Beat the Feeling of Stuck in Life with These 8 Easy Tips

Do you have the feeling of stuck in life? Does every day feel like the exact same boring day, or that you are just going through the motions without a sense of purpose?

It is common to experience the feeling of being stuck in life at some point. Whether it is your job, your relationship, or just your emotions in general, everyone feels stuck in life at some point.

But there has to be a way to get unstuck.. right?

Where is Your Feeling of Stuck in Life Coming From?

The first step to getting yourself unstuck is to understand where the feeling of stuck in life is coming from in the first place. When you have this stuck feeling, your instinct isn’t to jump up and ask yourself what is causing it.

Especially since this isn’t always an easy question to answer!

But finding out why you are feeling stuck in life is a good starting point for building a new perspective that will help you get unstuck!

To get started, here are 11 common reasons why people experience the feeling of stuck in life!

You Feel Overwhelmed or Burnt Out

If you are feeling stuck in your life, there is a good chance that it is because you are overwhelmed by your current situation. This has been the status quo for many people over the last few years!

A major change in your personal life can trigger feelings of being stuck, particularly when these changes are out of your control. When we can’t see the end of the tunnel, it is common to feel overwhelmed and stuck!

It is also common for people who balance a demanding professional life to feel burnt out by the pressures of maintaining a hectic daily routine.

You are Ready for Drastic Change

As you move throughout your life, it is normal for your goals and dreams to evolve. Your experiences shape you and push you to grow outside your comfort zone. And this creates a need for change.

If you have been in the same job, relationship, or general situation for some time, there is a good chance you are ready for drastic changes. And this doesn’t mean that you need to quit your job or leave your partner. It just means that you are ready for a challenge to pull you out of that stuck feeling and onto the next stage of your life.

The Fear of the Unknown

One of the most powerful negative feelings people experience is the fear of the unknown. In fact, the uncertainty of the future is one of the main reasons that people stay in their comfort zone and end up stuck in the first place.

If you are feeling comfortable but also stuck, the root cause of your feelings is probably that you are afraid of the unknown.

The Fear of Judgement

Next to the fear of the unknown, judgement from other people is another reason many people end up with the feeling of stuck in life.

It is natural to want to seek the approval of your social circle and family members. But when you place too much value on the opinions of others, even when they are the right people, it can be hard to feel motivated to work toward your life goals. This is especially true if they disagree with your decisions or are critical of your choices.

Your Values are Being Challenged

We all have a moral compass that guides us and motivates us. The values that we hold are what shape our decisions and dictate our life goals.

But, the pressures of day-to-day life can challenge these values, making us question whether we are in the right place. Over time, living a life that isn’t true to your authentic self can be draining and lead to the feeling of stuck in life.

The Fear of Losing Something

Another one of the main reasons that people don’t make a change is because they think they will have to give something up that they already have. Whether it is the comforts of a job or a relationship, people tend to think change means sacrifice.

But the good news is that it is possible to hang onto the things you love about your life while also making positive changes. Prioritizing the important things and working the rest of your life around them is an effective way to make changes that will get you unstuck.

Your Purpose is Unclear to You

Do you know what your purpose in life is? Or do you feel like you are going about everyday life feeling as if your actions have no meaning?

You aren’t alone if you haven’t discovered your purpose yet. In fact, many people spend most of their lives searching for a sense of purpose and meaning.

When you have a sense of purpose and meaning in your life, your decisions and actions feel as though they carry weight. If you have the feeling of stuck in life, it may be because you haven’t discovered your life’s purpose, or you need to spend some time rediscovering yourself.

Your Relationships Are Draining You

You don’t have to be in an abusive relationship to feel stuck in one. Many committed relationships experience the feeling of being stuck in life together.

If your partner, circle of friends, or family members are negative people, they could be using up a lot of your energy. Your connection to these people and your desire to love and support them can make you feel stuck.

Comparison to Others

It is natural to draw comparisons between yourself and those around you. However, too much comparison can lead to the feeling of stuck in life. And you are always going to measure up short when you compare yourself to others.

Comparison leads to that stuck feeling because it makes us aim for goals and values that aren’t our own. And when you don’t truly value something, you won’t want to work towards it.

You Struggle with Making Major Decisions

It might sound overly simplistic, but you could be stuck in life because you are someone who struggles with decision making.

When you are faced with a major change, do you jump right in? Or do you prefer to spend time considering all of the different angles?

Many people find weighing the pros and cons of a decision to help. However, when both sides of the decision are balanced, you may feel like you are stuck in a vicious cycle of indecision.

You Have Negative Thoughts About the Future

Depending on your life’s circumstances, you could have a positive or negative outlook on the future. And how you feel about the future has the power to dictate what you do next with your life.

If you are experiencing overly negative thoughts about your life and your future, this could lead to the feeling of being stuck in life. You could be in need of a fresh perspective to help you reorient your thinking. If this describes you, consulting a professional is an important first step to getting unstuck.

8 Ways to Stop Feeling Stuck in Life

Now that you have an idea of why you might be feeling stuck in your life, the next step is to get yourself unstuck. There are a few easy things that you can do to change your current situation.

These are 8 of the best ways to stop feeling stuck!

