Feeling stuck is one of the most common mental health struggles. Whether it’s feeling stuck in a rut at work, in a relationship or in life in general, it can really get you down. Thankfully, there are some strategies you can use to break free of your stuckness and move forward with your life.
First, it’s important to understand what being stuck actually is. When you feel stuck, it’s not that you’re trapped or without options; it’s simply that you don’t have a clear path forward right now. This is a completely normal and natural part of the human experience, and it doesn’t mean that you’re stuck for good (although in some cases, it may).
The key to getting unstuck is realizing that you have options—even if they aren’t immediately obvious. It’s also important to remember that you’re not stuck in a concrete situation; you’re simply stuck in a mental place. This means that you can change your thought patterns and change how you perceive a situation. This, in turn, can change how you respond to it.
You can start to change your thought patterns by practicing mindfulness. This practice is a great way to get rid of negative emotions like fear, stress and depression. By taking the time to meditate, you can focus on your breath and let go of the things that are worrying you.
Another strategy is to seek out support from others. Whether it’s friends, family members, your boss, a mentor or even a professional counsellor or therapist, finding support is an important part of breaking free of the stuckness you’re experiencing. Having a support system will help you identify a clear path forward and provide encouragement, guidance and accountability as you work towards your goals.
It’s also important to take some time for yourself and reduce the amount of stuff you have to do in your life. Research has shown that doing less can often result in a greater sense of freedom and happiness. You can do this by adding more meaningful activities to your life, or by subtracting those that aren’t as important.
Finally, you can try to change your physiology by moving around or engaging in other physical activity. This can be as simple as readjusting your posture or as intense as going for a jog. When you’re in a positive physiology, you’ll have great emotions and can break out of your stuck mental state.
Stuck can be a huge hurdle to overcome when it comes to making positive changes in your life. But you don’t have to do it alone—in fact, trying to do it alone will make things even tougher! If you’re ready to kickstart your life and break out of the rut you’re in, be sure to subscribe to this podcast! I’ll be here cheering you on. Jennifer Allwood is a passionate cheerleader of women who adds biblical truth to the modern day mantra, “fear is not the boss of you.” She’s the author of the book, Fear Is Not the Boss of You: How to Break Through and Live the Life You Were Made For and host of The Jennifer Allwood Show.