We all have stages throughout our lives where we get stuck in a monotonous pattern. Whether we have fallen short of our goals, suffered a blow to our self-respect, bear a painful breakup, or are going through a demanding transition to a new phase in our lives, sometimes, it can be hard to find the motivation to move forward. In today’s article, we will discuss some ways to move forward.
Ways to Move Forward
Sometimes we wait for someone or something to lift us out of the hole. Depending on external events can be awfully restrictive as it strips you of your internal power, making it harder to lead a fulfilled & happy life. If you are feeling stuck, here are eight ways to move forward to a Better Life.
1. Reflect
If you want to know how to get yourself unstuck in life, you have to know why you got stuck in the first place. Regrettably, the reasons are only sometimes palpable, so you may require doing some soul-searching before you get your answer. An excellent way to do this is to recognize the thoughts & feelings you have during episodes in which you feel ‘stuck’ & then track back the things that occur before & after you face them.
Making a conscious effort to dig deep will help you decide if there are any consistencies, letting you devise a plan of action to change the things that have trapped you. If you are having trouble recognizing the reasons behind your feelings, you may ask yourself these questions:
- Are you getting stuck in the past?
- Do you feel you have no control over a particular aspect of your life?
- Are you letting fear of failure hold you back?
- Do you often compare yourself to others?
- Are the people around you dragging you behind?
2. Let It Go
Once you’ve recognized the reason(s) you are feeling stuck, make an obligation to yourself to let it go. Whether you are holding onto fears of failure, regret, sadness, defeat, or anger, admit that these emotions are no longer helpful. Let yourself feel all of the negative emotions that have taken up refuge in your mind one last time, & then do whatever it is you require to do to move forward.
Accept that you may receive the apology or promise you are looking for, distance yourself from the people who are actively holding you back, be with people who boost your self-confidence, employ a regime of regular self-care, & seek the help of a counselor or therapist if needed.
3. Take a Break
Whether it’s 5 minutes of attentive meditation, an hour-long workout at the gym, or a week away with your near & dear ones, taking a break is one of the best things you can do for yourself & your psychological well-being when you are feeling stuck.
The time away will let you clear your head, put things into a different perspective, reconsider & re-prioritize, and feel more focused & in charge. However, Sherlock Holmes argued that you must focus on another task if you feel stuck. However, all of us are not workaholics, eccentric & genius like him who would get crazy without any work & start target practicing & experimenting with chemicals inside his room.
4. Find Your Purpose
If you’re trying to find out how to get unstuck, you probably know the importance of knowing your ‘why.’ Having a clear purpose creates significance – it gives your life a sense of path & persuades your goals & behaviors every day.
If you are unsure what your ‘why’ is, think about the things that motivate you. Why do you get out of bed in the morning? What are the things you shine at most? How do you wish to add value to the world & your community? What kind of a person do you aspire to be?
All of these questions may help you to define your purpose, which will help you to move forward to a better life, concentrate on the things that matter most, & enhance your motivation.
5. Be Determined to Change
Another simple yet useful tip to try if you are feeling stuck is to admit you are stuck & decide to find a way out of it. Once you figure out why you are feeling the way you are & you have taken ample time to find your purpose, the only thing holding you back is your state of mind. Your only limit is you. Though sometimes we do not even understand that we got stuck, sometimes we live in denial & wait for some external push. Those are not helpful at all.
6. Leave Your Comfort Zone
If you want more in life but at the same time struggle with fear of failure, decide to do something every day that intimidates you. While it can be alluring to stay within your comfort zone where things feel secure & familiar, always remember that growth & opportunity live further than that. Staying stagnant will not help you to achieve your dreams & goals. Recognize little things you can do on a daily basis to help you push past your fear & feel more powerful. Build slowly over time to keep the drive going.
7. Go After Your Dream
Not all of us have the liberty & flexibility to leave our day jobs & pursue our dreams full-time, but don’t let that to stop you from doing the things that motivate you. Whether it is blogging, photography, singing, cooking, or a home restoration project, find something you are zealous about & make some time for it. It can do miracles for your soul, & will bring meaning & purpose to your days, which will help you to lift your spirit while you are feeling stuck. This is one of the excellent ways to move forward.
8. Stop Comparing Yourself with Others
In this age of social media, we live under continuous pressure to live a picture-perfect life. As a by-product, we start comparing ourselves with others. Someone is having a nice vacation overseas & posting all those beautiful pictures. Don’t be sad after seeing that; consider that you would like to go for a holiday too but could not manage a leave. Someone has bought a new car, & you would love to have a car too, but you need to save more after taking care of your family’s needs.
All of us are born with different talents, aspirations, & backgrounds. All of us face different challenges that shape us. Most of us are not lucky to be born with a silver spoon. It takes time to realize & reach one’s true potential. Therefore, never compare yourself with anyone. Being a lion, if you compare yourself with a monkey in the ability to climb a tree, you will always feel like a failure.
Conclusion
You are not alone if you feel stuck, stressed, or torpid. Many people are feeling burned out or feel they have no control over both their professional & their personal lives. You can get unstuck & set your course to begin moving forward. Therefore, we should pick ourselves up, find some meaning & purpose & explore ways to move forward for an effective & prosperous life.