Feeling Stuck? Try These 6 Things

Have you ever felt like no matter what you do, you can’t move forward? There are all kinds of reasons that you might be feeling stuck in life, whether it be in your romantic relationships, your career, your platonic relationships, or any other area of your life. When you feel stuck, you feel like you can't move forward in any way, no matter what you try. Some people feel stuck in a relationship that’s no longer serving them. Some people feel stuck in a job that doesn’t suit their talents or their passion. Others might feel stuck in their own negative thoughts. Many creative folks have periods where they’re stuck and can’t come up with any new work or anything they’re proud of.  Any way you slice it, we’ve all felt stuck over something at one time or another. 

When you feel stuck, it can seem like an endless cycle. It can feel like you’re moving in circles or even backward, instead of toward the goal you’re working for. Being stuck can make you feel burned out, less confident, and desperate to make something work. Not exactly ideal conditions to make changes in your life, right? 

However, to get out of the cycle of stuck-ness, change has to happen somewhere. When you’re frustrated and overwhelmed, it can be hard to think of the next move to make. Instead of suffering from decision paralysis, try one of these options to see if they help you move forward: 

Don't keep doing the same thing

First of all, if nothing you’re doing is working, cut it out! You are not serving yourself by continuing on with a plan that’s going nowhere. You don’t need to prove anything by continuing on the path you’ve started down. If something doesn’t work for you, you’re allowed to try something else! Giving up on your initial plan might feel like a kind of failure, but you’re really just learning how to adapt to the situation you’re in. That’s a valuable skill.

Assess how you got here

You don’t want to try to move forward and end up in the same place again. To do that, though, you need to get tough with yourself: how did this situation happen in the first place? Reflect on the decisions you made and the actions you took that led to feel stuck. In order to learn from our missteps, we need to understand them. This step is hard, but it’s crucial to make sure you don’t end up stuck in the same cycle again. 

Change your perspective 

Can you look at your situation in a different way? Sometimes, getting someone else's opinion on things can help you see things in a new light. It’s valuable to get someone else’s opinion because we all have different ways of looking at the world. Maybe a friend or loved one (or therapist!) can help you see things from a new angle or come up with some new solutions to try. It can also be refreshing to get your feelings off your chest and open up to someone. At the very least, even if they can’t help you solve your problem, they can be a source of emotional comfort and support when you feel stuck. 

Take a break

Sometimes, you just need to recharge and try again later. It’s okay to stop trying for a bit and come back to the problem later. You don’t have to constantly make yourself miserable over being stuck. You’re allowed to take time to yourself. Rest is something that many of us don’t get enough of, so feeling stuck could be your body’s way of telling you to take a break. You might also find that stepping away from the problem can clear your mind and help you come at it with fresh eyes when you’re ready to deal with it again. 

Be gentle with yourself

Who's putting the pressure on you? Is it you, or is it someone else? Or maybe both? You don't have to be perfect. In fact, you can't be. When you're struggling, beating yourself up about it only does one thing: it makes you feel worse. Instead, be kind to yourself. You’re doing your best. If you have a hard time being gentle with yourself, pretend you’re talking to your best friend. How would you help them with this? 

Remind yourself that you have options when you feel stuck

Remember: you always have options, even when you feel backed into a corner and like you have nothing you can do. You probably even have more options than you think you do. If you’re having a hard time seeing what options you have, talking to a therapist might be a great next step! Therapists have a unique perspective and can help you work through issues you’re stuck on. Reach out to us today so we can help get you unstuck! 

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therapist in falls church, mclean, tysons corner, merrifield, arlington and vienna, va

Hope+Wellness is a therapy practice serving the Falls Church, McLean, Great Falls, Vienna, Arlington, Alexandria, and the greater Washington DC region. We provide compassionate care to children, teens, and adults with stress, anxiety, and depression. Our practice is in-network with BCBS and provides Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), mindfulness and acceptance based therapies, and other top, premier evidence-based treatments. Call, email, or schedule an appointment with us online today. We’re happy to help!