Do you ever feel like the wheels in your mind are constantly spinning and you can’t seem to get your life moving in the right direction? Do you always think that there is something you should be doing, but you consistently find that you are not taking action and going for it? It happens to all of us at some point. Whether it’s your relationships, career or school path, your thought patterns, or your creativity, feeling stuck can be a horrible feeling. But you do not need to stay in that feeling. Stop worrying if you’re good enough, ready enough, or getting everything perfect the first time.
Much of what keeps us stuck can be boiled down to a lack of clarity and fear of the unknown. When you find yourself matched with resistance and not enough momentum, that is when you can hit a wall. But, I am here to tell that there is a light at the end of the tunnel when you are feeling "stuck" or hopeless. Here are some ideas to get you started:
Take baby steps
This one is important, sis. Commit to taking one small goal each day. Whether it be waking up just a few minutes earlier, or catching up on some work, or even going to the gym. Or, if you have more lofty goals in mind, set a reasonable timeline to meet your long-term ambitions and then break it down into smaller, more attainable steps so that your momentum begins to propel itself forward.
Find clarity
Are you able to clearly dictate your goal or desires? If not, your first step is to take some time to reflect and think about what you want. Either in deep meditation or conversation, ask yourself these essential questions: What do you value? What is non-negotiable in terms of your overall happiness and wellbeing? What am I really passionate about? What brings you joy? Once you know the answer to some of these questions, you will have a better idea of what your overall goals are. Try creating a vision board, journaling, maybe even talking your life plans over with some girlfriends. Find what works for you and find some clarity.
Remove unnecessary obstacles
Moving toward a goal is one thing, but identifying and dealing with all of the things standing between you and your final destination is a whole other playing field. If you’ve been wasting too many productive hours binging on social media, try setting some boundaries on how often you spend leisure time online. Instead, take a course, read a motivational self-help novel, practice meditation, or exercise. Surround yourself with people who support and uplift you, and cut ties with those who don’t. If you identify these obstacles clearly, you will have a better understanding of how to remove them.
Network
Networking is such an important thing, sis. Begin making connections with people and organizations that are of interest to you, because connecting with others is a healthy way to live your life. Allow yourself to be supported by people who can benefit your career, participate in relevant social media groups or join a club or other networking organization. Opportunities, encouragement, and new relationships can come knocking from anywhere, so make sure that you let people know where your door is, sis.
Mix up your routine
When we are stuck in a revolving cycle of the same thoughts and patterns, it can be helpful to shake things up and remove items in your life that you can control. For example, if you always take the same way home from work, mix it up and take a different route. Instead of hitting up your favorite coffee shop that knows your usual, try a new shop and place a new order. Cook up an original recipe for dinner or walk the streets of a new park or neighborhood. Remind yourself that you are making small, simple changes in your life and you will begin to notice how your energy and mindset can shift instantly when put into new environments and scenarios.
Be flexible
While it’s important to be clear and realistic when envisioning a goal, to put an action in place, you have to know that it is ok to fail. In life, not everything goes to plan. Life is rarely a straight and narrow path. Be willing to review and edit your plans, your timelines, or your end goal if need be. Be focused, but also flexible.
Find inspiration
Inspiration indeed is all around us. If you’re feeling stuck creativity, get the juices flowing by flexing the same muscles but in something outside of your standard zone. For, example, if you are experiencing writer's block, try drawing, painting or sculpting it out. If you are generally feeling uninspired, spend a few hours at a local art gallery, museum. library or park. Tuck away your phone and give yourself over to the art and the people around you.
Believe in the power of now
We should always be comfortable with the idea that there will never be a “right time" for everything in our lives. The only time you can ever be sure of is right now. If you delay moving forward and facing crucial decisions because you want to wait for the perfect circumstances, you’re going to be sitting in the waiting room a long time, sis. Don’t wait for luck to come to you — good luck rewards hard work, and you are the only one who can turn those dreams into a reality.
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