring your own blanket with a pillow chaser.  I know.pathetic again! The vision I had of myself in college, still rockin' and rollin' at age 90, is not panning out.

Of course, instead of entertaining at the house, meeting friends out for dinner is a wonderful option. The only problem is figuring out where to go and what pair of pajamas can double as an oufit. I am always up for trying something different, but because I am in a restaurant rut, only approximately seven local restaurants come to mind. Ridiculous, but I can always refer to Pink's Girls' Guide to Dining Out, and I'll have no problem finding a great restaurant.

I'm thinking that work may contribute to my rut. I'm also thinking the children and their schedules, homework, sports, physical therapy, play practice, social life and games may contribute as well. Then there is the aging factor - of my husband. He's beyond halfway to 90 and into smooth jazz, which helps you sleep straight through your rut - even if you are a male deer. No matter the cause, the focus here is to escape the rut. It doesn't have to grow and flourish. In fact, I believe growth and flourishment would be contradications of a rut. If your rut is growing and flourishing, it may be becoming a bad habit, and indeed, you too may need to seek medical attention if it is lasting longer than four hours at a time.

So here's my solution
to break out of the rut:

Rock On
You must muster up the determination to rock on. Somewhere inside of you is the wild child of yesteryear, or at least a civilized citizen of yet-again, who doesn't want to drink alone or spill box wine on her pajamas. Being in a rut, after all, does not have to encompass lowering your standards.
Lastly, to fully rock on, you must play invigorating music. If you have to fake it until you make it, it never hurts to have your favorite tunes playing to shake, rattle and roll you out of your rut.

Unite
If you have any friends that haven't fully left you to wallow in your rut, call on them like you never have before. Make them promise to ask you over, invite themselves over, or at least roll you to avoid developing bedsores from just sitting around in your rut. Hanging out with friends can turn the ordinary into extraordinary! Be careful though, you need to make sure you are calling upon your most positive, pals to help you get your mojo back and in full swing.

Trick Yourself
As a last resort, you've got to trick yourself into getting your butt out of the rut. Set a date to have people over, send invitations or Evites to your guests, and voil‡, there is no backing out. You are now committed to the whole shebang - cleaning the house, preparing the menu, shopping for groceries and cooking the meal. If you're not up for all of this, then ask your guests to bring a dish. As soon as you get started, it's almost guaranteed that you will begin to enjoy the process. To further leave your rut behind, do things differently this time. Use the good china, try a new recipe, or pick a theme and have fun with it.