Are You Coasting Through Life?
Ever feel like your days are blurring together and the weeks are just flying by? Or that you're stuck in a Groundhog Day loop where everything around you feels pointless? You're not alone—and you might be living on autopilot. But it doesn't have to stay this way, and you definitely shouldn’t keep drifting through life on cruise control. Here are 10 signs you're stuck in autopilot mode, and 10 ways to break the cycle and feel present again.
1. Every Day Feels the Same
When you're living on autopilot, every day starts to feel the same. You wake up, have breakfast, go to work (or school), come home, have dinner, shower, and go to bed. The next day? It all repeats. It's almost like you're stuck in a Groundhog Day loop—only that you wouldn't realize you're in a loop, anyway.
2. You Can't Remember What You Did Yesterday
Because all the days blur together, you can't remember what you did last week, two days ago, or even yesterday. When people ask you what you ate for breakfast or dinner, it often takes you a moment to answer, because you've already forgotten about it.
3. You're Used to Saying "I'm Fine"
When people ask you if you're okay, your default answer is always "I'm fine." You're not technically fine, but to save your breath, you'll say you are, anyway. After all, it's a lot easier to say you're okay than to explain to others exactly how you feel, and oftentimes, you're not sure you feel anything at all.
4. You Say "Yes" Without Thinking
Another sign you're living on autopilot is that you often say "yes" without thinking. You may agree to take up more projects and tasks at work without realizing how much you already have on your plate, or you may make promises to friends and family without any actual intention.
5. Weeks Go By in a Blink to You
Again, because your days start to blur together, weeks seem to go by in a blink to you. Before you know it, it's Friday, or the middle of the month, or the end of the year. You have no idea where all the time went, but it just feels like things are flying past.
6. You Forget What Day It Is
You also often forget what day it is. Sure, you know it when you go to work or school because you might see it written somewhere, but outside of those times, your mind doesn't actually know. If someone were to ask you, you wouldn't know the answer until you looked at your calendar.
7. You Haven't Felt Genuinely Happy in a While
Despite telling everyone you're "fine," you haven't actually felt genuinely happy in a while. In fact, you haven't felt much of anything. Mostly, you feel restless and empty, but your days pass by so quickly you don't even have time to process these emotions.
8. Everything Is Boring
To you, everything around you feels mundane: meaningless and boring. Work feels boring, school feels boring, and even being at home watching what used to be your favorite show feels boring. Your attention span is getting increasingly shorter, too, which means you're barely glancing at something before turning away.
9. You're Constantly Exhausted
When you're stuck living life on autopilot, you may also feel constantly exhausted. You're incredibly fatigued, and it's not the kind you feel after a long day of doing something fun, exciting, or worthwhile. Instead, it's the kind of ache you feel deep in your bones that makes you not want to get up in the morning, or do anything at all.
10. You Feel Like Life Is Happening to You
Another glaring sign that you're living on autopilot is when you feel like you're just going through the motions. Life seems like something that's just happening to you, but you're not really living it. You're never actively making decisions—you're just following through the same-old routines you're familiar with. And despite how mundane they are, you think to yourself, "Maybe that's just how things are."
If any of these signs sound like you, there are ways to break free from this autopilot mindset. Here are 10 ways that may help you be more present in your everyday life, so you feel that spark of excitement again.
1. Start by Self-Reflecting
If you want to be more present in your daily life and make meaningful changes, you need to first start with some self-reflection. Ask yourself: What aspects of your life are you currently unhappy with? What's holding you back from being the best version of yourself? What's the first step you need to take if you want to meet your goals? By identifying what areas you want to work on, it can bring motivation and encourage you to start moving.
2. Rediscover Your Interests & Passions
If you feel like your current hobbies don't bring the same spark of enjoyment as they used to, try rediscovering your interests and finding new passions. You could very well be outgrowing a past version of yourself that you no longer resonate with, and that's totally fine and normal.
Tanaphong Toochinda on Unsplash
3. Block Off Time for Yourself
It's important to set some time aside each day for yourself, too. If not, you'll find it's easier to get stuck in this autopilot mode, because you're not giving yourself a break to do the things you actually like doing. Whether it's reading, baking, or catching up with a friend, never forget to do something that makes you happy.
4. Stop Trying to "Just Get Through the Day"
Instead of rushing through the motions just to "get through the day," start living life intentionally by planning out your routine the day before. What do you want to do? What do you want to get done? What should you do for your small breaks in between? Remember, every day is a new opportunity, so don't waste it.
5. Slow Down
Before you say "yes," make sure you know what you're agreeing to. You don't want your autopilot self to accept everything without first allowing you to think through each request intentionally, so take a deep breath and slow down. It's also crucial to set boundaries when you need to, so that you don't experience burnout.
6. Set Intentional Goals
Setting intentional goals may also help you be more present. Think about where you see yourself five years from now, and start writing down micro steps that will get you to the finish line quicker. When you have something you're actively working toward, you're more likely to feel motivated and engaged.
Glenn Carstens-Peters on Unsplash
7. Surround Yourself with Supportive People
This might sound like a no-brainer, but always remember to surround yourself with people who support you. If you already feel like every day is Groundhog Day, sticking close to those who also live life on autopilot isn't going to help. Instead, joining supportive communities will better connect you with like-minded people who uplift you as much as you uplift them.
8. Create a Daily Ritual
Even if it's just a short jog around the neighborhood or a yoga routine to wake you up in the morning, creating a daily ritual can help you feel more connected and present. You'll be able to feel your experiences more, too. As you repeat these rituals more and more, they may become things you look forward to every day.
9. Invest in Your Relationships
Instead of cutting your friends and family out, keep them close. Building strong, meaningful connections with the people around you can make life more colorful, exciting, and fun. Plus, talking out your emotions with someone you trust can help you better process them in a healthy way.
10. Challenge Yourself More
More than just rediscovering your passions and interests, you should also try challenging yourself more. Get out of your comfort zone and put yourself out there! You'll soon realize that these new experiences can add more excitement to your life and make you feel more present.
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