I remember sitting up in bed one night and saying it out loud, to no one but myself. “I don’t want to do this anymore.”
Not dramatic. Not a crisis. Just true. A quiet realisation that there was more to life than this, more than being endlessly busy, more than holding everything together for everyone else, and how short and precious life actually is. If you are feeling stuck in life right now, even though it looks fine from the outside, this is for you.
Before the shift
Before that, my days looked like a lot of people’s. Mother, teacher, leader, daughter, wife, rushing from one role to the next, trying to fit as much as possible into every day.
The shift itself
It wasn’t dramatic either. It was a pause. A step back. Working out what actually mattered, and where my priorities really were.
Instead of asking how much I could squeeze into the day, I started asking a different question: what actually matters today? How can today be easier? Where can I find some space?
That was the shift. Not a plan. Not a five-step system. Just noticing what was drawing me forward.
What change actually feels like when you are feeling stuck in life
Change like this can feel uncomfortable. Vulnerable. Uncertain. There’s often a kind of grief in it too, letting go of habits, roles, or expectations that no longer serve you, even when you know they’re not working anymore.
What helps
What helps is the pause itself. Taking the time to get back in touch with yourself, with what matters, with how you actually want to live.
It’s okay to feel what you’re feeling. Notice it, then look for the small next step, even if that’s just journaling, a walk, or simply giving yourself space to think about who you are and what you want.
You don’t have to work it all out on your own.
If you’re ready to start noticing what’s drawing you forward, my free Map My Vision exercise is a good place to begin. And if you want the longer version of this work, it’s in my book, The Power to Change.
Questions women ask
How do I know if I am feeling stuck in life?
Often it is a quiet sense that your days are full but not yours. You keep moving from one role to the next, and when you stop, the question underneath is still there: is this it? You do not need a crisis to take that feeling seriously.
What is the first step when you feel stuck?
A pause. Step back long enough to ask what actually matters today, then take one small next step, whether that is journaling, a walk, or a conversation with someone you trust.
Can a life coach help if I am feeling stuck?
Yes. A coach will not hand you a plan. A good coach asks the questions you have been avoiding and stays with you while you answer them. The BreakFree call is a complimentary, no-pressure place to start.
If any of this sounds familiar, I’d love to talk. The first step is the BreakFree call, a complimentary 30 minutes with no pressure either way.
Jo x
