Stuck in the mud

When you’re stuck in life, it can feel like there’s no way forward. You might feel weighed down, stuck in the mud, and unable to move. Perhaps you can see things out there that you’d like to do, but it’s so much effort to get there and things are so heavy. 

I know. I’ve been there.

It’s usually a combination of things that are keeping you in place. So it’s probably going to take a combination of things to get you unstuck. 

Here’s a few ways to work with stuckness:

🙉 How are you talking to yourself? If beating yourself up worked, it would have worked by now. If your friend was feeling stuck, would you be this hard on them? How would you get them feeling hopeful, rested, and feeling like they’re good enough?

😣 Is there stuff from the past that’s weighing you down? No matter how long ago it was, if you’re finding past events heavy - grief, childhood stress, anger, fear - perhaps you’re needing to work through it. Journalling, somatic practices, therapy - finding a way to connect with and release pain, might help you feel ready for what’s next.

🫠 How are you coping? There can be a temptation in burnout to spend a lot of time scrolling. But you’ll probably know that after a certain amount of time, it becomes draining instead. I can do half an hour, and then I start getting drained. So what is that tipping point for you, and can you set a timer to work with this? What other kinds of rest and entertainment might feel regenerative? Pour this into yourself and see what happens.

🌅 What are you doing with your days? If it’s work and it’s feeling unsatisfying, is it time to start working with a therapist to find out what’s keeping you stuck, and to unlock your new direction? If it’s stresses in parenting or studying, is it time to work with someone to find a new balance?

📝 What’s a small amount of shift that you can start to work on? It might be learning a new art form through youtube videos, reading more about the industry you want to switch to, or supporting your degree by listening to a podcast. Choose something that’s meaningful, and chip away at it as regularly as you can. Slow progress is still progress, and you may hit a point where you feel much more informed and ready for change.

These are a few ideas, but sometimes therapy can help us understand the deeper challenges holding us back. If you’re feeling stuck and trying to find a way forward, I offer a free 15 minute intro chat where you can find out if I’m the right practitioner for you. To learn more and book online, visit cosytherapy.com

Warmth and wishes, ✨

April 😊