It’s when you know you should be doing it, but have no motivation.
It’s when you can think of all the reasons why it should be happening, but you can’t seem to make it work.
It’s when you know you want to move out of where you are, but can’t seem to get the strength to lift just one foot up in order to take a step forward.
I actually don’t have any good answers in this post. No lists of things you should be doing to improve your life. Rather, I just want to acknowledge the feeling of being stuck.
I feel it all too often. And so many things fuel it: fear, laziness, apathy, confusion, over analyzing.
It’s that feeling of pausing in one place too long. Lack of change, lack of certainty, lack of forward movement.
It’s that simmer of a feeling… without a boil. Just set at a too low heat, that never reaches a climax.
I know this, too, shall pass. Yet, I don’t really believe it. That’s the beauty of feeling stuck: It’s nature is to make you feel like you will never get out of it.
You’re wedged in that ditch. You squirm and wiggle, and want to give up. Over, and over and over. Time seems to just stand still, and the clock doesn’t move. You keep looking at the hand, but it doesn’t seem to tick fast enough.
The world seems to slowly keep turning, but you just sit complacently in your seat and watch it turn.
Do you ever feel like you’re on the edge of greatness, but just can’t find the way out… so that you can jump?
I’m ready to soar. I’m ready to make the leap. I just feel stuck, and wanted to acknowledge that I know it won’t last forever.
Nothing last forever, as the only thing constant it that things always change. You just have to hold on, and keep the faith that the change will come. Or, you just have to make it come.
Do you ever feel this way?
{ 20 comments… read them below or add one }
Ah, totally. But like you said, it never lasts. I think the fact that I know I will get past feeling stuck helps me get past it faster than anything else.
I currently feel stuck, but in a different way. Like a child who jumps in the pool and attempts to start swimming for the first time… kicking, splashing, arms flailing but never going anywhere, going in circles, or even worse sinking to the bottom.
This particular feeling of doing tons of work, but it’s half-assed. You just need to calm down and learn the proper technique. This is probably the worst kind of stuck. It is for me at least.
I definitely relate.
I think life feels like we are stuck most of the time because there is no direct correlation to our efforts. Sometimes you just work and work and work and nothing seems to get accomplished. Then a big break comes that takes you to the next level of your life.
Others might say you are lucky, but the reality is that all that effort you put in with no rewards in sight, is the source of your good fortune. Good luck typical happens to people working their asses off everyday.
Heya Karen
Graet honest post as always
I know that feeling well too, and have been feeling much that way this week, but have thought to myself that although I feel stuck it is often when the unexpected happens isn’t it? Like John said the continued effort pays off. Hopefully anyway! I think also there is alot of power in acknowleding it like you have in this post.
I’ve definitely felt like this and can completely relate to this post. As you noted, this WILL pass and you will move forward to all of the greatness you’re destined to have. Just keep plugging along!
Hey Karen,
I’m great at being stuck. I mean really great. What causes me to be this way is the constant feeling of “Ok, when I do THIS, I’ll be able to do THIS.” Basically I’m always waiting for something to happen, so something else can happen. It’s an endless circle of waiting, and being stuck. Great post!
Hey Nate!
Good to know I’m not the only one good at being stuck
I know what you mean about that circle of just needing to accomplish one more thing… it’s never ending. Thanks for dropping by.
I’ve felt like this and for some reason, this post has kind of led to me to some realizations about how I’ve been living. I’m so grateful to you! Wonderful post!
Hi Nazim,
I’m glad my ramblings could produce some realizations. Writing it did the same for me, too. Thanks for commenting.
Karen
Hey Karen,
Yes, the feeling of being stuck is inevitable and it happens to everyone. But when you are feeling stuck it’s because you know you want something more out of life than what you are getting at the moment – and that means you are not content with sitting idly by. So recognizing that you are stuck and knowing it will pass is just the trigger you need to let you know you’re one small step away from taking back control and moving forward. Think of it as the calm before the storm of action
Paul
Wow! Very well put. I know exactly what you mean. I was just thinking earlier today how I have so many things I should be doing but I don’t feel motivated to do any of them. I guess having things I know I should do means I’ve made myself stuck but it doesn’t change the feeling. You’re right tho, it will pass. Just need to hold on to that…
- Dave
This is EXACTLY what I’m going through! Writers block? Bloggers block?
This is a topic I am sure many can relate, I like the simmering pot analogy.
I think that is how life has to be. Maybe we have to be stuck so we have the mandatory time in which to gather our wits about us for the newest venture we will take. We may not even know what that venture is or that we have been preparing for it…until the moment is upon us to act. We all get “unstuck” and knowing that can make you conscious enough to meditate on what we will do next.
Of course you’d like a cooking analogy!!
I agree with this is how life has to be… I’ve gotten a lot of interesting feedback since writing this… of the value of being stuck. Someone said it is actually a good thing because being stuck provides the creation of something new. I love that outlook… very similar to what you are saying.
Great. Just when i was feeling stuck with my e-book. I know what to write, i just don’t know where to start. And it’s so frustrating because it was there, right in front of me, but somehow i couldn’t put it into writing.
Great post Karen. Now i need to get to work
This is so true Karen. I feel like this a lot. But I have always told myself and held myself to an important personal maxim, which is to never let the feeling of being stuck prevent me from spreading good will amongst my friends and family and keep my chin up.
I too am stuck on the answers to how to get unstuck, but I agree with most people here… karma points definitely add up to an almost insurmountable fate of good fortune, and sometimes that period of inertia also gives the unpredictable world an opportunity to make the RIGHT things happen for you.
I can certainly relate to being stuck right now. I have recently had a negative family ordeal go even more wrong an it has deflated my motivation. I am stuck, but I plan to figure this out.
Unfortunately, when I feel stuck, I notice an increase in procrastination which really makes it worse.
I think most of us are stuck in one way or another. Even if 95% of our life is great and moving right along, I bet if most of us are honest with ourselves, there is something we aren’t making as much progress on as we should be.
However, recognizing that and embracing it is the first step towards breaking through it. I think this is your first step, and I imagine you will be moving past it sooner rather than later
I can totally empathize with what you are talking about. I usually find that in these situations, I need to take a break. Get away from it all for a week or so, and then come back fresh and with a new perspective.
Great post. Very thought provoking!
I think this is a great post and think its true, I feel I am in this exact stuck state right now and have been for a few months, mainly because of overanalyzing, fear, and laziness. Its pretty naive but I never realized there are others that have these exact same feelings and thoughts that you explained. Like you said good to know i am not alone.