The Best Way to Get Unstuck

Here’s what my clients and friends tell me almost every day: “I’m stuck and I absolutely can’t get out of it.” They may be stuck in a relationship or in a bad mood or a job situation, but they absolutely feel stuck. Here’s the problem. They keep telling themselves that they can’t get out of it. The single best way to stay stuck is to tell yourself that you can’t get unstuck.

“I’m stuck and I absolutely can’t get out of it.”

Essentially, you are reinforcing your own negative belief system and lack of action by telling yourself that you can’t do it. Would you advise your kids like this? Or your best friend? My guess is that you wouldn’t. You’d tell your kids and friend to get motivated and to do something different. You would encourage them to keep trying so that they could get out of the area that they feel stuck in.

The first step in getting unstuck is telling yourself that this too shall pass! Literally say to yourself, “I feel stuck and this sucks, but I will find a way out of it. I always do.” Keep saying it and saying it until you start to believe it. Once you believe it, you will look for ways to overcome it.

There is ALWAYS a way out. ALWAYS!

There is ALWAYS a way out. ALWAYS! Maybe it isn’t an ideal way. Maybe it’s a scary, bad way, but there is always a way out. Trust yourself that you will find a way. Say to yourself, “I will figure this out.” and you will. My life mantra has been, “I never give up.” It drives my family a bit crazy, but it’s a mantra that keeps me moving forward every single day.

I’ve fallen out of that mantra in the past and then I’ve just been stuck in my own unhappiness. Now I keep that mantra in my eye’s sight so that when I’m feeling stuck and miserable, I can pull it out and get moving in a positive way. You are not STUCK forever. You might be stuck in the moment, but you can and you will move forward. Have faith in yourself!

Love,

Lisa Kaplin Psy. D. PCC