Let’s begin by patting yourself on the back for the courage it takes to admit that you are feeling less than satisfied with your life. Look at you, seeking the motivation and tips to move forward. Congratulations!
Feeling stuck can take on many different forms in each of our unique lives. This means that we should not compare our dissatisfaction with anyone else nor feel bad about ourselves for feeling this way. You are entitled to your feelings. After all, comparison and allowing others in the driver’s seat of your life, may be what led to this dissatisfaction in the first place.
“Comparison is the thief of joy”
– President Theodore Roosevelt.
Between the seemingly never-ending cycle of quarantine, lockdown, and curfew, life seems to be on repeat as we continually miss the “normalcy” of our lives pre-pandemic. If you’re feeling stuck, the following may apply to how you feel right now (or not, remember that your experience is unique): Having trouble remembering what day of the week it is, but you just know there’s a laundry list of things you must get done. Having no energy to get the things done, including activities you once enjoyed. You are frequently annoyed or agitated. You find it hard to be happy and are frustrated because none of the old ways seem to work.
The first step to moving forward past this phase in your life is to engage in self-reflection. You are already on the right track by acknowledging your dissatisfaction. Now, take inventory of the specific areas in your life that you want to change. Below are journal prompts to support you in your process:
- What am I dedicating the majority of my time to?
- How can I recharge my energy?
- Are there areas where I have not been showing up as my authentic self?
- Which thoughts receive the most attention?
- What can I do today that aligns with my goals/aspirations in life?
One of the keys to moving forward is acknowledging that the familiarity isn’t working for you right now, then switch it up. Feeling stuck can cloud your mindset, making it difficult to see the possibilities of the other side. The truth is that you have the power to change the things that don’t make you happy. You have the power and autonomy to embark on a completely new (and likely uncomfortable) path because this is your life to live.
So, try new things. When was the last time you did something for the first time? Switch up your routines. Prioritize the things you enjoy in your day versus the things you “should”, or “have” to be doing. Do something fun!
“The need for change bulldozed a road down the center of my mind.”
—Maya Angelou
While my hope is that these tips give you the motivation to push forward it may be likely that this phase of your life is calling for you to ask for help. Remember that you don’t have to go through it alone. Seeking a therapist to help with the process is a great way to begin working towards feeling unstuck and living a more fulfilled life! A therapist can help you in identifying what may be keeping you stuck, as well as introduce techniques to combat negative self-talk and so much more.
-Shakyra King
