Stuck is a state of being where you feel trapped, immobilized and powerless to change your situation. It can be experienced as an emotional, mental or physical state. Stuck can happen for any number of reasons, including: feeling trapped in a job or home; not feeling satisfied with your life, relationship or work; not feeling connected to community; having a lack of purpose and meaning; being overwhelmed by stress or anxiety; or experiencing chronic pain or illness. Whether stuck in a career or in a relationship, a feeling of being stuck is often rooted in self-limiting beliefs and a mindset that you can’t improve your situation. But there are many ways to get unstuck and break through your negative thoughts.
Getting stuck is a natural part of the human experience, and it’s essential to understand that feeling stuck doesn’t mean you’re failing or not trying hard enough. Rather, feeling stuck is a normal part of the process of becoming a more resilient person. In fact, if you’re struggling to overcome a challenging situation or achieve your goals, it means that the outcome of your efforts is more likely to be positive than if you weren’t attempting anything at all.
When you’re feeling stuck, the first thing you should do is identify what is causing the feelings of dread or inaction. Then, think about how you can approach that challenge differently. If you’re stuck at a job that doesn’t make you happy, think about how you can start to enjoy the parts of it that do. Or, if you’re stuck in an unfulfilling relationship, think about the parts of it that are most desirable and how you can focus more on those aspects.
Another way to get unstuck is by taking a step away from the situation. Sometimes a change of scenery can inspire new ideas. If you’re stuck on a chapter in your book, for example, consider reading the next page of your favorite novel or even taking a walk or calling a friend to talk about something unrelated. It might seem counterintuitive to stop thinking about your story, but sometimes a chance interruption or a new perspective is just what you need to find your inspiration again.
Finally, try to remember that all writers (plotters and pantsers) struggle with the feeling of being stuck at some point in their writing process. This is known as writer’s block, and it’s a natural part of the process. When you’re feeling stuck, try to remind yourself that this is a common problem and that even your favorite author has probably struggled with the same thing at some point. And, keep in mind that it usually just takes a little patience and persistence to find your way out of the stuck zone. Eventually, the solution will come to you, and you’ll be able to move forward with your work.