Identifying When You Are Stuck & Breaking Free Through Some Every Day Magic

We all experience feelings of being stuck and most of the time if that is what we are feeling, then that is what is happening. 

How do you move beyond being stuck when it’s very nature is to make you feel trapped or like you can’t move forward?

I have a few thoughts to consider on this subject and think it is important and especially as spiritual people we are typically a lot more sensitive to energy. 

First I think it is important to identify what you are defining as being stuck. Are you really stuck or is something else potentially at work here?

Then acknowledgement that you are stuck and not just in denial is important. 

Next define in detail what the version of you who is not stuck looks like. What items are you checking off your to-do list and are they in alignment with your priorities or are they getting in the way. Everything we do should have a WHY attached to it. 

Generally speaking, most of us are masters of complicating the simple because perfectionism comes in all sorts of tricksy disguises. Looking at all the to-do items on your to-do list and pairing it down to what really matters is step one to breaking down this little prison of perfectionism we like to put ourselves in. 

Here are some discoveries I have made regarding how being stuck shows up in my life…

Escapism: Finding myself needing more “mental health” days or time which ultimately only worsens the piling to do list and worsening the symptoms of this perfectionism trap. So if my free time or to-do list is being taken over by netflix, endless research, or house projects it is a good indication that something is not in alignment. 

Rescheduling: More often than not, when I start rescheduling household appointments or deadlines for myself or other family members, then it is a good chance I am overwhelmed. On occasion I am justly overwhelmed, but most of the time I am overwhelmed because I am stuck and when I am stuck I am behind and just growing this cause and effect situation. 

Missing your targets, goals, or deadlines: When we are stuck in feelings of overwhelm or lack of motivation, we start to lose sight of our non-negotiables. It is easy to justify doing this or be really fluid with it, so I think it is important to have realistic non-negotiables and to stick to them. Extenuating circumstances do show up, but it should be rare and a plan put in place for making up the time ASAP. It’s easy to start missing things and feeling like no one notices or cares which can also make it hard to remain consistent in the future. Every minute, hour, or day is an opportunity to do better and self correct. 

Self Doubt: When I am stuck, I am not feeling good about myself. I don’t feel like I am living my best life or delivering my best in other areas of my life. It is easy to start feeling hopeless and like there isn’t a point to do anything, then for this to have a trickling effect in all areas of my life. Self doubt lends itself to our shadows creeping about and making even self care basics difficult. 

The overall impact of feeling stuck is one that can send people to having feelings such as anxiety, depression, avoidance, or self sabotage. It can absolutely make a mountain out of what was maybe just a little ol’ ant hill, but maybe we didn’t know we were stuck or how to move forward. 

Here are some super simple things we can do to start working through feeling stuck in any area of life. 

💫Start committing to one new habit. This could look as easy as moving 5 minutes daily, this could be on an hourly basis or just 1-3 times a day when you start to notice you might start to experience stagnation. 

💫Move a piece of furniture in one of your main living spaces. Not all of us are domestic goddesses or swimming in time, but that one act of movement, moves a whole lot more than just furniture. This is one of many ways we can activate our own energy centers, we release trapped and or stagnant energy in our environment, and create better energetic flow. 

💫Ditch the all or nothing mindset it’s not help anyone, most of all YOU. Compromise is essential and realizing that 5 minutes is better than 0 minutes will slowly, but surely get you out of feeling stuck. This applies to everything, especially the activities that neglecting will trigger you to feel stuck. 

💫Create realistic boundaries. Sometimes when we get started on a project, it’s easy to get caught up in it, which is great, but also can create burn out. Burnout is not something that helps to form habits and can actually keep you stuck or instantly rebounding. So if you know that 5 minutes might lead to many more, knowing your scheduling priorities in advance and setting a timer for the max time you have to devote to an activity will help to ensure sustainability. 

💫Create beauty in something or an intentional act of magic also helps to move the needle forward. This goes back to being very sensitive to our environments and the energy we surround ourselves while in them. Creating a visible magical space where you spend a lot of time, switching up your decor, or surrounding yourself with inspiration are just a few ideas. 

So in short here are some ways to move beyond being stuck (mentally, physically, creatively, spiritual, and so on)

• Create one daily habit and build upon that 
• Move your body
• Move your furniture
• Don’t be a perfectionist
• Define boundaries around time and be realistic
• Surround yourself with magic, inspiration, and or beauty

Want to add an extra dose of magic to move past being stuck? Try some of these!

Crystals: There are a number of crystals that help with stagnant energy, activating various energy centers, and or promoting or preventing anything that could be contributing to the feelings of being stuck you might be experiencing. 

Teas/Herbs/Adaptogens: Much like crystals, there are limitless options. Some people like to incorporate a specific tea into their am/pm daily ritual. All of these are natural remedies to help promote whatever you might be in aid of. If your physical or mental health is a major piece of the puzzle to feeling stuck, then you might turn to the magical or medicinal properties some of these items have to help start feeling your best self which translates into motivation. 

Rhythmic Living: Utilizing and pivoting as needed during specific lunar and seasonal shifts can be critical to getting to the bottom of being stuck. I know that I have a number of things that impact me in the everyday natural world of cycles, what works for me during the summer does not necessarily work for me in the winter just as how I work with  a new moon varies from a full moon. 

Grounding: There are mountains of studies that suggest we need to get out doors more often, that there are vitamins and minerals our bodies need from getting outdoors more often. It also boosts our mood and can even be meditative to just sit in the grass or walk around somewhere nature is present. You can also just calm yourself and ground in doors, but there are many more benefits to getting outdoors. 

Ritual: Starting the day with a morning ritual to define your intention for the day, activate your energy centers, and be mindful of what you plan to manifest that day. End of evening rituals to rest, relax, and release the day can be just important. 

Shadow work: Sometimes when we feel stuck, we are actually trapped in a mindset that is not serving us. It is important to acknowledge what events may lead up to this time of stagnation. Can you identify any patterns from reflecting? If so, I encourage you to journal and look at some alternative stories you could be telling yourself to break free of the mindset block. This is not to be mistaken for shoving things down a little deeper and carrying on, the problems have a way of coming back in unexpected and often amplified ways. 

💡Pro tip: Consider reducing use or replacing things with an energetic draining presence in your home/surroundings such as commercial cleaners and other  harmful chemicals.

Journaling, tarot, astrology, incorporating the energy or inviting a deity into your life, and or working with a reader/coach/trainer etc. are also some great aides to seek out when working through feelings of being stuck. 

Starting is both the hardest and yet easiest thing you can do, just take 5 minutes and pick one thing shared here to break the cycle of being stuck! If you’ve got so much going on you don’t know where to start, try scrying over your options (you can totally close your eyes and see where you point to on a page a trust the universe has got your back), pull some cards for clarity, or consider booking a tarot coaching session with me for some guidance, action steps, and accountability HERE!

Have any tips or tricks from your own experiences, I would love to hear them! If you are actively feeling stuck and have questions about any of the ideas or services shared here, sound off or send brandy@witchythyme.com an email.