I’ve Been Feeling Stuck
Good morning! I am especially looking forward to this weekend. We’re spending Saturday with Derek’s family and Sunday with my Grandma.
It’s going to be great! I hope you have something special to look forward to as well.
I’ve been feeling stuck lately, and I thought I’d share the experience.
Stuck – Feeling Like I’ve Lost a Turn
You know the game Candy Land? When you get stuck in the Molasses Swamp and lose a turn?
I certainly feel like I’ve lost time. My mind has been spacey. Do you know what I mean by that? It just goes blank. It’s almost like losing time. I can watch TV, cross-stitich, do chores, but if I try something that engages the mind on a more interactive level I’m just not there. Perhaps it’s still a bit of brain fog from Covid? Perhaps it’s my migraine?
I know, in part, I’ve lost the momentum I had going, and I just need to build the benefit of that back up.
Another part, I just need to give myself a bit of grace. I can do my best and give myself the benefit of the doubt. I know I’m not deliberately avoiding working so I shouldn’t be beating myself up about it.
I thought I’d share my experience, because I’m sure I’m not the only one who goes through this from time to time.
My Strategy
I’m just going to move forward as best I can giving myself some grace from now on. I tend to judge myself harshly.
I’ll share a story. When our Boxer was a puppy, his bladder didn’t grow in keeping with his body. We kept taking him to the vet thinking he must have a bladder problem. He was peeing every 20 minutes! Finally, after many tests over a period of weeks, the vet said his body was growing so quickly and not in time with his bladder. Eventually, they would be in sync and he wouldn’t have such a problem.
During this time, I was exasperated! I constantly smelled like pee. Mister Keats hadn’t learned to walk down the stairs from our third floor apartment with his long clumsy legs, yet. So, I carried him. I was always getting wet.
One day, pretty early into all of this, I looked down at him and he looked up at me with his big eyes and a look. And, I just knew. He wasn’t doing it on purpose. All he wanted in the world was to make me happy. And something in me was hooked. We were in sync. He had my heart.
I need to be that way with me. I need to give myself the same grace I gave Mister Keats.
Conclusion
Can you relate?
I hope if you can relate to the blankness it hasn’t been recent, but if it has or is or if you can relate in some way similar, I hope this post gives you some hope.
You’re not alone.
It will get better.
I’m going to give myself some grace, and I hope when you face such a challenge, you give yourself some, too.
Please leave a comment and tell me what this makes you think of. Do you have any advice for me and you?
Your story exemplifies for me how our animals teach us what is important in every life situation. Mister Keats, bless his soul and little bladder! Blessing every situation and striving to be in sync with the challenges as well as the peak realizations is what I believe is the recipe for success. Thanks for articulating this for me.
The nurse in me (that never dies) says- yes Covid may be the reason for the brain fog. Be gentle and kind with yourself ❤️
Kate Loving Shenk recently posted…Coping with Cancer Diagnosis: A Practical Guide
Thanks, Kate, for your compassion! Bless every situation. That’s a good mindset. I’m writing that down. It will be my mantra for the coming week. My mom is having heart surgery on Thursday; this phase will help me a great deal both in business and personally. Have a wonderful week, Kate!
Nakina
Hi Nakina – Yes, I think we all get a little foggy sometimes and that really is OK! I believe that if we do what we do with the best of intentions and act in kindness and try to progress as best as we can, we will succeed. I love this story of how you cared for your dog in an unselfish way regardless of how you smelled and how difficult the situation might have been. This story is servanthood defined. And, yes, you and the rest of us should give ourselves some grace! Have a wonderful week, my friend!
Hey, Ernie! It’s OK, isn’t it? How can I say that for others and not for myself? I really must learn to be kind and understand that my best intentions and best attempts are what matter. I loved Mr. Keats so much! Life came all about making sure he was the happiest he could be. What if we treated ourselves with that much kindness?
Have a wonderful week, Ernie!
Nakina
I really appreciated your post and the way you’ve shared your personal experience with feeling stuck. It’s so relatable to hit those moments where everything feels like it’s on pause, and your comparison to getting stuck in the Molasses Swamp from Candy Land was spot-on! I’ve definitely been there myself.
