Stuck.

Is anyone really stuck in life? I like to think not, but it’s the feeling of stuck that I’m thinking through today. Because it’s an emotion I’ve been struggling with lately. And it feels like an itchy sweater to me.

 “Growth is painful. Change is painful. But nothing is as painful as staying stuck somewhere you don’t belong.” ~Mandy Hale

 I’m a big believer in the idea that what you think about expands. So, I’d prefer to just sweep this crazy mixed up feeling under the carpet if I’m being 100 percent honest.

I’ve faced a few small personal challenges lately that have left me feeling discouraged and stuck. Nothing major, just small annoying things. I’m someone who loves adventure. And travel. Twice this summer I’ve had to quickly cancel trips to handle “life stuff”. This last one left me sadder than sad. Don’t worry, it’s really not a big deal just something I need to attend to. But whew, I’ve cried some pity party tears over the last two days. I might have cried enough tears to fill a small lake. And I can’t seem to shake this feeling of hopelessness.

Yup, I named stuck’s little brother and said it out loud. Stuck and hopeless go hand in hand.

I have so much to be grateful for.

A warm home, family I’m close to, friends who surprise me with their love and support, a car that never lets me down, I’m healthy, my life is full of abundance and purpose.

So why does this emotion of stuck just keep swirling around me? For starters most of the challenges I’m dealing with are completely out of my control. I just need to let them play out. The desire for control is what gives us all the most trouble in life, right? Letting go of control is one of the hardest things for me to do.

So, I’ve decided to focus my thinking on the things I can control.

Like my attitude. I can stay calm and centered. It’s not always easy, but things like meditation and walking and writing and painting are helpful to me and are the things I can control.

I can choose to stay optimistic. I can make a game of seeing what is going right in difficult times.

I can listen to music. How is it that music changes us from the inside?

I can dream a brand-new dream. Getting so detailed with it that I can FEEL it happening. Some people call this manifesting. I believe in that with all my heart. But when the stuck feeling hits, it’s slower to surface so, I have to find ways to help my imagination along. Like creating a vision board (ever done that?). Or try starting a journal entry with “I see a day when…” Trust me, it’s a game changer.  

I can get busy.

I can reach out and focus on someone who might need my encouragement.

 I can give myself permission to just rest. Take a silent retreat in my own back yard.

 I can plan a day trip and find adventure in my own neck of the woods.

 I can read books that inspire me to travel to new places in my mind.

 Whew. I feel better already and I’m ready to dream a new dream. Anything, anything is possible if you can see it in your heart and mind.

 So, your turn, tell me, what do you do to get the feeling of stuck out of your heart?

 Love and Hope, Robbin