i am in the midst of experiencing a personal and professional,
perhaps-only-in-my-head,
miniature existential crisis.
big words for . . .
i am feeling s-t-u-c-k.
countless ideas whirling about.
but nothing concrete happening.
leaving me a bit uninspired.
somewhat discouraged.
unable to grasp my usual momentum.
have you ever felt S-T-U-C-K?!
i’m forcing myself to recall
what i am constantly advising my clients to remember.
about challenging themselves.
about taking baby steps in their unique journeys.
about the fact that they have unique journeys.
about never never never giving up. (thank you, mr. churchill.)
since i need the reminder myself, here are . . .
4 things i recommend for getting unstuck from that proverbial mud:
1. breathe.
deeply.
completely.
before doing anything else.
feel that renewed strength of purpose?
that surge of well-being?
2. repeat this mantra. thoughts > feelings > behaviors.
hopefully your thoughts are useful and productive.
because they affect the way you feel and the way you behave.
replace any self-defeating mind phrases
with realistic, healthy, and motivational thoughts.
3. actively seek out something new each day.
discover unique and interesting aspects about your everyday life every day.
never stop learning and reaching and growing and dreaming.
4. start over as many times as you need to.
follow your own itinerary.
experiment and explore.
plot your own voyage, taking detours whenever necessary.
this is your path, no one else’s.
“One’s destination is never a place, but a new way of seeing things.”
(Henry Miller)
i don’t have all the answers.
but I’m willing to hunt them down.
even if I have to pull my feet out of the mud a few times.
What I continue to appreciate so much about these studio notes is that – although the topics are often complex ones – the thoughts and solutions are broken down into very easy-to-apply remedies. Each time I read about something I’m working on – I always feel it is possible to overcome it.
Thank you for taking the time to publish such an effective blog!
These are great reminders, April. So easy (which I love!). Thanks for sharing!
Yup – just went through this very same thing, and I think now I’m finally starting to crawl out of the mud. I teach my clients thoughts-feelings-behavior also as a form of cognitive behavioral therapy, which can be such a powerful reminder to focus on the positive. Any movement forward is better than no movement at all, right? So yes, baby steps and deep breaths, and before you know it, you are moving on again!
I find that some times I don’t even know I’m stuck in the mud because I’ve been in that aspect of the mud for so long. And it isn’t until I for some reason or another see it differently that I can just simply step out but we have to see that we’re there first…and that’s the hard part. Stepping out, letting go is a simply yes or no decision once we see the mud.
Thanks April for the reminder….
I especially love that photo, April. It made me grin. And yes, I get stuck often. I, too, am guilty of not following my own advice sometimes but I love the built in accountability that gives me. If I am going to teach these tools I better use them! I love it that we can simply…return.
#2 & #4 are my favs!! Love this April! We all find ourselves stuck, but your tips are a sure-fire way to get out of the mud!! Thank you for this post. As always, I am filled with anticipation each week to read your post and NEVER disappointed!!
I love your 4 things April. It’s easy to get stuck in many different aspects of your life. Lately I’ve been stuck with some self-defeating thoughts and I’m ready to move on 🙂
Love love love this April. Yep and YES but feel like I have got through alot lately and it feels good – keep going and great tips xx
BTW – For the first time – I understand the word – existential – the penny has dropped and I see the “exist” part.
love you work, April xx
I love you April. Your posts are always so perfectly timed. I love all your recommendations but the one about seeking out new experiences each day really resonated. thanks so much for writing with your heart, xo
Yes, yes, and yes. I was stuck for a year. I still have no idea what I did to get myself through it other than giving myself permission to keep going. Hugs April!
Yes! I loved your ways to move through the stuckness! The section where you say to take detours, that resonated with me. Detours may seem like moving backwards at times, but I often find they lead to great discoveries.
I’ve just had to move myself out of a stuck situation recently.
When I feel stuck I like to plan stuff. Doesn’t matter what it is. As long as it has me thinking and putting steps in order and then ticking those steps off the list, I’m good.
I almost fell into stuckness this morning, but I’ve got no time for that so had to carry on 🙂
You can also TAP to un-stuck yourself!!
I love how you break down the structure of being stuck by the way… our thoughts lead to behavior, and behavior leads to habit after all.
I’m starting over A LOT today! Good grief. That picture… feels like me … this move, was unreal. Today, internet trouble… good grief again. All I want to do is sit and relax… not sure that is ‘stuck’, but it feels like that picture!!!!
All that aside… I love when you say… “i don’t have all the answers… but I’m willing to hunt them down.” I like you April. You are my kinda woman! xo
#3 is my personal favorite because it was an integral component of my Year of Living Curiously. Such a special, memorable year for me. 🙂
It’s easy to fall into old, muddy habits and forget what is good for us. Which is why #4 is so important.
You are definitely my soul sister. It is decided. 🙂
This, too, shall pass. You’ll be out of the mud in no time. xo
Yes, I have been stuck. And I have found my way out! Recently I even slipped in the mud, literally, and I couldn’t believe how quickly I bounced back up! I thought wow, yes, I can do that emotionally now! Love your 4 tips April. Another one – be with the feelings in your body – if you listen and sense enough – they either shift of their own accoutred as you have been with them rather than ignoring the,, or if you sense and listens well enough there is a message there about what you need to be doing to be loving and kind to yourself! love to you and blessings for getting out of the mud? It is not like we are out for it forever, it is what we do when we go there that is important!
xx
April, I’ve definitely felt stuck many times in life. Each time, I was able to dig myself out. However, I think if I had read your beautiful words, during those times, it would’ve dug myself out much quicker. Thank you so much…