Why you Feel Stuck

 – and how to finally move forward

Lately, I’ve been having deep conversations with so many of you - clients, readers, and friends - about the top challenges you’re facing right now. And you know what struck me?

Over and over again, the same theme kept surfacing: feeling stuck.

• Stuck in a job.

• Stuck in a relationship.

• Stuck in life itself - like you can’t quite move forward, no matter how hard you try.

Maybe this is exactly where you are right now. Maybe you’ve felt like you’ve been trying everything to figure things out… but nothing seems to shift.

If so, you’re not alone. And here’s what I want you to know:

You’re never truly stuck.

What you’re feeling is a sensation of stuckness - not a life sentence.

It might feel like being locked in a cage without a key, but in reality, you hold the key. The challenge is learning to understand what’s really going on beneath the surface.

The 3 Types of Stuckness

Through my work and these conversations, I’ve found that this feeling of being stuck usually falls into three main patterns. Once you know which one you’re experiencing, everything begins to make sense - and you’ll know how to move forward.

1. You’ve Outgrown your Current Life

Sometimes, you feel stuck because you’ve grown… but your life hasn’t.

Think of a lobster for a moment. When it grows, its hard shell begins to feel unbearably tight. The lobster knows it has to shed that old shell in order to survive, so it retreats under a rock and begins the painful, vulnerable process of molting.

For a little while, it’s soft and exposed. But eventually, a new, bigger shell forms, and the lobster emerges - stronger and freer than before.

Humans go through this exact same process.

The difference? Our egos often fight it.

You might feel stuck in a job that no longer lights you up, a relationship that has run its course, or even a version of yourself that no longer feels authentic. Deep down, you know it’s time to grow, but change feels terrifying - so you resist it.

The truth? If you keep clinging to the old shell, it will eventually suffocate you.

Your soul is calling you to break free, and that inner discomfort you feel? That’s your sign.

2. You’re Off your Soul’s Path

This one can be tricky, because you might not even realize it’s happening.

Before a spiritual awakening, it can feel like you have complete free will. You make choices, try different paths, and while there might be challenges, you can mostly “make things work.”

But after an awakening, something shifts.

You reconnect with your soul’s higher plan - the path your soul mapped out for you before you were even born.

When you drift away from that path, life starts to feel heavy and hard, like you’re running with a parachute strapped to your back. The more you push in the wrong direction, the more resistance you feel.

This resistance shows up as obstacles, confusion, or even total burnout. It’s not punishment.

It’s your soul saying:

“No, not this way. Listen. Align.”

If you’ve been feeling like everything you try is blocked, this might be why. The way forward isn’t to push harder - it’s to pause and realign with what your soul truly wants for you.

3. You’re in the Void

The third type of stuckness isn’t negative at all - it’s actually a sacred part of your journey.

I call it the Void, and it’s like a great cosmic reset button.

It usually happens after deep healing or transformation. Suddenly, life gets quiet. The signs, synchronicities, and spiritual guidance that used to feel so clear may seem to vanish.

It can feel disorienting - like all the doors have closed.

But this phase isn’t about punishment or loss. It’s about rest. Integration. Listening deeply to yourself.

Think of a caterpillar in its chrysalis.

On the outside, it looks like nothing is happening.

But inside, profound transformation is taking place.

If you’re in the Void, you don’t need to “fix” anything. You just need to be - to trust that stillness is part of the process.

The Hidden Root of Stuckness: Trauma

Now, let’s go deeper.

Why do we resist change? Why do we stay small when our soul is begging us to expand?

Often, it comes back to trauma.

Early experiences - especially painful ones - teach our bodies that change equals danger.

So when we face the unknown, our nervous system clamps down, trying to keep us safe.

It’s not laziness or lack of willpower. It’s your body doing what it knows best: protecting you from pain.

This is why compassion is essential. You can’t bully or shame yourself into growth. You must meet yourself with gentleness as you untangle those old protective patterns.

Finding your Way Forward

Here’s a practice to help you discover which type of stuckness you’re facing:

1. Sit quietly, close your eyes, and breathe deeply until you feel calm.

2. Ask yourself, slowly and clearly:

• Am I feeling stuck because I’ve outgrown my life?

• Am I feeling stuck because I’m off my soul’s path?

• Am I feeling stuck because I’m in The Void?

3. Listen - not with your mind, but with your body.

   Notice the sensations that arise. Your intuition will speak if you allow it.

Most of us already know deep down what’s really going on. This exercise just helps bring that inner knowing to the surface.

The Power of Small Steps

Once you have clarity, it’s time to take action.

This doesn’t mean making huge, terrifying leaps overnight. In fact, baby steps are best - especially if your nervous system is used to resisting change.

• If you want to change careers, maybe start by updating your resume or taking one class in a field that excites you.

• If you feel stuck in a relationship, start by having one honest conversation about your needs.

• If you feel directionless, follow a simple curiosity - read that book, sign up for that workshop, try that hobby.

Each small step builds confidence and signals safety to your body, slowly making bigger changes possible.

You Are Not Stuck

Feeling stuck is a natural part of the spiritual journey.

It doesn’t mean you’re broken or failing. It’s simply a sign that something deep within you is shifting - whether you’re outgrowing your current life, realigning with your soul’s path, or resting in the Void.

Your soul always knows the way forward.

Your only job is to slow down, listen, and take the next small, courageous step.

Because no matter how stuck you feel, you are never truly trapped.

You are growing, expanding, becoming - one moment, one choice at a time.