Why You’re Feeling Stuck (and How to Start Moving Again)

Naming the Problem

Do you feel like you work hard but always end up in the same place—like the results never match your effort? Maybe you’ve told yourself, “It’s always like this,” or wondered why playing by the rules seems to backfire. You’re not alone. Many people feel stuck in a cycle of frustration, fighting against invisible barriers they can’t quite define.

You’ve tried working harder. You’ve tried doing things differently. You’ve even tried to act like others who seem to succeed with ease. But nothing changes. The truth is, it feels like the game is rigged against you.

Maybe you've found yourself in situations where you start out being accommodating and kind, only to have others overstep your boundaries, leaving you no choice but to push back hard. And then, once again, you’re left feeling like the "bad guy"—blamed or misunderstood. Or perhaps you feel like the way you naturally want to behave is "wrong," like you’re not allowed to be who you are if you want to succeed.

This experience can be exhausting. You’re stuck in an endless cycle, doing everything right by the world’s standards but getting nowhere closer to what you actually want. And each time you fail to see progress, the hopelessness grows. You begin to wonder: “Is there something wrong with me?”

Why You’re Stuck: A Hidden Root Cause

Here’s what’s really happening: you’re not broken, and there’s nothing wrong with you. The real reason you’re stuck is because you’ve been taught to suppress parts of yourself—traits that are deeply yours, that define your genius. Over the years, you’ve internalized the message that those parts of you are not good enough, not acceptable, or are somehow “wrong.”

These traits might be things like being “too emotional,” “too rigid,” “thinking too much,” or being “impulsive.” You’ve probably heard these criticisms so many times that you’ve begun to believe them. And in the process, you've learned to repress the very things that make you you—the things that could be your greatest strengths if only they were used properly.

Imagine that part of you is like a muscle. Instead of developing and training it, you’ve been told to keep it hidden, and now, when you do use it, it’s untrained and awkward. It doesn't deliver the results you want—not because the trait itself is wrong, but because it hasn’t been nurtured or refined. When you live disconnected from your authentic self, it’s no wonder you feel stuck. You’re trying to play a game without using your full potential, and you’re holding back what makes you exceptional.

The Impact of Feeling Stuck

Feeling stuck doesn’t just impact your mood or motivation—it ripples through every part of your life:

Relationships: Your relationships often feel shallow because you’re not fully showing up as yourself. You’re constantly editing yourself to be more “acceptable,” more what others expect of you. But this leaves you feeling unseen and alone, even when surrounded by people.

Career: Professionally, you’re competent but rarely in your zone of genius. You get the job done, but you’re not thriving. You know there’s more inside of you, but it doesn’t come out, so you feel overlooked for opportunities. It’s like you’re running at half capacity, and people only see half of what you’re capable of.

Self-Confidence: Deep down, you feel torn. There’s an intuitive sense that you’re capable of so much more, that you’re exceptional. But each time you suppress who you are, that intuition is silenced, and you’re left doubting yourself. This endless questioning wears you down, draining your confidence and energy.

How to Start Moving Again

The first step to getting unstuck is awareness. I want you to reflect on this: What is the one thing people criticize about you that feels deeply true to who you are?

Think about it—maybe people say:

“You think too much.”
“You’re too emotional.”
“You’re too rigid.”
“Why do you care so much?”

What if the problem isn’t the trait itself, but rather how, when, or where it’s being used?

Imagine instead of viewing this trait as a flaw, you saw it as a strength waiting to be refined.

Here’s how you can start:

If you think too much: Instead of trying to stop overthinking altogether, ask yourself when that deep thinking serves you best. Perhaps your analysis is a gift when you’re solving a complex problem, but not when you’re trying to make a quick decision. The thinking isn’t wrong—it’s just about learning when to use it.

If you’re emotional: Your emotions are a powerful tool for connection, creativity, and empathy. When you’re an artist, an entrepreneur, or a leader, feeling deeply can help you relate to others, understand pain points, and create something that resonates. It’s not about silencing your emotions but about knowing how to channel them effectively.

If you’re rigid: Maybe you need structure. What if being “rigid” is actually about your strength in creating systems and plans? When the right structures are in place, you become flexible where it matters most. Instead of avoiding this trait, ask yourself: What structures are missing in my life that would allow me to thrive?

The key here is to reframe. Stop viewing this trait as a blanket problem. Instead, think of it as your modus operandi of genius—a core strength that just needs the right application to shine. Your authenticity is your key to getting unstuck, and learning how to use your unique traits with intention will transform the way you move through the world.

Why This Matters: Building Momentum

This step is all about clarifying your current resources—your innate strengths. The very things you’ve been criticized for are often the keys to unlocking your genius. Once you understand how to use these traits, they become assets, not obstacles. You start to reclaim your authenticity and, with it, your agency. This is the foundation for Perpetual Success—a success that is aligned with who you are and is sustainable over time.

You don’t have to change who you are to succeed. You just need to reconnect with your true self and learn how to use your natural traits in a way that works for you.

Conclusion: Motivation to Take Action

You are not broken, and you are not stuck forever. The very traits you’ve been taught to hide are the key to breaking free. Take the first step today: identify the one part of you that you’ve always felt was “too much” or “not enough” and consider how it could be your greatest strength. How could you use it, refine it, and make it work for you rather than against you?

When you do this, you’ll begin the journey to reclaiming your authenticity, your agency, and ultimately, your path to Perpetual Success.