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Four ways to get unstuck in life

Dr Elizma van der Smit 

Are you feeling stuck in life or at work? You're not alone. It's a nearly universal human experience to feel stuck at some point in life. Whether in a career, relationship, or even in identifying the next goal — most people will feel stuck at some point Lyons (2022). 

 

Four ways to get unstuck 

  1. Identify what you truly want 

Stuckness can be a vague, ambiguous feeling of something in life not being "right." When you notice these feelings, allow yourself some time to clarify what you want to be different.

Ways to identify what you want: 

  • Create a vision board. Get creative and create a visual representation of what matters to you and what you want in your life.
  • Determine what your values are. What's important to you? Make a list of your top 10 values and look for any patterns.
  1. Set Goals That Actually Matters

According to Petsinger (2022), when you’re setting goals in your career and your personal life, make sure they are goals that matter to you.

Learn about your strengths, your gifts, and your passions. Choose goals that align with who you are at the core, and work toward goals that align with your inner strengths and gifts. This will help you maximize your potential and minimize the stuck and frustrated feelings.

  1. Change your perspective 

Remember that feeling "stuck" can be simply a mindset. With some self-awareness and conscious effort, you can change your perspective to be more flexible.

  • How else can I see this situation?
  • How will I feel about this situation in a week/three months, three years?
  • What would my eight-year-old self offer as advice?
  1. Ask Yourself These Questions Every Day

According to Petsinger (2022), to intentionally design your life, there are questions to ask yourself every day. These questions can help you stay focused on what matters most to you, help you avoid feeling stuck and frustrated, and create the best life possible.

  • WHY AM I GOING TO DO WHAT I’M GOING TO DO TODAY? 

By asking yourself why you’re going to do what you’re going to do today, you will be living intentionally. In today’s incredibly busy, easily distracted world, living intentionally, and focusing every day on what matters most is unique.

  • WHAT WOULD FUTURE WANT ME TO DO TODAY? 

Imagine yourself, in the future, as the best version of you. What would that version of you want you to do today? Making decisions from the viewpoint of the future you can help you move forward and prevent the stuck and frustrated feeling.

 

Resources 

https://www.lifehack.org/813291/how-to-get-unstuck-in-life

This post is for informational purposes only. It should not be considered therapy. This blog is only for informational and educational purposes and should not be considered therapy or any form of treatment. We are not able to respond to specific questions or comments about personal situations, appropriate diagnosis or treatment, or otherwise provide any clinical opinions. If you think you need immediate assistance, call your local doctor/psychologist or psychiatrist or the SADAG Mental Health Line on 011 234 4837. If necessary, please phone the Suicide Crisis Line on 0800 567 567 or sms 31393. 

This blog is only for informational and educational purposes and should not be considered therapy or any form of treatment. We are not able to respond to specific questions or comments about personal situations, appropriate diagnosis or treatment, or otherwise provide any clinical opinions. If you think you need immediate assistance, call your local doctor/psychologist or psychiatrist or the SADAG Mental health Line on 011 234 4837. If necessary, please phone the Suicide Crisis Line on 0800 567 567 or sms 31393.