Why Feeling Stuck Might Be the Wake-Up Call You Need

Feeling stuck? It’s not because you’re unmotivated. It’s because you’re avoiding what needs to be addressed.

We’ve all been there—feeling like we’re spinning our wheels, trying to gain traction but going nowhere. The kind of stuck that makes you question everything: Why can’t I just move forward? What’s wrong with me? But here’s the thing—being stuck isn’t a sign that something is wrong with you. It’s a signal.

I remember a time when I felt completely stuck. It wasn’t just a bad day or a lack of motivation—it was a deeper, heavier feeling, like I was dragging an invisible weight. On the surface, it looked like I was trying. I was busy with tasks, working late, and brainstorming ideas. But deep down, I knew none of it was moving me forward. I wasn’t stuck because I didn’t know what to do—I was stuck because I was avoiding what really needed to be addressed.

Why We Get Stuck

Being stuck isn’t random. It happens when there’s a disconnect between what you’re doing and what you truly want or need. Often, this disconnect is rooted in:

• Fear of the unknown: Moving forward means stepping into unfamiliar territory, and that’s scary.
• Unaddressed emotions: Maybe there’s resentment, grief, or disappointment you haven’t dealt with, and it’s weighing you down.
• A lack of alignment: You’re trying to follow someone else’s path instead of listening to your own intuition.
• Burnout: You’ve been pushing for so long that your mind and body are crying out for rest.

When I think back to that stuck period, I can see now that I was avoiding some hard truths. I was afraid of making the wrong decision, so I made none at all. I felt pressure to live up to an ideal that wasn’t even mine, and I ignored the voice inside telling me what I really needed. Instead of addressing those deeper fears and misalignments, I stayed busy, convincing myself that if I just worked harder, I’d break free. But "later" doesn’t come until you confront what’s keeping you stuck.

What Getting Unstuck Really Looks Like

Here’s the truth: Getting out of a rut isn’t glamorous. It doesn’t happen with a sudden burst of inspiration or a perfectly executed to-do list. It happens when you’re willing to pause, reflect, and do the inner work.

1. Stop Running and Start Listening

Most of us try to outrun the feeling of being stuck. We fill our schedules, distract ourselves, or tell ourselves, I just need to power through. But being stuck is like a flashing warning light on your dashboard—it’s telling you to slow down and pay attention.

I remember one evening sitting at my desk, staring at a long list of tasks I had no motivation to tackle. Frustrated, I grabbed a notebook and just started writing. At first, it was a stream of complaints—I feel stuck. I don’t know what to do. Why is this happening? But then something shifted. As I kept writing, deeper thoughts surfaced: What if I fail? What if I’m not good enough? What if I never figure this out? That moment of honesty was uncomfortable, but it was also a breakthrough. For the first time, I stopped running from the discomfort and started listening to what it was trying to tell me.

2. Identify the Stories You’re Telling Yourself

When you’re stuck, your mind loves to create stories. I’m not good enough. I’ll never figure this out. What’s the point of trying? These stories aren’t truths—they’re narratives you’ve picked up along the way. The first step to breaking free is recognizing them.

I realized I had been telling myself a story that success needed to look a certain way. I thought if I wasn’t constantly achieving and checking boxes, I was failing. That belief kept me in a cycle of overworking and second-guessing, even when it wasn’t getting me anywhere. Recognizing that story allowed me to question it: Who says success has to look this way? What if I define it on my own terms?

3. Take One Small, Brave Step

Getting unstuck doesn’t mean you have to overhaul your entire life overnight. In fact, trying to do too much at once can leave you even more overwhelmed. Instead, focus on one small, meaningful action that feels achievable.

I remember deciding to reach out to a mentor I admired. It was a simple step, but it felt terrifying at the time. What if they didn’t respond? What if I sounded foolish? But taking that step not only broke the cycle of inaction—it also opened doors I hadn’t even considered. Small steps build momentum. They remind you that you’re capable of moving forward, even if it’s just a little bit at a time.

What You’re Avoiding Might Be the Key

When you’re stuck, there’s often something you’re avoiding. It could be a difficult conversation, a decision you’ve been putting off, or an emotion you don’t want to feel. Whatever it is, avoidance only gives it more power. The way forward is through.

For me, it was the fear of failure. I didn’t want to face the possibility that I could put my heart into something and have it not work out. But the truth is, avoiding that fear only kept me stuck. When I finally let myself confront it—really sit with it—I realized it wasn’t as overwhelming as I’d built it up to be. The fear didn’t go away entirely, but it lost its grip on me.

Avoidance often acts as a shield. We think if we stay behind it, we’ll stay safe, but in reality, it’s the very thing keeping us trapped. Facing what you’re avoiding might feel like the hardest thing to do, but it’s also the most liberating. It’s not about "fixing" the problem overnight; it’s about acknowledging it, giving yourself permission to feel it, and taking one small step forward.

Sometimes what you’re avoiding is tied to a deeper story you’ve carried for years—a fear of not being enough, a belief that success comes with sacrifice, or an assumption that you’ll be judged. The real work is in challenging those beliefs and realizing that moving forward doesn’t require perfection, just progress.

The Power of Reflection and Realignment

Sometimes being stuck is your body and mind’s way of telling you it’s time to pause and reassess. It’s an opportunity to ask yourself:

• What’s working in my life or business right now?
• What feels out of alignment?
• What do I need more of—and what do I need less of?

Reflection is about creating space—not just physical space, but mental and emotional space—to listen to yourself. It’s about allowing yourself to be honest about what isn’t working without judgment. When I finally asked myself these questions, I realized I had been chasing goals that didn’t align with what I truly wanted. I was saying yes to things out of obligation and fear, rather than desire.

Realignment doesn’t mean tearing everything down and starting over. It means making small, intentional shifts that bring you closer to what feels right for you. It could be redefining what success looks like, setting boundaries, or letting go of commitments that no longer serve you. It’s a process of coming back to yourself and honoring what you truly need.

The beauty of realignment is that it creates clarity. And with clarity comes direction. Moving forward stops feeling like a struggle and starts feeling like an unfolding of what was already within you.

Getting Support When You Need It

Sometimes, getting out of a rut requires reaching out for help. Whether it’s a trusted friend, a coach, or a supportive community, having someone to hold space for you can make all the difference. They can offer perspective, encouragement, and sometimes the push you need to take that next step.

I’ve been fortunate to have people in my life who reminded me of my strengths when I couldn’t see them myself. Their support didn’t fix everything, but it gave me the courage to keep going.

Your Next Step Forward

You don’t have to stay stuck. The way out of a rut isn’t about doing more—it’s about addressing what’s been holding you back and realigning with what truly matters. Take a moment today to pause, reflect, and ask yourself: What’s one small step I can take to move forward?

And if you’re ready to go deeper, join the waitlist for my new membership. This is where we’ll tackle the deeper work together—unpacking the resistance, shifting the patterns, and building the confidence to move forward with clarity and purpose. Because you’re not meant to stay stuck—you’re meant to grow.