Stuck is one of the hardest feelings to explain, isn’t it? It’s not quite sadness and not quite boredom. It’s that sense that you’re standing still while everything around you keeps moving, and you can’t figure out which way to go.
I’ve had seasons like that. And when I’m in one, I don’t try to think my way out. I write my way out. Here are the prompts I keep coming back to, and I hope they help you the way they’ve helped me.
To Name What’s Going On
- Where in my life do I feel the most stuck right now?
- When did I first start feeling this way? What was happening then?
- If this feeling could talk, what would it say it needs?
To Find What’s in the Way
- What am I afraid will happen if I move forward?
- What am I afraid will happen if I don’t?
- Whose opinion am I worried about?
- Am I waiting for permission? From whom?
To Remember Who You Are
- When was the last time I felt fully like myself? What was I doing?
- What’s something I’ve done before that I once thought I couldn’t?
- What would I tell a friend who felt exactly like this?
To Take One Small Step
- What is the smallest possible step I could take this week?
- What can I stop doing that would give me more room to move?
How to Use These
Don’t try to answer them all in one sitting. Pick one or two that catch your attention and write until you run out of words. Then stop. Come back to another one tomorrow.
And be patient with yourself. Stuck seasons often come right before growth. Sometimes the stillness is where you gather the strength you’ll need for what comes next.
You’re not behind. You’re getting ready.
I’m rooting for you, friend. The next step is coming, and you’ll know it when you see it.
Want a little more support along the way? My two journals, Nurturing Your Soul: A Guide to Practicing Self-Care and The Mindful Journey Journal, are available on Amazon.
