5 Steps to Getting Back in the Flow
If it seems like you’re not making any progress in life, you may be plagued with the feeling of being “stuck” – an experience that happens to many people. You may feel trapped and unable to take action due to a dead-end job, an unhealthy relationship, a negative mindset, or a life-changing event like the global pandemic. Whatever the reason may be, feeling stuck can be a painful experience. If left unchecked, it can also take a huge toll on your mental health.
Luckily, there’s a simple way to get back in the flow, when you find yourself unable to move. It all starts by giving yourself a complete makeover. It doesn’t refer to a physical kind of makeover but a more intrinsic kind: one that transforms your way of thinking, taking action, and connecting with others, so that you can start making the significant changes you want to see in your life.
To help you get started, below are five effective steps to get out of a rut:
1. Change Your Mindset
The feeling of being stuck is exactly what it is—a feeling, but not a reality. While it’s important to acknowledge the validity of your emotions, this doesn’t mean that they represent your current situation. More often than not, people feel stuck due to a negative mindset. They may feel like they lack control over their lives or that they’re incapable of accomplishing great things.
However, this is seldom true. Although you can’t control everything that happens in your life, you can control your thoughts and emotions. You can either choose to do nothing—which is a decision in itself—or do something to improve your situation. Remember, your negative thoughts don’t define who you are.
2. Set Goals That Truly Matter to You
In today’s fast-paced world, it’s easy to lose sight of what truly matters to you. You may be following false objectives or chasing after goals that don’t truly align with your passions, values, and ideals.
Hence, you must think about your purpose or “why.” What do you want to do, and why do you want to do it? It will help you set clear goals and create the changes you want to see. Failing to do this may result in a lack of motivation and direction, which, in turn, causes that feeling of being stuck.
3. Step Out of Your Comfort Zone
You may be more comfortable sticking to familiar routines or decisions. It feels safe and risk-free, something that’s essential to those who fear change. However, if you don’t step out of your comfort zone, you’ll find your circle of exciting possibilities shrinking by the day. As a result, you may wind up feeling stuck due to the lack of variety in your life. On the other hand, if you open yourself up to new opportunities, you’ll be able to expand your circle of possibilities and grow as a person.
Stepping out of your comfort zone isn’t about making rash and risky decisions. Instead, it asks that you take calculated risks based on your current resources and capabilities. For example, if you want to shift careers, you can wait until you’ve saved up enough money to transition into a job you genuinely enjoy.
Ultimately, the benefits of stepping out of your comfort zone far outweigh the cons. Even if things don’t pan out the way you envisioned them, you can at least say you tried. It’s certainly better than spending the rest of your life wondering what might’ve been.
4. Make Time for Rest
Common signs of feeling stuck include brain fog, fatigue, and an inability to stay focused. I tis usually caused by burnout or cognitive overload. In other words, you may have been pushing both your body and mind to exhaustion. Everyone needs time to rest to gather enough energy to accomplish their goals.
Additionally, giving yourself a break allows you to shift your focus and gain a fresh perspective once you get back to work. Some great ways to spend your breaks include getting quality sleep, engaging in fun physical activities, meditating, practising other hobbies, and spending time with the people you care about.
5. Reach Out to Those around You
As the adage goes, no man is an island. It’s necessary to surround yourself with people you can talk to and seek advice from. Having a conversation with loved ones about your situation can help you gain a new perspective. Ask them how they overcome these challenges and achieve their personal goals. You can also seek advice from people who’ve achieved goals that are very similar to your own.
With a strong support network, you can foster the motivation and accountability you need to move forward. More importantly, knowing that other people have also felt stuck at some point in their lives reminds you that you’re not alone in your struggles.
While feeling stuck can be a pain to deal with, it’s not necessarily something to avoid at all costs. Perhaps think of it as confirmation that you’re aware of your current position in life—that is, you know you’re not where you’re supposed to be. It is a natural part of getting to where you want to be, provided that you take immediate action. Following the steps mentioned above, you can escape your rut and find a path that will lead you to happiness, authenticity, and personal success.