#1. Set Value Driven Goals

One reason that we can feel stuck in life is because we are missing a sense of purpose. We get so comfortable in all of our routines that we forget to set goals and work toward achieving them.

In his book The Happiness of Pursuit, Chris Guillebeau argues that it isn’t reaching the destination that gives our lives purpose and meaning. Instead, it is the very act of working toward something meaningful that makes us feel connected to our purpose.

Take some time to reflect on what your goals are for your life. Identify the things in life that set your soul on fire. These are the small things that make you want to jump out of bed in the morning.

Choose one goal that is important to you and what you value and start working toward it in small ways. Before long, you will start to see the feeling of stuck in life fading away.

#2. Find Your Passion

If you are feeling stuck in your life, the odds are that you are also struggling to find your life passion.

Making time for your passions is a great way to pull yourself out of a rut. Life can be busy and overwhelming. But your passions have the power to help you escape from your daily routine in a healthy way.

Find a new hobby that allows you to be creative, express yourself and your frustrations. Find a way to make time for this new passion. If you can find a way to work it into your daily routine it won’t be long before you no longer feel stuck in your life!

#3. Change Your Mindset

Sometimes the feeling of being stuck in life is just that – a feeling. But feelings are often temporary and can be misleading. When we listen to our negative inner voice and our own negative thinking too often, it becomes a part of our mindset.

You can accomplish great things by making small changes to your mindset. Major changes can start just by using positive words when you speak to yourself.

Try telling yourself something positive, whether it’s true or not. Write down positive statements about your life and your circumstances as if they have already happened. These are simple but powerful ways to change your negative thoughts and your mindset.

#4. Say Goodbye to Your Comfort Zone

One of the main reasons people end up stuck in life is because they choose to stay in their comfort zone. We all want to feel safe and secure in our jobs and relationships. But growth happens most when we challenge ourselves to welcome new experiences.

Try meeting new people that challenge you to step outside of your routines. If you aren’t being challenged in your work, consider looking for the next step in your career path that will lead you toward growth.

#5. Surround Yourself with Positive People

The people that we spend the most time with act as support groups that keep us from getting stuck.

Think about the people closest to you. Do your family members and best friend challenge you to become the best version of yourself? Do they support your goals and dreams?

When you spend so much time with people who are stuck in their lives, it keeps you stuck in your own. When it comes to reaching goals, the most successful people are the ones who surround themselves with people who push them toward greater things. Sometimes it just takes a different perspective to pull us out of a rut.

#6. Conquer Your Own Limiting Beliefs

We all have our own beliefs about what we are capable of achieving. These limiting beliefs depend on the level of support we receive from our families when we are young. They are also shaped by our experiences as we grow.

Take a minute to think about yourself and your goals. What are the things in your life that hold you back from getting started? Do you find yourself making excuses about why you can’t make changes in your life? If so, you have identified a limiting belief about yourself. Take some time to wrestle with these beliefs until you can see past the lies and focus on the truths.

#7. Get Moving!

Life is busy and it can be hard to make time for exercise. But how much of your time do you spend sitting still?

A recent study has shown that even just 15 minutes of exercise a day can reduce symptoms of depression and improve your physical health.

Next time you find yourself sitting on the couch watching TV, get up and do a few laps around the room. Take note of how it feels to have positive chemicals flowing through your body. Use that feeling to beat the feeling of being stuck!

#8. Take Small Steps Forward

It can be hard to get started when you know that you are trying to accomplish big things. And beating the feeling of stuck in life is a big thing!

Focusing your efforts on the easiest thing that you can do to get started is the first step. Even if it is just the act of getting up off the couch! Focus on how it feels to intentionally take a step forward toward getting unstuck.

Feeling Stuck? Here’s What Not to Do

Don’t Numb Your Feelings

Eating junk food, watching way too much TV, and shopping are all common ways that people distract themselves from negative feelings.

TV shows take us away from our boring lives by offering up an interesting alternative to what we see on a daily basis. Buying things and eating junk food give us the temporary release that can make us forget our troubles for a short while.

Instead of numbing your feelings, grab an apple, find a quiet space, and think long and hard about what is keeping you feeling stuck in your life.

Don’t Blow it Out of Proportion

We are all the main character of our own story. Sometimes this makes us feel like things are a lot bigger than they are.

Often times, the feeling of stuck in life is just a temporary feeling that will pass. But, if too much attention is given to it, it can stay longer than necessary. Tune into your feelings and use them to inspire change rather than over analyzing and staying in one place.

Don’t Do It Alone!

If you are having trouble getting unstuck, don’t try to do it all on your own. The first thing you should do is reach out to a mental health professional or a professional life coach. These are people who have specific training that can offer you a different perspective and a path forward.

Saying Goodbye to the Feeling of Stuck in Life

Life is full of routines and predictability. And too much routine and comfort can bring on the feeling of stuck in life!

However, life can also be exciting and unpredictable! Every day has the potential to be something fresh and exciting.

Remember that to truly beat the feeling of being stuck in life, you need to actually want to get unstuck. Nothing will help you if you are not willing to change the way you think.

Start writing out a loose plan that walks you through the steps you plan to take. Use the ideas from this post to get you started!

Don’t forget to share this post with your friends and family on social media! If someone you know has the feeling of stuck in life, this could be the motivation they need to make a change!

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