It’s a moment I often witness in therapy: a client pauses, exhales deeply, and says, “I just feel stuck.”
They’re not in crisis. They’re not falling apart. Yet something feels off—like life is moving, but they’re not quite in sync with it.
This sense of stuckness is more common than you might think. Many of the people I work with describe it as a foggy, disconnected feeling. On the surface, things may appear fine. Internally, though, there’s a quiet discomfort that’s hard to name.
Stuckness Isn’t a Problem to Fix—It’s a Signal to Listen To
Rather than viewing stuckness as something to eliminate, I encourage clients to see it as a signal. Often, it’s pointing to something important beneath the surface. A neglected value. A looping emotional pattern. A nervous system asking for rest or clarity.
Instead of rushing to “solve” the feeling, we slow down. We get curious.
Curiosity softens fear and opens space for insight. It allows us to ask:
- What’s feeling heavy right now?
- What’s missing or out of alignment?
- What do I need more (or less) of?
This approach is grounded in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), which emphasizes psychological flexibility and values-based living.
Exploring Emotional Patterns and Workability
In therapy, we gently explore what’s showing up emotionally—without judgment. We look at how current strategies are working (or not working) for your life. This is part of ACT’s concept of workability: Is this helping you move toward the life you want?
To support this process, we might use mindfulness practices, or body-based techniques to reconnect with the present moment. We may also map out values or use tools like the wellness wheel to assess different life domains. These practices help us understand the stuckness, rather than push past it.
Stuckness Often Precedes Growth
Interestingly, the experience of feeling stuck often comes just before a shift. It’s the pause before clarity. The discomfort before insight. In many cases, it’s a sign that something meaningful is trying to emerge.
Therapy offers a space to sit with that pause. Together, we gently untangle what’s underneath and move forward with intention.
You’re Not Alone in Feeling Stuck
If you’re feeling stuck, know that it’s a valid and workable place to begin. Therapy can help you reconnect with your values, understand emotional patterns, and move toward a life that feels more authentic and aligned.
If this resonates, I’d love to support you!
