Feeling Stuck in Life? How to Move Forward with Therapy
We all experience moments in life where everything feels... stuck. Like we’re treading water. I once worked with someone who paralleled this experience with the Greek myth of Sisyphus, who was condemned to eternally roll a boulder up a hill in the underworld, only for it to roll back down each time he neared the top. For my client, this comparison captured how his “stuckness” could feel exhausting, demotivating and even punishing at times. Sound familiar?
This feeling of being stuck can occur when you’re caught in repetitive thought loops, overwhelmed by indecision, or feel disconnected from your goals and the world around you. It can be frustrating, lonely, and at times even frightening - especially when you’re not quite sure why it’s happening or how to change it.
The good news? You’re not alone - and you don’t have to stay stuck. Therapy can offer a powerful route forward.
Why Do We Feel Stuck?
There’s no single reason people find themselves in a rut. For some, it’s a slow accumulation of stress or burnout. For others, it’s a sudden life change - a job loss, a breakup, becoming a parent - that shakes up their sense of self and direction.
Often, feeling stuck can stem from:
Unresolved past experiences that still impact your present
Fear of failure or fear of change
Perfectionism or unrealistic expectations of yourself
Low self-worth or a lack of self-trust
Difficulties in relationships or communication
Major life transitions or identity shifts
Internal conflict between what you want and what you think you should do
Whatever the cause, feeling stuck is rarely about a lack of effort or desire. In fact, many people in this space are trying very hard to feel better - reading the books, regularly journaling, talking to friends - and still not finding the shift they need.
How Therapy Can Help You Move Forward
Therapy creates a space entirely focused on you: your thoughts, your emotions, your experiences. It’s not about advice or quick fixes - it’s about helping you understand what’s going on under the surface and equipping you with the tools to move through it.
Here’s how therapy can support you in feeling unstuck:
Clarity: Sometimes, we’re too close to our own lives to see the patterns clearly. A therapist helps you make sense of what’s really going on - not just on the surface, but emotionally and psychologically too.
Insight: Therapy allows you to explore the beliefs and behaviours that might be keeping you stuck. You might discover that an old coping mechanism, a fear, or a past hurt is playing a bigger role than you realised.
A safe space to explore: Having a space where you can speak freely without fear of judgment can be deeply freeing - and often the first step toward meaningful change.
Tools for action: Once you have more clarity and insight, therapy supports you in developing strategies to move forward in a way that aligns with your values, your needs, and your pace.
Self-compassion and confidence: One of the most powerful outcomes of therapy is learning to treat yourself with more kindness and trust - essential ingredients for making empowered choices.
You're Not Broken — You're Human
Feeling stuck doesn’t mean you’ve failed or that you’re broken. It means you’re in a moment of pause, perhaps waiting to understand something more deeply before taking your next step. Therapy doesn’t have all the answers - but it does help you uncover your own.
If you're feeling stuck and unsure where to turn next, working with a therapist could be the beginning of the shift you're longing for.
There is a way through. And you don’t have to find it alone.
Ready to take the first step?
To learn more about our therapy services or to speak with someone about finding the right support for you, please contact us using our Contact Form or by emailing us at contact@roomfortherapy.co.uk