How to Become Unstuck: Transforming Life's No's into Empowering Beginnings
Discovering the courage to let go and build resilience through shared experiences and support.
This is in response to the letter titled “How To Get Unstuck” in the book “Tiny Beautiful Things.” These are my own thoughts and how you can apply this lesson to your own life.
This particular advice column in “Tiny Beautiful Things” was one I could really relate to. My situation was not like “Stuck’s”, but it was a chapter in my life that left me feeling the same exact way Stuck felt. I had a clear and strong vision of what I wanted, what would be my happily ever after. So much so, that in the process of trying to make this into my reality, I would sometimes think of the what ifs…what if this doesn’t happen for me? —— and the thought of that alone would spark up a fountain of anxiety and tightness in my chest. NO. It has to happen for me because I am literally incapable of being sincerely happy without it. I could NOT imagine life without this element in my life.
Time To Let Go
This “element” in my life I wanted with every ounce of me did not happen. It has been two years since I closed the door on it. But I did so, with love and gratitude, not anger or tears. While it took a lot out of me during the journey, I eventually started reaching out to others going through a similar situation as me. I also reached out to people that could offer me support for my particular situation. I learned that sometimes the pain can also be what gives us our strength and resilience to become more aligned with our true purpose in life.
Standing Up And Reaching Out
When you’re feeling stuck in anger, anxiety, or sadness, you’re very likely to remain in it for a long time because no one around you is able to completely relate to you, or understand your grief the way you do. But all this does is shut down each component of our soul, one by one. We start dying emotionally. We become numb. It’s a dark place to be in. And here’s the kicker —— no one can save you, except yourself. Not your parent, best friend, nor your spouse. Just you. This is when you must find the courage to seek support from others who have been in your shoes before. They’ve been there too, but now they have upleveled out of it. They have shifted perspectives, understood their pain better, worked through it with grace. You need them.
Catch and Release
When we’re in pain or severely stuck in our lives, a heavy shield is created around us, making it difficult to put our pride aside. We assume that our pain is only ours, so we close up and become one with our pain day in, day out.
The key to break free from this stagnation is to reach out for support from those who have been where you are now. This will connect puzzle pieces together and form the wholeness in your heart that you had been missing for so long. You will be UN-STUCK.
Final Thoughts
“How To Get Unstuck” in Tiny Beautiful Things was so real and raw, which made it very easy to connect with. I think we’ve all experienced chapters of heavy sadness in our lives, and it’s extremely challenging to see the light when you’re in THAT dark of a place in your life. But, the light is always guaranteed. Sometimes the twists and turns will seem endless, but eventually you WILL have light back. When ready, turn the switch on…