I love the analogy you made with Mister Keats. It’s a powerful reminder to extend the same kindness and understanding to ourselves that we often show to others. It’s easy to be harsh on ourselves during these times, but giving ourselves grace is crucial. Sometimes, the best thing we can do is to accept where we are and keep moving forward, even if it’s at a slower pace.
One thing that has helped me when I feel stuck is setting small, manageable goals. Even if they seem trivial, accomplishing them can provide a sense of progress and help build momentum. It’s also helpful to remember that these phases are temporary and part of the process. Every Friday, I do a weekly win post to encourage others to share all the small steps each week and celebrate them. It is truly about the journey, not the finish line.
Thank you for sharing your journey and reminding us that it’s okay to take things one step at a time. I hope the weekend with Derek’s family and your Grandma brings you joy and rejuvenation. Looking forward to hearing more from you soon!
Hi, Alison! Thank you for your kind words! Your reference to building momentum by completing even the smallest of tasks is very encouraging. It would build momentum just to begin. I like the idea of doing a weekly win post on Fridays. That’s a great idea! Saturday was wonderful and we’re going to see Grandma soon. It’s been a great weekend! Have a fabulous week, Alison!
Nakina
Nakina thanks for sharing your current situation. I say current because I can tell by reading your post that you will work through these feelings of being stuck. When it comes to progressing in my business, feeling stuck sometimes seems like a weekly event. I find that’s when I have to immerge myself into the processes, then poof. All of a sudden clarity steps back in and I’m off to the races moving forwards again. Hope you enjoy yourself this weekend!
Oh, thank you, Ken! Your belief in me is very encouraging! I like the idea of fully submerging myself in the process and trusting that clarity will come. I’m going to try that. I’ll just dive into the small steps and see what happens! I’m having a wonderful weekend. Thank you, Ken! Here’s to a wonderful week ahead!
Nakina
Hi Nakina,
I can relate to that feeling of being stuck and needing to give yourself some grace. It’s easy to be hard on ourselves, but sometimes the best thing we can do is take a step back and be kind to ourselves, just like you did with Mister Keats. I love the way you shared your story, it’s a great reminder that we all go through phases like this and that it’s okay to move forward at our own pace.
It’s clear he was just trying his best to make you happy, and his big, adorable eyes made it impossible not to fall in love with him. I see the same in my own Boxer, Murphy. They both have that same sweet, innocent charm that makes it easy to forgive and love them no matter what.
You will get through this bump in the road. Try not to be so hard on yourself so much. Thanks for sharing this, and I hope your weekend is filled with joy and relaxation. 😊
Meredith
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Hi, Meredith! I’m so glad to hear you have a Boxer! All dogs are wonderful, but there’s something about a Boxer… I am going to go easier on myself. I really did learn a lesson this week. Writing this post was helpful. This weekend has been a joy, and I’m looking forward to the coming week! Hope you have a great one as well!
Nakina
Nakina, Thank you for sharing your experience so openly. I can relate to feeling stuck and losing momentum, especially when life feels overwhelming. It’s so important to give ourselves grace, just like you did with your puppy. Your story is a great reminder that sometimes, we just need to be patient with ourselves. I’m sure things will get better for you, and I’ll try to remember to be kinder to myself too. thanks Atif
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Hi, Atif!
Grace is important. Things are improving. I’m feeling much better, and I’m looking forward to the coming week. I think we both expect a lot from ourselves. Here’s to going a bit easier on us!
Nakina
Oh I relate, Nakina. I do need to give myself some grace like you gave Mister Keats.
I just can’t seem to pick the pace up enough with this blog hopping/sharing strategy detailed by Glenn in our last virtual private event.
My mind just goes blank sometimes after reading a blog post and not really having any idea how to introduce the post to my audience.
But that has become clearer after Glenn’s answer in a Daily Ask Us Anything session. He says it’s nice to give an intro when posting other people’s blogs – but not required. This will help with any brain fog I may encounter and enable me to move forward.
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Hi, Robert!
I’m glad to hear I’m not alone with the fogginess! Thanks for sharing.
Personally, I am terrified of blog-hopping. I’m not much of a social poster. In fact, I only dared to make my first post on my business Facebook page, which was not simply a blog post, this week. Your tip on how to share others’ posts helps me, too, because I need to start blog-hopping. I am such a timid person.
This week, I started wearing a wristband. When I find myself hesitating in any respect, I switch the wristband and then act. It is helping.
