7 Highly Effective Ways to Solve Feeling Stuck in Life
Confession: at several points in my 20s, I felt stuck.
Although things went well before, I hit a wall. It was frustrating feeling robbed of any motivation, and insecure about what’ll happen next. Yet, I always made it out, achieving the next level and building a career I love. You can, too.
How? Here are 7 highly effective ways to solve feeling stuck in life.
#1: Fostering a growth mindset
We all know that. Yet, we often neglect it.
Here’s a powerful truth: no matter how much you suck right now, you can change.
It doesn’t even matter if you don’t like yourself as a person.
When my second GF broke up with me, I was grounded.
Not only because the relationship was over, but also because I realized how much of a stubborn, narrow-minded, and uncomfortable person I had become. It was no fun to be around me.
After reading “I’m OK — You’re OK” by Thomas A. Harris, I realized I could change. I started working on myself, becoming more tolerant, open, and empathetic along the way.
And this isn’t because I’m special. Or chosen. It’s because I fostered a growth mindset.
Knowing you can grow, is your first step towards growth itself.
#2: Setting clear and achievable goals
Don’t aim for the moon if you don’t have a rocket.
It’s easy to feel like a loser, seeing people younger than you killing it. I felt like that, too.
But before you get stuck in that, you have to remember three things:
- Big parts of the internet are a sh*tshow
- Comparing won’t get you anywhere
- Your intentions are often different from others’ intentions
You have to work with what you have and from where you are. To reach the next level, you need to set clear and achievable goals. It’s so obvious, that most people overlook it.
Losing weight isn’t a good goal.
Losing 5 kg in two months by running is.
Getting more followers isn’t a good goal.
Getting 110 more Medium followers in a month by writing every single day is.
The more abstract your goal is, the less likely are you to achieve it.
It’s that simple. Take time, and write down what you want to achieve and how you do it.
Because having goals is only the beginning. Defining is key to achieving them. When I started setting goals, I wanted to get in shape.
Of course, I didn’t.
It was too abstract. It didn’t bring me anywhere.
Only when I defined how much weight I wanted to lose and lift, I started seeing progress.
The less abstract your goal is, the more likely you are to achieve it.
#3: Adopting a healthy lifestyle
It’s not always your head telling you, you’re stuck in life.
Often, it’s your body, too. Why?
Because you neglect it.
We are humans, made for movement. Living a sedentary lifestyle, moving our bodies only to the next fridge, coffee maker, or supermarket, is the opposite.
A healthy lifestyle isn’t an option, it’s a necessity.
- Would you refuel your Lambo with cheap petrol?
- Would you use it non-stop?
- Would you never do a check-up?
No, no, and no.
- But most people eat junk food.
- Most people work too much.
- And most people take too little time for themselves.
Fast.
Eat healthy.
Get enough sleep.
Make a habit of taking care of yourself.
The healthier your body, the easier you’ll achieve the next level.
#4: Cultivating gratitude
Even more than enough. But it’s easy to dislike what you have if you compare yourself to others having more.
When I went to the gym, I saw other people buffer than I was. It made me feel like I didn’t do enough. Like I didn’t know enough.
Like I wasn’t enough.
Although, I had already surpassed my initial goal to get fit and in shape. Ridiculous.
Only when I stopped going to the gym and comparing myself, I started feeling better. I realized that life’s not a tournament.
You don’t have to compete.
Gratitude is all about realizing that you have all you need and being thankful for it.
I know we could all have more. But we also all could want less.
Be content with what you have.
It’s more than enough.
#5: Seeking (professional) help
Sometimes you need an open ear.
Although we’re more connected than ever before, most feel isolated. Eager for more human connection.
If you are one of these people, lacking a social circle that can support you, and feeling stuck in life, consider seeking professional help.
A paid ear to listen is better than no ear to listen at all.
I have many friends who go to therapy to get a different, professional view of things.
All of them feel better.
Therapy is effective and offers you something most people can’t: honest feedback.
Without any biases.
Seek professional help if you want to have a different perspective and constructive feedback.
#6: Regular exercising
Exercising is a form of therapy, too.
It releases endorphins and can make you sexy. These two reasons alone are helping most to not feel stuck in life anymore.
After the breakup of my second GF, I realized I needed to change. I felt horrible because I did her, others, and me wrong.
To cope with this feeling of hitting a wall, I went to the gym. I worked out harder than ever before. And I got in the best shape ever.
It was incredible because, with every single rep, I was gaining not only muscle mass but the confidence to change for the better.
Even if you aren’t in the same situation, regular exercise is essential to feel better. Why? With regular exercise, you’re proving to yourself that you can endure exhausting times to become a better version of yourself.
This gets you back on track.
#7: Practicing mindfulness and meditation
Clear your mind and make it agile.
Remember, when I first wrote, it all starts in your head? Remember, when I wrote gratitude can make you feel better? Mindfulness and meditation bring it all together.
They are key to embracing change. And change is what you need to become a better human being. But it’s uncomfortable.
That’s why we often want to avoid it.
Mindfulness can help us realize that change is all around us. Meditation can sharpen our minds to embrace it.
You need to both of them part of your life.
How?
Daily mediation.
Sit down in silence, close your eyes, and be.
Yes, it’s that simple.
Listen to your mind and what it has to tell you. Then, you’ll get the answers you need.
Embrace change and tackle new challenges with more mindfulness and meditation in your life.
If you combine all these seven things, you’ll never feel stuck again in life:
- foster a growth mindset
- set clear and attainable goals
- adopt a healthy lifestyle
- cultivate gratitude
- seek professional help
- exercise regularly
- practice mindfulness and meditation
