As for me, my rut was when I was in the work world, now 11 years ago. I could not stand it, was depressed, Even before I got married and had children. Too much yucch to see as a women in the work world.
So, do I get in a "rut" now, well as my friend Trinity you know I do. But it is different because I am now trying to do what God would find pleasing.
Cooking would have been something that helped earlier, but now due to health isssues that is gone or changed. But, reading, listening to GOOD music helps.
It happens quite often that on the odd moments I find myself with no pressing chore to do I sit with all the children in the same room with me and they are sitting that  I become so peaceful that, "Yes, this is good."
I truly hated the work world, and if I look back it makes me shook up to think of ever going back to what I know see was not a rut, but ROT for a woman.

I think the ruts of stay-at-homes is just facing dauntless loads of laundry and housecleaning. I finally found a way to make that  a little easier here  http://www.flylady.net/. And then of course the money problems. But if only women knew how much happier life can be staying home with your children. And, they funny thing is the world can't understand that men who want their wives home with the children are good men who love, cherish and respect their wives. Women out in the world are subjected to all sorts of things from unwarranted come-ons by male co-workers to foul jokes and the temptation that that guy at the office appreciates you a whole lot more than your husband and well......