Here’s to giving ourselves grace!
Nakina
Thank you for this article!
This article enlightened me and made me recognize what many people have struggled with lately. The “COVID fog” is something that many are working with, coupled with all the external things happening in the world.
An important reminder, though, is that external challenges will always be around. The key is to look inward, focus on things that we can control (our mind, reactions, etc.), and accept things that are beyond our control.
You are welcome, Michael!
It’s been a week since I tested negative. I think the COVID fog might last longer than the virus—just a guess based on my own experience. You make a good point. There will always be external pressures distracting us from doing what we can do. It’s best just to focus inward and do what we can in our own little bubble, so to speak.
LOL! I just imagined myself inside one of those hamster bubbles that they can run around in outside! I think in pictures, and that cracks me up! I’ll have to print out such a picture to remind me to focus inward while I’m working and just do what I can control in the moment.
Thanks for that reminder, Michael!
Nakina
Good morning, Nakina! Thank you for sharing your feelings of being stuck; I think many of us can relate to that experience, especially after facing challenges like Covid. I’ve been there many times myself, and what has helped me is understanding that this is a journey that often takes 3-5 years. It’s important to recognize when we need to give ourselves a break, and your strategy of moving forward with grace is a wonderful mindset. I love the story about Mister Keats—it’s a beautiful reminder that we all deserve the same compassion we extend to our loved ones. Remember, you only need to keep going at your pace; progress will come when you feel better. I hope this weekend brings you joy with Derek’s family and your Grandma, and that you find moments of inspiration to help lift that fog. You’ve got this. All The Best
Thank you for your beautiful comment, Ezequiel!
And you are welcome! I am so glad so many people found it touching. Moments of inspiration to help lift the fog… when those moments come, I will recognize them as such, seize the opportunity, and get some work done! How beautifully put! I had a wonderful weekend with my family! They are my “why ” and my favorite moments.
We’ve got this! Thank you, Ezequiel!
Nakina
Hi Nakina,
Oh boy can I relate!
Being harsh on yourself seems to be a trait many self-employed people seem to have.
I told myself a few months ago that I would be persistent and give myself a break now and then. Vacations came up and to be honest, I feel like I learned more during this down time than ever before – and yet, don’t feel as if I put undue pressure on myself.
there is definitely a lot to go with the phrase: “be kind to yourself”
Take care!
Hey, Marc!
I’m so glad you enjoyed your vacation! It is important to take a break! And you feel like you learned a lot during your downtime? That’s great! Along a possibly similar vein, I’ve noticed if I get up in the middle of the night and work, I can get a lot done very easily. (I’ve had a bit of insomnia lately.) And I think it’s just because there’s no pressure at 2 AM while during my normal working hours, there’s a lot of pressure! I’ve been trying to mimic the no-pressure feel of 2 AM at 9 AM and after. After all, I’m the one applying it!
To our success!
Nakina
I certainly can relate to the fog. Most weeks when I sit down to write a blog the mist rises and envelopes my brain. How it dissipates is a mystery to me. I love the story of your dog and his slow-to-catch-up bladder. That was truly a bonding moment.
Hi, Andy!
Yes, it was! I love how you say how the brain fog lifts is a mystery. Maybe I should be more patient because it often lifts, doesn’t it? Wow! I’m going to try that. It’s not a specific strategy, but just sitting down with the expectation that it will dissipate somehow is a strategy I can try… You probably didn’t mean to give me a mind-blowing revelation there, but you did! Thank you!
Nakina
Love your AI image at the top of the post. Perfect picture of being stuck. Then you grab us with your dog lesson. Continue the great work.
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I can totally relate to feeling stuck and having that “lost turn” feeling. It’s like you’re moving through molasses, right? It’s such a frustrating place to be, especially when you’re used to being productive and engaged.
It’s great that you’re taking a compassionate approach with yourself. Giving yourself grace is so important, especially when dealing with brain fog or physical challenges. Sometimes, just acknowledging that it’s okay to not be at your best all the time can be a huge relief.
Your story about Mister Keats is so heartwarming. It’s a beautiful reminder that we should treat ourselves with the same kindness and understanding we would extend to someone (or a puppy) we care about deeply. Just like Keats eventually grew into his body, you’ll find your rhythm again too. Keep being kind to yourself and take it one step at a time. You’ve got this!