How Feeling Stuck Leads to Breakthrough

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Do you feel stuck in your life right now — whether in one specific area or your life as a whole? What if I told you that even these moments of ‘stuckness’ are part of your growth and evolution?

I know how uncomfortable it can feel: the confusion, self-doubt, and loss of direction. It can be overwhelming and disheartening. One of the most pivotal times I felt this way was when I made the decision to leave my career in animation and gaming — a field I’d worked so hard (and accumulated a mountain of debt) to enter.

It was a scary, uncertain chapter that brought with it waves of self-judgment, shame, doubt, and fear. Yet, amidst all of that discomfort, I felt a deep inner calling to do something more meaningful — something that contributed value to others in a way beyond offering an enjoyable distraction.

Being a gamer at heart, I still find it helpful to view life through the lens of a video game.

There have been countless times I’ve had to replay the same level or reload at a checkpoint because I kept failing at a challenging part of the game. Sure, it was frustrating, but I didn’t throw in the towel or decide I was doomed to repeat that moment forever. Instead, I refined my approach, learned what I needed, and eventually found my way through.

Life is no different. Feeling stuck isn’t a sign of failure; it’s a checkpoint. It’s an opportunity to pause, reassess, and master the skills needed to move forward. Just as I wouldn’t give up on a game at a difficult level, I realized I couldn’t give up on myself in life either.

The challenge with life, however, is how often we get in our own heads about it. We repeat the story of how “lost” or “stuck” we are, convincing ourselves we’re spinning our wheels, when in reality, we’re simply navigating the process of self-discovery and figuring out the next step.

The truth is, life isn’t linear — it’s an upward spiral. Even when it feels like we’re reliving the same problems and going in circles, we’re actually become more aware in the process. We’re growing, evolving, and rising. These subtle transformations often go unnoticed in the moment because they’re happening beneath the surface, paving the way for external shifts to then take place.

In these seemingly stagnant periods, so much is happening internally:

• You’re asking bigger, more meaningful questions.

• You’re examining yourself and your life with greater depth.

• You’re learning from past experiences to build a brighter future.

• You’re gaining clarity on what you truly want.

• You’re dissolving inner blocks that have kept you from moving forward.

So, while feeling stuck may seem like a standstill, it’s anything but. It’s a powerful phase of inner transformation — a time to reconnect, recalibrate, and prepare for the next level in your life.

When you feel stuck, it’s often because you’re asking the universe to help you shift into something new — whether it’s stepping into a new identity, pursuing a different career, starting a new chapter in your life, or exploring a new passion.

The challenge arises when we struggle to trust the process. It’s easy to mistake this transitional phase for stagnation, judging ourselves harshly for not knowing the next step or for seemingly standing still.

But this stillness brings with it clarity. As James Clear has said, “Most people think they lack motivation when they really lack clarity.” Without a clear vision of where we’re headed, it’s natural to feel paralyzed, unsure of where to go or how to begin.

We may also fear being trapped in the same dissatisfying circumstances indefinitely, making the idea of change feel overwhelming. Yet this very discomfort can be a catalyst for transformation.

The key isn’t to force your way or try to ‘fix’ the stuck feeling, instead it’s to pause and shift your focus toward clarity. Ask yourself: What do I truly want? And if that’s hard to answer, then ask yourself: How do I want to feel?

When I was uncertain about my next career move, I didn’t have all the answers. But I knew how I wanted it to feel: expansive, fulfilling, and aligned with my values and passions. That vision eventually led me to becoming an entrepreneur, where I was able to create two businesses that allowed me to serve others in a way that felt meaningful and aligned with who I am.

Now, when I encounter the feeling of being stuck, I see it as a launching point. It’s an opportunity to ask deeper questions and lean into the uncertainty, trusting that clarity will come with time.

Because life and personal growth aren’t linear — they don’t always follow a steady, upward trajectory. More often than not, we experience setbacks to uncover our inner blocks, offering us the chance to overcome and release them.

These blocks can take many forms — limiting beliefs, self-doubt, unresolved fears, or even subconscious patterns that keep us playing small. Sometimes, we don’t even realize we’re holding onto these blocks until we’re forced to slow down and look within. This is exactly where growth happens.

By acknowledging these blocks and giving ourselves the space to explore them, we begin to understand what’s truly holding us back. The key is not to shy away from them, but to lean in, dig deeper, and ask ourselves:

What’s holding me back?

Are there fears, beliefs, patterns, or habits I need to release to step into the life I want?

We may have to face our fear of failure (or success), resolve our feelings of inadequacy, and confront the limiting beliefs and behaviors that hold us back. These internal blocks can make us feel stuck, as though progress is impossible. Facing them can feel uncomfortable, but it’s also the key to moving forward. When we resist or avoid these fears, we remain trapped in a cycle of stagnation. However, when we choose to acknowledge and challenge these barriers, we begin to break free.

By understanding that our true potential is only limited by the beliefs we hold about ourselves, we open the door to growth and breakthrough. As the saying goes, “The only limits that exist are the ones you place on yourself.” When we let go of these self-imposed limitations, we create the space needed to evolve into a more empowered version of ourselves.

Ultimately, feeling stuck isn’t the end of the road — it’s a signal. It’s an invitation to pause, reflect, refine your vision, and move past any invisible barriers that no longer serve you.

Embrace these moments as stepping stones toward a more expansive, aligned, and empowered version of yourself and your life. Even if the path ahead feels unclear, trust that beneath the surface, growth is unfolding in ways you may not yet recognize. It’s this process, this time of inner transformation, that is leading you toward greater awareness, clarity, and purpose.