5 Things To Do When You Feel Stuck In Life

Feeling stuck is not a dead end; it’s merely a temporary detour. 

We all experience highs and lows, like a rollercoaster with twists and turns. But sometimes, it feels like we’ve hit a plateau. 

The peaks bring excitement and euphoria, the valleys, introspection, but what about the plateaus? I’ve seen it time and again when my life has hit the pause button. It can be perplexing and baffling. In moments like these, we wish only someone would listen to our silent cries for guidance and direction. 

I won’t promise you quick fixes or easy solutions. But these 6 things will act like keys to a door you might not have noticed before. So let’s unstuck ourselves. 

1. Reflect on your current life

In life, it’s easy to get caught up in the daily grind, moving from one task to another like a well-oiled machine. 

We wake up, go to work, come home, repeat. 

Days blend into weeks, weeks into months, and before we know it, we’re left wondering where the time went. It’s in these moments, amidst the chaos of our routines, that we often forget to hit the pause button and take stock of where we stand. 

• To know you’re stuck in life, you need to KNOW you’re stuck. If you’re going nonchalantly through life without even realizing you’re stuck or feeling that discomfort in the pit of your stomach, then good for you- ignorance is bliss. 
• Take a moment to pause and reflect on your life- good, bad and the messy in-between. 
• Acknowledge your emotions, without judgment. 
• Allow yourself to feel whatever it is you’re feeling without the need to sweep things under the rug or put on a brave face. 

And here’s the thing about feelings: they are not permanent. 

If you think no one understand you, and want someone to help you with your problems, you can quickly Book your Appointment.

Whatever it is, give yourself permission to feel it- the good, the bad, and the downright ugly. 

2. Challenge your comfort zones 

We love comfort, don’t we? 

Safety nets of our routines, yearning for change but hesitant to step into the unknown. It’s almost paradoxical: craving growth while clinging to the security of what we know. 

But the magic happens outside your comfort zone. This phrase is often tossed about by motivational speakers and self-help gurus, but its essence is pretty real. 

• Gently nudge yourself towards the discomfort. 
• Face the difficult questions you have been avoiding all this time. It will be a little scary but once you do it, you’ll feel better. 
• Take up a hobby that lies beyond your usual interests. For example, hiking or experimenting with gourmet cooking. 

3. Lay out your goals and action plan. 

Reconnect with your long-term goals. 

What truly matters to you?

What do you aspire to achieve?

As a psychologist, I have observed that aligning your actions with your values provides a sense of purpose and direction. 

• Establish clear, realistic goals that resonate with your values. 
• Break down those goals into manageable steps. 

It will help you regain focus and also reignite the passion and purpose within you. 

4. Develop a growth mindset

I can’t emphasize enough the power of a growth mindset. 

Instead of viewing challenges as obstacles, see them as opportunities for growth. 

• Tell yourself that a failure in one aspect of your life does not make you a failure. 
• Give yourself positive and powerful affirmations to develop a growth pattern in your mind and body. 

Keeping a positive outlook towards life, especially in times when you feel stuck will provide your mind with a clarity of thoughts and help you become an optimistic and productive individual. 

5. Be self-compassionate 

Being kind to yourself is not selfish.

Setting boundaries is not selfish. 

Loving yourself is not selfish. 

Putting yourself first is not selfish. 

• You need to make yourself understand that setbacks and feeling stuck are part of the human experience. 
• Engage in self-care activities that refresh your mind and body. 
• Show yourself the compassion that you show to people who you care for. 

Harsh truth- Your life is not gonna get better if you don’t work for it. 

Nobody is coming to save you. 

I encourage you to implement these strategies with dedication and patience. Embrace self-discovery, get comfortable in the uncomfortable and remember, you have the power to break through plateaus and create a purposeful, driven life. 

You can also read this book called The Time of My Life by JN McKelvy, here.