Feeling stuck in life is more common than you might think.
At least to me, it’s a feeling that can be frustrating and confusing at the same time.
Typically, it’s not just about what you’re doing, but also about what you’re not doing. You know, the habits you’ve formed, often without realizing it.
After doing a small-scale case study, I’ve found out that there are certain habits that people who feel stuck in life tend to display.
In this article, I’ll be sharing these 10 habits. Who knows, you might even find your own way of ‘getting unstuck’.
1) They dwell on past mistakes
One common habit that people who feel stuck in life display is dwelling on past mistakes. It’s as if they’re running on a treadmill, constantly replaying previous failures in their minds.
In psychology, we call this ‘Counterfactual Thinking‘ โ a tendency to dwell on what could have been if you did somethign in a different way in the past.
This clearly prevents you from moving forward.
Mistakes are a part of life, and everyone has their fair share. The key is learning from these mistakes and using them as stepping stones to grow and develop.
But when you’re stuck in a loop of past regrets, it’s hard to focus on the present or plan for the future.
2) Procrastination is their best friend
Another common habit is procrastination. People who feel stuck often delay or avoid tasks that could potentially move them forward.
I remember a time in my life when I personalyl faced this.
Around 3 years ago, I was stuck in a job I didn’t enjoy. I knew I needed to start looking for other opportunities or perhaps consider further education to change my career path.
But I kept putting it off.
“I’ll start job hunting next week,” I’d tell myself. Or, “I’ll research grad schools after this project is done.” But weeks turned into months, and before I knew it, a year had passed and I was still in the same place.
In hindsight, I realize that my procrastination was a clear symptom of feeling stuck. The more I avoided taking steps to change my situation, the more stuck I felt.
Simply put, it was a vicious cycle.
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So if you find yourself constantly putting off important tasks, it’s worth asking yourself:
Could this be a sign that I’m feeling stuck in life?
3) They focus on what’s not working
People who feel stuck in life often have a habit of focusing on what’s not working.
They tend to magnify problems and difficulties, which can make any situation feel a lot more challenging than it really is.
This negative focus is actually linked to a psychological phenomenon known as negative bias. Our brains are wired to pay more attention to negative events than positive ones.
This was useful for our ancestors who had to be constantly alert for threats, but in today’s world, it often just leads to unnecessary stress and a feeling of being stuck.
Instead of always dwelling on the negatives, I’d suggest to try balancing your perspective by also acknowledging what’s going well.
It could make all the difference in how you feel about your life.
4) They struggle with decision-making
Another habit of people who feel stuck in life is the struggle with decision-making.
They often find it hard to make choices, even simple ones, and end up feeling overwhelmed and indecisive.
This can be because they’re afraid of making the wrong choice or because they’re waiting for the ‘perfect’ option.
But the reality is, there’s rarely a perfect choice and not making a decision is a decision in itself – usually one that keeps you stuck.
So if you find yourself constantly second-guessing or avoiding decisions, it could be a sign that you’re feeling stuck.
Try to practice making decisions more confidently – start with small ones and gradually work your way up. It might be uncomfortable at first, but trust me, with time, it can become easier.
5) They avoid taking risks
People who feel stuck often avoid taking risks. They prefer to stay in their comfort zone, even if it’s not making them happy or fulfilled.
Risk-taking can be scary. It involves stepping into the unknown and embracing the possibility of failure. But it’s also a key part of growth and progress.
By avoiding risks, you might be missing out on opportunities that could lead to positive changes in your life.
So, here’s the thing:
If you’re reluctant to take risks, it could be a sign that you’re feeling stuck.
Consider small ways you can start to step out of your comfort zone. It might be as simple as trying a new hobby or as significant as making a career change.
After all, every great achievement involves some level of risk.
6) They feel disconnected from their dreams
Feeling a disconnection from your dreams and aspirations is another common sign of feeling stuck. You might have once had ambitious goals and big dreams, but now, they seem distant and unreachable.
This disconnection can lead to a sense of disillusionment and loss of purpose. Your dreams are a reflection of who you are and what you truly want in life.
When you lose sight of them, it’s common to feel like you’re just going through the motions without really living.
That’s why we should all take some time to reconnect with our dreams.
How so?
Just recall what used to excite you and what you were passionate about. It can be the spark that reignites your motivation and helps you move forward.
7) They often feel overwhelmed
Feeling overwhelmed is another habit that people who feel stuck usually display. This can be due to taking on too much at once, or feeling like every task is a mountain to climb.
I can recall a time when I felt completely suffocated by my to-do list. I had so many things to handle โ work projects, family responsibilities, personal goals โ that I didn’t know where to start.
It felt like I was drowning in tasks and responsibilities, and this left me feeling stuck and helpless.
In reality, the overwhelming feeling was a sign that I was trying to do too much at once.
By learning to prioritize and break tasks down into manageable chunks, I was able to regain control and move forward. And if you feel stuck in a rut, you should probably do the same.
8) They’re always busy, but not productive
Interestingly, people who feel stuck in life are often incredibly busy.
Their schedules are packed and they’re always on the go. But despite all this activity, they don’t seem to make much progress.
This is because being busy doesn’t necessarily mean being productive. You can spend all day putting out fires and responding to immediate demands, but if you’re not focusing on tasks that align with your goals, you’ll end up feeling like you’re running in circles.
If your days are filled with frantic activity but little achievement, it might be a sign that you’re feeling stuck.
Prioritizing tasks that contribute to your long-term goals can help you break free from this cycle.
9) They resist change
One more habit that I’ve noticed in people who feel stuck in life is that they simply resist change.
Even when they’re unhappy with their current situation, they might resist making changes due to fear of the unknown or discomfort with uncertainty.
However, change is a part of life and often necessary for growth. Resisting it can keep you stuck in unhealthy patterns or unfulfilling situations.
If you find yourself resisting change, it could be a sign that you’re feeling stuck.
The solution is to slowly learn how to embrace change as an opportunity for learning and growth. I won’t lie to you: it will be challenging at first.
But with time, you might find that it leads to better things.
10) They neglect self-care
The final habit that people who feel stuck often display is neglecting self-care.
They might be so focused on their problems or so busy trying to keep up with demands that they forget to take care of their own physical and mental well-being.
But self-care isn’t a luxury โ it’s a necessity.
It’s the foundation that allows you to handle life’s challenges and move forward. When you neglect it, you’re more likely to feel stressed, overwhelmed, and yes, stuck.
So if you’re not taking care of yourself, it’s time to make self-care a priority. It could be the first step towards getting unstuck and moving forward in your life.
Final thoughts: It’s all about awareness
The complexities of human emotions and behaviors often have deep-rooted connections with our thought patterns and habits.
One such connection is the relationship between feelings of being stuck in life and the habits we’ve discussed in this article.
The key to breaking free from this stuck state lies in self-awareness. By recognizing these habits and understanding their impact, you can start to make conscious changes.
Whether it’s shifting your focus from past mistakes, taking small risks, or prioritizing self-care, each step brings you closer to moving forward.
Remember, feeling stuck doesn’t mean you are stuck.
It’s simply a sign that something needs to change. And with awareness and action, change is entirely within your grasp.
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