Feeling Stuck: What It Means and How to Move Forward

by Magdalena Karakehayova

At times, life can feel like it’s running on autopilot. You might find yourself simply going through the motions, not actively making decisions but instead letting life happen. This sense of stagnation can stem from various personality factors, perhaps because you tend to be more passive or may fear disappointing others or disrupting the status quo at your own expense.

For many, this feeling of "stuckess" is all too familiar. People often know, even intuitively, when they feel trapped or stagnant. They may experience a general discontent but struggle to figure out the source, knowing they crave change but not quite sure where or how to start.

Before diving in further, it’s essential to note that feeling stuck at some point is normal. Life has its ups and downs, and everyone experiences periods of good and bad. But this article is specifically for those who feel perpetually stuck, who have felt this way for a while and may have tried but struggled to break free.

Feeling stuck is often accompanied by uncertainty, a sense of not knowing what to do next, and perhaps a dilemma between too many options—or a sense of having no options at all.

How Can You Move Forward?

Here are some ways to take the first steps toward getting unstuck:

1. Get to Know Yourself Better

Take time to reflect, journal, or simply tune into your emotions and thoughts each day. Therapy can also be an invaluable tool here, not because a therapist has all the answers, but because they can help you better understand yourself. Through therapy, you can uncover your values, passions, strengths, and weaknesses, forming a stronger relationship with yourself. This self-awareness can help you make informed decisions about where you want to go and start formulating a plan on how to get there.

2. Reflect on Times When You Felt Happy and Fulfilled

Think back to moments in your life when you were content and energized. What were you doing, and how did it make you feel? For some, happiness might be tied to travel or adventure. This doesn’t mean you need to drop all your responsibilities to travel the world. Instead, you could explore small, adventurous activities that bring excitement into your life or seek out new experiences locally to recreate that sense of discovery.

3. Break Things Down Into Meaningful Steps

Getting unstuck doesn’t require an overnight transformation. Start small and be patient with yourself. Think of it like planting a seed—water it, nurture it, and with time, it will grow into something beautiful. Start with a simple idea or vision of how you’d like things to be. Taking small, consistent actions aligned with your vision can eventually lead to substantial change.

Feeling stuck doesn’t have to be permanent. By exploring who you are, reconnecting with what brings you joy, and taking manageable steps forward, you can start to shift out of stagnation and create a life that feels more fulfilling.