We all get stuck sometimes. Stuck in our negative thoughts. Stuck in our old patterns that no longer serve us. And, literally being stuck to the couch. Stuck on 90s Netflix reruns.
Why do we get stuck? We all have our own reasons, our own stories that give us permission to be stuck. I used to be the girl who would really bitch at myself for my more sticky moments. I would bully myself into movement, only to find myself right back where I started. Now, I check-in before I make any moves. Sometimes we need that permission as chronic over-achievers. Sometimes what we really do need is to sit for awhile in one place (literally or metaphorically) to find ourselves again when life starts to get a bit too wild.
But when it becomes dangerous is when we choose to stay stuck in that place for too long. You know the feeling- the gratuitous self-victimizing where we’re stuck because we just don’t wanna deal. Where we know it’s time to act, but the couch is just way more welcoming than whatever it is we’re hiding from.
You make a choice. Staying stuck is a choice, so take responsibility for that choice. Or… you decide that stickiness is for suckers (ha!) and that as a grown-ass woman you’re ready to try something different. You can do this in a number of ways, but one of the most effective ways is so simple it’s a bit ridiculous.
Flail your limbs around like a small child and scream if you want. Put on some Beyonce and get your flawless on {PRO TIP: Grown Woman is a great track for busting up stickiness}. Whatever makes you sweat. I have a friend who insists you can’t be sad when you’re trying to shake every part of your body at the same time (try it- tell me if she’s right!).
Monday, I was in a real woe is me mood. After roiling in my own teenage-y angst, I laced up my dusty runners and hit the pavement. And I’m not gonna lie- it sucked. My body is not made to swiftly bound through the streets- it feels more like pushing a full wheelbarrow through gravel. Grandmas effortlessly pass me on the paths, giving me looks suggesting I seek immediate medical assistance. In short- I’m a hot (red-faced) mess.
So why do I do this to myself? Because I know that this shit pays huge dividends. I got back to the house and I was on fire! I easily tackled that work project that I’d been avoiding for a week, I banged out a few emails that I’d been procrastinating on, and I cooked up some magic in the kitchen.
And all this with a BIG, BEAMING SMILE on my face. Because I was kicking ass, my friends.
And the next day when I caught myself sinking into another sticky funk, I got on my bike (yay spring) and sweat it out. The change was so remarkable that a friend commented on my RADIANCE. Radiance people! This shit is for real!
So the next time you’re slipping into stuckness, how are you going to move your body and shimmy your way out of there? Let me know in the comments!
xo,
Jo
Jo! SOOO love this post! Totally agree and thanks for the reminder!
Thanks Michelle! Glad it resonated 🙂
Love this post girlfriend! xo
Thanks Kel! xox
Jo – when did that beautiful little girl that I used to adore become so damn smart? I’m a 47 year old woman who I thought was supposed to have so much to teach you and yet…sadly…youre my inspiration! I am SO damn proud of you! You go Jo! And because of this post I’m going to try to become unstuck. I lost my job last week which has been all too consuming for too many years so it’s time! Love you.
Aww Tanya! Thanks for the heaps of love- it melts my heart. And wow! So much movement in your life these days. But holy shit- I’m getting goosebumps just thinking about what kind of life you’re going to create next. I’ve been witnessing your transformation over the past few years and I truly KNOW that your life is blossoming and ALL of this change only makes sense- everything that no longer fits has to go. And with shifts comes stagnation- we are in a constant state of compression (stuck-ness) and expansion. Embrace it! Take divine care of yourself right now and watch the Universe unfold in front of you with new opportunities. It’s gonna be amazing. THIS IS GOING TO BE GOOD. I love you, and I’m here for you. You got this.