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Being stuck is like being in a dark hole. You want to climb out of it but can not see anything or find a rope or ladder. It overwhelms you with feelings of fear, anxiety, and confusion. The world seems to speed past while you stay exactly where you are. However, you realize the need to get out of your current situation, but you feel held back by an even stronger desire to do nothing to change your condition. 

 
The following soul-searching questions will help you understand why you’re feeling stuck: 

1. Are my expectations of myself too high? Reexamine your expectations of yourself. You can not do everything perfectly. In this case, it is normal to feel disappointed in yourself if you do not meet your expectations. 

• Still, you will steal your joy by comparing yourself to others and having lofty expectations that you think you are not enough. The depressed state that will follow will keep you stuck in a rut. 

2. What are my goals? Living without a purpose is one of the quickest ways to find yourself in a rut. You can not do anything if you have no sense of direction. Since you feel stuck, the only path to go is up. Here is how to achieve this. 

• Put up a vision board. For example, pin pictures and words of beautiful and inspiring things on the vision board. Make brief notes of goals you want to accomplish. They can be big or small. How will this help you? 
• Writing your goals is excellent, but it’s not enough. A vision board visually represents your goals, which makes them feel within reach. 
   

3. How much time do I spend daily on improving myself? Are you stuck because you are making no effort to expand your knowledge? Is there a skill you can learn? Think about it. You have so much time. For instance, consider the number of hours you spend on mind-numbing social media platforms. 

• Now think of how much of that time you could spend reading something. You enjoy learning a skill or a hobby. Pick one thing to do to improve yourself. Then stick with it and see how much progress you make. 

 
4. Do my friends motivate me? Do you choose your friends carefully? Whether in-person or virtually, the people we surround ourselves with significantly affect us more than we like to admit. The key? Expand your circle of friends. Still, look at your vision board and pick one goal on the board. 

• Now try to make a friend who is in that circle or knows people there. How will this help? Eventually, you will follow along with the tide, motivated to live the life of your dreams by surrounding yourself with like-minded people. 

5. How willing am I to step out of my comfort zone? When was the last time you did something that you found fascinating? Sometimes, it helps to get away for a while. Change your environment for a day or two. 

• Usually, we feel stuck because we are too comfortable with where we are physically in life. Do you want a new job? Apply. Do you want a relationship? Get out there. Do you want to travel? Go. 
• If you can not afford to go away or have the time, do something spontaneous, or you would not normally do. It helps to spice things up and get you out of your daily routine. 

6. Do I show gratitude for the things I enjoy? For example, gratitude lists can help us accomplish this. Write the things you are grateful for regularly, even the smallest.  

• You will find some good things that shine through your dark feelings. Tiny spots of light that brighten a dark hole. Even so, recognize and appreciate those bright moments. 

Remember, just because you feel trapped does not mean that you are. If you feel stuck, move. You are in control of your life. You are not stuck if you take what actions you can take right now. 

Finally, find what you truly want in life and get started. The more things you try, the more likely it will be for you to find your place in this world.