How to Embrace the In-Between Seasons of Life
April 5, 2024
Being stuck most times feels like you’re in a dark hole. You want to climb out of it but can’t find a way out. So you start feeling overwhelmed with fear, anxiety, and loneliness. All while the world seems to speed past you while you’re stuck where you are.
You realize the need to get out of your current situation, but the crippling anxiety you feel causes you to do nothing to change your condition. So how do you escape this dark hole? This article will explore six questions to help you understand why you are stuck and the steps you can take to move forward.
Let’s take a moment to examine your expectations for yourself. The first question is, are they yours? Are you living a life based on what you want to do or what others expect you to do? You may feel stuck because the expectations of others for your life do not align with what you truly desire for yourself.
The second question to ponder is, do you expect perfection from yourself? Being a perfectionist is something that I’ve struggled with in the past. And whenever things didn’t turn out as I envisioned in this perfect world I created for myself, I would feel disappointed. But the reality is no one can do everything perfectly, and things don’t always work out the way you plan.
Trying to get everything done perfectly will hold you back from actual progress. Sometimes you must start messy and keep going until you figure it out. And if you fail, that’s okay. There is beauty even in failure. Failure teaches you what to do and what not to do. It shows you your strengths and areas you need to improve. Setbacks can also signify that this may not be the right direction and allow you to begin again.
Whatever expectations you set for yourself, make sure they’re yours and give yourself the grace and patience to explore what you desire and to always know you can begin again.
It is challenging to do anything if you have no sense of direction or purpose in life. So, how do you find direction?
The first step is to get very clear about what you want. Think about your ideal life, and then write down the steps you need to take to get there.
To make this process more fun, try using a vision board. A vision board gives you a visual representation of your dreams, which makes them feel within reach: pin pictures and words of beautiful and inspiring things on your vision board.
Free Resource: Passion & Purpose Worksheet →
We often make more time for things and others than we do for ourselves. It is easy to be distracted by the news and social media or so focused on our jobs and taking care of our families that we usually don’t have much time left for ourselves.
But here’s the thing: YOU should always be your first priority. When you take the time to work on yourself, you become more fulfilled. When you’re more fulfilled, you can better show up for the people and things that are important to you. So take some time this week to start developing yourself, even if it’s just 30 mins a day. Spend time doing yoga, meditating, reading, or learning a new skill or hobby.
It is crucial to choose your friends carefully. The people we surround ourselves with significantly affect us more than we like to admit. Examine your circle of friends and their influence on your life. Do they support and encourage you to go higher? Or do they try to hold you back and keep you stuck in the same place? One way to know if someone is for you is to pay attention to what they say and do when you talk about your dreams.
One way to get closer to your dreams is to connect with someone who has accomplished what you would like to do. This could be in the form of a new friend, mentor, or coach. How will this help?
Usually, we feel stuck because we allow ourselves to get too comfortable with where we are in life. If we keep doing the same things, nothing will ever change. When was the last time you tried something unfamiliar?
Do you want a new job? Look for one. Are you tired of your current job? Start your own business. Do you want a relationship? Get out there and mingle. Do you want to travel? Do some research, then book your flight.
The point here is to do something you wouldn’t normally do or something spontaneous. It helps to shake things up and step outside of your comfort zone.
No matter how dreadful your situation may seem, there is always something to be thankful for. Keeping a gratitude journal can help you develop this practice. Each day, write down the things you are grateful for, even the most minor things. Doing this regularly will help you to recognize and appreciate the good things in your life.
Get clear on what you truly want in life and take small steps each day to get there. Remember, you are in control of your life. Just because you feel trapped doesn’t mean that you are. So, what will you do today to move forward?
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