The quiet weight of feeling ‘stuck’.
There are times in life when one can feel as if they are standing still while the rest of the world around them continues to move. It may not be an overwhelming sensation or even obvious to others but just a quiet, persistent sense of being disconnected from a feeling of any progress. One might describe the sensation as foggy, heavy, or numb and it may not always be clear as to why. Things on the outside might appear perfectly fine, even good, but something inside feels knotted.
Feeling stuck can look different for every situation and person. For some, it may show up as creative blocks, decision paralysis, or a deep tiredness that doesn’t seem to lift. It could also be a vague restlessness and frustration, sensing a need for change but unsure of what or how. There can be a sense of guilt and shame when sitting in this space, especially when one believes they should be moving forward but can’t quite seem to. But rather this being a sign of failure or needing correction, it could be a moment asking for attention—a gentle invitation to look inwards.
The Liminal Space Between What Was and What’s Becoming
Feeling stuck often arises when the way one is living or the situation they are in no longer aligns with who they are becoming. The once familiar routines, relationships, or roles may no longer feel right and leave you with a sense of heaviness. However, the new chapter may just be unfolding, taking form and arriving. This in-between space, where the old is fading and the new is still becoming can feel unsettling, uncomfortable and overwhelming. Though it may feel like an obstacle, it is often a hidden phase of transition that is required for us to move towards what we really need.
I received a challenging medical diagnosis last year and found myself navigating a long treatment journey. It was difficult to count the amount of times I felt stuck and like everything was suspended in uncertainty.
The stuckness also looked and felt different each time. Sometimes it appeared as sadness, frustration, exhaustion, or the anxiety of not knowing what came next. Looking back at my harder days, I can see that even in those moments of stagnancy and discomfort, something was quietly unfolding. It reminded me that movement can happen beneath the surface long before we recognise it. I am still adjusting to a different way of living that my condition has pushed me towards but in that process I am learning to be gentler with myself, especially on the days when progress feels slow or invisible.
“Liminal spaces are the soft edges between what was and what’s becoming—
a hazy space where clarity pauses, and quiet transformation begins.”
Creative expression and exploration can offer an unexpected way to navigate this liminal space and it doesn’t require artistic skills or talents. Through drawing, movement, sound, or writing, one can begin to explore the stuckness that has been difficult to grasp. A scribble, a gesture, or a line of poetry can hold emotions that don’t necessarily make sense. In this process, pushing oneself to arrive at clear answers can be unhelpful as it narrows and restricts one’s view, when in most situations the simple act of making space for the stuckness can allow for the deeper truths & insights to reveal itself naturally.
I also often come across the misconception that progress needs to be constant and visible for it to be valid or working. But life seldom moves in a straight line. It spirals, bounces, pauses and meanders. Hence, rest, confusion, and even resistance become an inevitable part of the process. Through creative means one can learn to move with it’s rhythm with curiosity and self-compassion.
When Stillness Begins to Move
It is okay to feel stuck and is a natural part of living. When one allows the stuckness to speak, be heard and seen, one can then listen to what it is calling for. This kind of listening can be slow, and a process that lends itself to gentleness.
Eventually, a sense of movement will come back. Not always in grand gestures, but in seemingly small ways. It may be through breaths that needed exhaling, an cathartic paint stroke, a poem of words that makes sense only to the writer. And from there, one step and another.
When the quiet weight of feeling stuck lifts little by little, what once felt like a standstill will begin to loosen. And what once felt like a huge hurdle may begin to feel like a space of possibility and hope. Movement comes, not when it is forced, but when it is acknowledged and ready. And without realising it, one may find they have started moving again, not in the way they once did but in a way that works better for them in their new chapter.
A Creative Invitation
If you are feeling stuck, you might like to consider carving out ten quiet minutes today to express it through some art-making. Sometimes putting things to action can help make more sense of what’s written. When delving into the process I invite you not to try fix the stuckness, but to simply let it be seen. This is oftentimes where the shift can begin.
Creative Journaling Prompt —
1~ What does ‘being stuck’ feel like in my body right now? Create an image with whatever materials you feel drawn to.
2~ Witnessing the image that you have created, what words/messages do you imagine it saying to you? Write them down intuitively, even if they don’t seem to make much sense in the beginning.
3~ Take a moment to take in what has arrived on your page. Are there any insights these words/messages may be sharing with you?
If you enjoyed the prompt and or are seeking a deeper exploration with more guidance, I offer both online & in-person arts therapy sessions. If you would like to discuss first how I can support you with your goals, you can book a free 30 minute discovery call with me or message me with any questions you have.
Sylvia x
