Do you feel like you’re just ticking days off your calendar?

You know, when life feels like a series of chores and commitments.

If you’re not waking up excited or looking forward to your day, it might be a sign that you need a change.

It’s time to think about what makes you happy. 

If this sounds like you, you’ve landed on the right page. 

What follows will be a list of undeniable signs, according to psychologists, that it’s time to shake things up a bit.

Let’s dive in!

1) You haven’t picked up a new interest or made a new friend in a long time

Let’s face it:

When life becomes a repetitive loop of the same old routines, it’s boring and it makes us feel like we’re stuck in a rut.

According to author and Psychology Today contributor Dr. Alice Boyes, if you haven’t learned something new or made a new friend in the last six months, it could be a red flag that your life is lacking growth and fresh experiences.

So if you can’t remember the last time you felt the excitement or joy of any of these two experiences, that’s your cue to place yourself in situations where these can happen. 

2) You find yourself not enjoying time with your family

Creating new connections enriches our lives, for sure. 

But that doesn’t mean we forget about nurturing our existing ones.

Dr. Boyes highlights the importance of not allowing our family relationships to deteriorate. 

She says we should take it as a serious wake-up call when spending time with our family feels more draining than uplifting. 

Let’s be real:

It’s normal for family relationships to have ups and downs.

But if we feel dread or dissatisfaction whenever we think about spending time with our family members, then that’s a sign to look deeper.

This could mean we need to change our way of communicating or connecting with each other. 

Or in severe cases, it could also mean that going to counseling is the change we need to address deeper issues and improve our family bonds.

Whether it’s your partner, spouse, sibling or parents, constant friction with them can take a toll on our emotional health so it should be considered as an undeniable sign that something has to change.

3) Your life feels permanently chaotic

If each and every one of your days feels like you’re in the middle of the storm, Dr. Boyes says that’s also a clear sign that something’s got to give.

And we’re not just talking about the occasional busy days. 

We’re talking about really chaotic days where you’re constantly juggling from one task to another, and never having the time to catch your breath.

This shouldn’t be accepted as a norm. 

Because apart from being inconvenient, constantly lacking order in our lives can lead to excessive stress, anxiety, and burnout.

If you find yourself relating to this scenario, it’s high time to make a significant change – maybe switch careers or move to a less hectic environment. 

I know it’s easier said than done, but the point is to change whatever you can to achieve the peace and structure your life definitely needs.

4) Your perception of time is distorted

Your days may not be topsy-turvy but does it seem like time is either flying by or painfully slow?

Dr. Boyes says that this feeling could indicate a lack of engaging activities or clear goals in your life, which could mean we need new challenges or changes.

A fulfilling life should make you feel like every day has a clear beginning, middle, and end, right?

So if your time doesn’t seem to follow a normal rhythm, take it as a sign that you’re not truly living and instead, you’re just existing.

If you have this sensation, shake things up.

Whether that means pursuing a new hobby, setting more ambitious goals, or changing your routine – do it. 

As motivational speaker Michael Altshuler puts it:

“The bad news is time flies. The good news is you’re the pilot.”

5) You neglect your hobbies and interests 

When was the last time you did something just for fun and not because it was on your to-do list?

If you’re struggling to answer this question, that’s another undeniable sign that you need a major life change, according to psychology expert Dr. Boyes.

Neglecting your hobbies and interests, especially those that once brought you joy and relaxation, can lead to a life that feels like all work and no play. 

Remember that reconnecting with your passions is one way of rekindling your creativity and zest for life. 

And if you don’t do things that excite you, what’s the fun in life?

6) You stick to old habits in new situations

We can’t deny that there’s comfort in the familiar. 

But experts from Ampersand Health note that reliance on familiar routines, especially in new or changing circumstances, might signal that you’re not adapting well. 

Think about it:

If you’re still clinging on to the old ways of doing things and you insist on sticking to routines even when they no longer serve your needs, you’re preventing your own growth through adaptation.

As the old saying goes, “old ways won’t open new doors.”

That said, it’s important to assess whether your current habits are holding you back from opportunities and to consider if it’s time to learn new skills or adopt a fresh approach.

7) Stress management becomes challenging for you

Another thing that Ampersand Health experts tell us is that if your current stress management methods keep failing over and over again, it’s time for a change.

They say this could mean maybe adopting new coping mechanisms or it could also mean making major lifestyle changes to help effectively reduce stress.

Remember that stress isn’t just an emotional response. 

It can also affect your physical health, decision-making capacities, and the overall quality of your life. 

And as harsh as this may sound, the reality is:

If you don’t make necessary life changes to address this, you may end up not having a life to live at all – literally and figuratively.

8) You experience discomfort even during positive changes

We all feel somewhat uneasy or anxious even when we experience positive life changes, and that’s a normal part of adjusting. 

But, and a big BUT:

Ampersand Health experts highlight that if this discomfort becomes persistent, that’s a big alarm bell telling you to make a change.

Start by exploring your feelings deeply and understanding where it’s coming from. It could be coming from a place of unresolved fears, misaligned values, or even lack of preparedness. 

Once you identify the source of this discomfort, act on it by making the necessary change to enable you to overcome the underlying issues and eventually enjoy the positive changes fully. 

9) You notice incredible resilience in yourself

You might raise eyebrows with this one, especially as being resilient is an essential skill for life, but hear the experts out:

Ampersand Health authorities warn that too little challenge can result in stagnation. 

This means that we still need to engage in activities that push our boundaries.

In short, while your resilience is undoubtedly a strength, it can also be a suggestion that you’re not being challenged enough which could further mean that you’re underutilizing your potential.

I guess what the experts are trying to say is we shouldn’t get too comfortable being comfortable. And that the best way to grow and evolve is to step out of our comfort zones from time to time.

10) You end each day feeling like you haven’t acted on your values

Do you end the day feeling unfulfilled or like you haven’t lived up to your own standards? 

If that’s a yes from you, that’s also a yes from the experts that you need a change.

Going back to Dr. Boyes’ input, she reminds us that a strong alignment between our actions and our values is key to feeling satisfied and motivated. 

She says if there’s a discrepancy between the two, we need to change something.

Because if we don’t, we could end up restless and living life without a purpose.

So whether it’s your job, your relationships, or how you spend your free time, ensure that they all reflect what you truly care about. 

And if any of them don’t, act on changing whatever you can to achieve the alignment that Dr. Boyes talks about.

Life doesn’t come with a manual

…but it does send signals when it’s time to turn the page.

If you’re noticing that your daily routine no longer excites you, or that your relationships aren’t as enriching as they once were, these could just be some of the many undeniable signs that it’s time to make a change.

Sure, change can be daunting.

But it might just be what you need to bring new energy and opportunities into your life.

That said, if you notice any of these signs in your life, here’s a couple of final questions for you:

What are you waiting for? 

Why not start life now?