We find ourselves feeling “stuck” in our lives for all kinds of reasons.
Perhaps you’ve realized your job is unfulfilling but feel there’s nothing you can do about it. Maybe you’re facing a decision and just don’t have the energy to make a choice one way or another. In some cases, you may just feel like things have gotten boring or ho-hum and are worried that you’re going to stay in the same rut forever.
As you will see, getting unstuck in your life is all about doing something. Yes, simple, but the only way to get the ball rolling.
Getting unstuck is about more than finding something entertaining to do for an afternoon, rather it allows you to actualize your potential so that you can have the life you want instead of living in a holding pattern.
The good news is that even when you feel stuck, doing something can revitalize your life, infusing it with the positive aspects that you desire.
Here are five ways that you can do something to get unstuck.
Do Something Different: Getting unstuck takes some effort on your part, but you may be surprised to find that even small efforts can make a huge difference. Intentionally trying something new can be just the jump-start you need to change directions and break old patterns that are keeping you from getting where you want to go. If you find that you are always running on autopilot, for example, engage in some activity that forces you to think and to notice your surroundings. Try taking a different route home from work or introducing yourself to someone new. It is amazing how many opportunities present themselves when we simply step out of our routines for a few minutes.
Do Something Amazing: One of the reasons that we get stuck in life is because we feel insignificant. The fact of the matter is that each of us has the ability to do amazing things. Focus on something you’ve always wanted to do, try, or learn…and then do it, try it, or learn it. For many people, this may involve creating something from scratch, whether it is a piece of art, a business idea, or an itinerary for the trip you’ve always wanted to take to Italy.
Do Something for Someone Else: Sometimes getting unstuck in our own lives is all about getting involved in someone else’s. Recognizing the needs of others can be a powerful way to get perspective on your own life, to discover what is truly important to you. Maybe you have the time to help a friend move or you have the knowhow to volunteer your skills for a cause that moves you deeply. In addition to helping others, you are also opening yourself (and your life) up to new experiences, new people, and new ideas that may have never occurred to you before.
Do Something Practical: Every life comes with a set of responsibilities and obligations. Oftentimes, we get stuck because we find ourselves paralyzed by them all. To help get unstuck, identify one of those responsibilities or obligations that has been hanging over your head, and make yourself get it done. Oddly enough, many of the tasks we procrastinate aren’t actually all that time consuming. In fact, simply getting them done would take far less time than what we put into worrying about it, fretting over the outcome, or suffering because it hasn’t been done yet. By taking the time to remove one of these items from your to-do list, you can free up the mental energy that has kept you stuck where you are.
Do Something Decisive: Feeling stuck in your life often comes hand-in-hand with an inability to make decisions. While it may take some serious self motivation, the act of making and acting on an important decision is likely exactly what you need to get out of your rut. There are various ways to do this, including making lists of pros and cons, getting expert advice, or simply following your gut. Choose a decision you’ve been having trouble with, and give yourself a strict deadline for when it must be made. Simply taking this step can do wonders to get you unstuck.
When you feel stuck in life, the act of getting unstuck may appear overwhelming, exhausting, or just too complicated right now. In reality, however, the best way to move forward is to make the conscious effort to do something.
What Works For Me…
What works the best for me, personally, to get unstuck? Here are a few of the things I find that help rejuvenate my spirit and energy…
- Taking timeout and doing a long session of meditation to clear my head. Usually around 30-45 minutes.
- Going for a drive around town with music I love or with no music, and just focus on being present.
- Taking a day off and going out of town and not thinking about work or anything else that has been weighing heavy on my mind.
- Exercise. A good run always clears my mind in a hurry!
- Finding something exotic and new to cook and giving it a try.
What I’ve found is that even the tiniest movement or action can move you in the right direction.
Recommended Resources…
- Getting Unstuck – Pema Chodron (Audio CD)
- Get It Done When Your Depressed – Julie Fast (Book)
- You Unstuck – Libby Gill (Book)
