5 Things To Do When You Feel Stuck
Have you ever felt just kind of…bleh? You’re not necessarily sad or down, but you don’t exactly have a pep in your step either. You may feel a lack of enthusiasm for the different facets of your life, or just generally feel stuck. If so, you’re not alone. It can feel confusing when things don’t feel bad, but they also don’t feel great. If there isn’t something specific you can point out that needs changing, how do you move forward to feel more excited and content in your life?
Stuck-ness may happen when your brain and body have gotten into a routine or way of being, and aren’t experiencing much change or newness. Routine and stability is by no means a bad thing! In many ways, these are the things that ground us and make us feel in control - which often leads to life satisfaction. It’s also possible, however, that at times this sameness or stability may start to feel stifling. Sometimes, our brain needs new experiences, sensations, and perspectives to get our creative juices flowing and endorphins pumping. There are plenty of ways to get un-stuck - and we’ve got a few below that may just do the trick.
Visit A New Neighborhood Or Part Of Town
Try picking a part of your city or town that you don’t normally find yourself in. Research the area to find a few things to do - maybe visit a park, eat at a local cafe, or even just check out the architecture and vibe. This is a great way to get out of the comfort zone of your neighborhood and home, without having to put too much time or resources into it. This mini-day trip may be just what you need to mix it up a bit, get outside and move your body, and get to know more about the place that you live, all in one go!
2. Take A Class
Your feeling of stuckness may be due to a lack of stimulation. Once we’re out of school and into the routine of our jobs and family life, we may not be learning as many new things as we used to, even if we don’t realize it. So, learn something new! Try out a class about something you’re interested in. It could be some sort of art class, a language, a form of exercise or movement, or you could join something like a book group. There are so many more classes (free or otherwise) in your area than you think - and so many new things to expose yourself to that could help stimulate your brain and get that energy flowing!
3. Reach Out To An Old (Or New) Friend
It’s possible that some of your stuckness is related to your social networks. No, no, I’m not presuming that you hate your friends! Even if we love everyone around us, sometimes we get into patterns of activities or conversations that are fun, but just not something that excites us anymore. Again, that’s not necessarily a bad thing! But if you feel like this is something that may be impacting your energy, think about reaching out to an old or new friend who may have something differ to offer - perhaps a different point of view, a career that interests you, a sense of humor that you appreciate, or anything else. This could infuse a little more newness into your day-to-day life, and you could get a new or strengthened connection out of it!
4. Change A Part Of Your Routine
Getting yourself un-stuck doesn’t have to entail any huge moves or changes - little tweaks here and there can make all the difference, especially if you’re super busy and don’t necessarily have time to sign up for a whole new class or trek to the other side of town. Try making a small and manageable change to your daily routine. If you have coffee in the morning, try experimenting with different coffee drinks you could make yourself (a mocha, anyone? Perhaps a caramel latte?). Or, if you go for a run a few times a week, try swapping it out for a different type of movement - maybe a yoga flow at home or even running on a different route. These little changes can add up, and can expose you to new things in ways you might not even consider. Give it a try!
5. Attend A New Community Event Or Activity
Going to an event or a new activity in your neighborhood (or outside of it) can definitely be nerve wracking - but it may be an experience that gets you out of your comfort zone, gets you into a space with new and interesting people, and makes you feel more connected to your community and to yourself. Community is something that’s so important to our social and relational health, and yet it’s something that’s not centered - and in fact, very hard to cultivate - in the American lifestyle. Though you may have a lot of people around you and in your social networks, belonging to a community is a different facet of our social health and can keep us engaged in a way that we may not be otherwise. Where do I find local events and activities?, you may ask. Make sure to check out sites like EventBrite to find happenings in your area, as well as social media pages or websites of local establishments and organizations to see what they may be putting on in your community. There are also many newsletter subscriptions you can try out (most of them are free) that promote events and goings-on in any given city/area (give it a Google search). Do a little bit of research, and hopefully you’ll find something that interests you!
A great activity or event to try out is - you guessed - Skip the Small Talk! Our events are super fun, expose you to new venues in your area, and of course help facilitate connections between you and new amazing people. Check out our upcoming events to add to your game plan to get un-stuck!