In the last couple of years I found myself stuck a lot. My life appeared empty — other than the humdrum of the day to day living, nothing was happening. I guess I did what Buddhism specifically warns one not to do — I’ve got fascinated by emptiness. I made it into a thing, a part of my identity, I made it real.

Or — another perspective — I needed to slow down and hit the reset button big time. I needed to let go of ideas and concepts that were not mine. Perhaps, my soul went on a strike, not allowing me to go back to the old ways.

In any case, having been stuck a lot, I had to find ways to get unstuck. It all has to do with energy and that means your thoughts and feelings. I am sharing them below, and if you are currently stuck, take heart, everything is cyclical and this will be over. Ready to flip a perspective and get your life force flowing again? 😉

Here is how to get unstuck:

1. Journal it out ✍️

Journalling is like free one-on-one therapy. Take a blank piece of paper and empty your mind onto it. Do it on paper ideally, because your brain likes it better. The frequency is up to you, I had periods where I journalled every day. There are journalling online circles and there is a famous book by Julia Cameron on how to do it. Journalling helps get a perspective on why you’re stuck and start figuring out how to get out of it.

2. Sleep, move, nourish yourself ♥️

Your body is a temple, and if you don’t look after it, you can’t have the levels of energy required to make changes in your life. Eating well and healthy, moving regularly, and having a sleeping regimen is very important to getting unstuck. If you don’t get these physical basics right, you cannot move forward.

3. Meditate regularly, practice 🧘🏻‍♀️

This one is very important. Every time I get triggered and become reactive, or not mindful, is when I become complacent with my practice and stop meditating daily. I practice mindfulness daily so that when I need to be mindful, it’ll be easier for me to be so. And of course, meditation often yields insight and so might lead you to the realisation as to why you’re stuck and what you need to do next to become unstuck.

4. Systemise, structure, algorithm whatever you are stuck with 📈

If you are a type A personality and love to organise things, aka are terrified of uncertainty, apply your organisation skills to getting yourself out of being stuck. If you love diagrams, draw a diagram of your life journey so far and your options. If you love processes, create a process. Structure and schedule yourself out of emptiness. The added bonus is that you will likely have fun doing so 😊

5. Gamify it, don’t make it serious, find fun 🎡

A big problem with being an organised, structured and responsible person is that we often take things personally and seriously. Too seriously.

I don’t know how you do it, but you need to chill. Usually that means giving up or surrendering the structure, the concepts, the but’s and what if’s. Be spontaneous for once. Do something absurd that makes no sense. Go somewhere on a whim. Play like a child or do nothing.

The moment you relax and let go, the moment you see your stuckness with amusement rather than anxiety, the perspective will flip and things will likely start moving again.

6. Embrace the routine 📝

Sometimes we are at a stage in our lives where it is just empty. Not much is going on. This is just the cyclical nature of life. Contraction follows expansion. One way to fight against it is by filling your calendar with activities and events. The Universe has bias for action. And another way is to accept it and find little joys in your day to day. Embrace and learn to love the humdrum of being [LINK post on routine]

7. Do an embodiment practice – dance, sing, walk, do yoga, whirl 💃

Do something that your body likes and that helps it release stagnant energy. I like walking in nature and dancing, I often sing kirtan, I do yoga and when it gets really bad, I do dervish whirling. You may also try breathwork, sound healing (gong bath, shamanic drums or crystal bowls), or good old sport.

8. Talk to people 📞

I am very fortunate to have a couple of friends who I can discuss mysteries of the universe, energy fields, healing, various spiritual practices, and so on with. They call me when they need support and I call them when I am stuck or trying to figure something out. Their perspective is usually different to mine and helps me see things from a new angle. And it’s a basic rule of mental health – to talk it out when you are struggling.

Above all else, love yourself, be gentle with yourself. This period will be over before you know it. Use it to grow, to heal, to learn. Light and love, huh ❤️