Feeling Stuck or Restless? Signs you May be Ready for a Fresh Start

By Christine Murray

Have you ever been in a season in your life where you felt stuck, restless, in need of a major change, or some combination of all of the above? I know I have!

I confess I've had times when I've texted a group of friends and said, "Is it normal to feel restless at this stage of life?" And I've spent my fair share of time Googling in search of answers to questions like, "What to do when you feel stuck?" or "How do you know when it's time to make a change?"

Having grappled with those questions myself, I know how confusing, frustrating, and challenging these restless seasons can be. These are often times when you start to feel like you’re not exactly where you want to be in life, or some part of your life isn't going very well—whether it's a job, a relationship, or just trying to sort through a new change in life—but you're not exactly sure where to go.

Because I know how uncomfortable, and yet also common, restless seasons are, today’s blog post focuses on some signs that you might be itching for a change in some aspect of your life, and then what you can do about it when those feelings come up. 

Oftentimes, these feelings can be opportunities to seek support, guidance, and an empathetic, compassionate presence to help you sort through these feelings and experiences. As a mental health professional, I know that working with a professional counselor or therapist can be very helpful during these times. And, if you start to feel really distressed about your feelings and experiences, just know that there are crisis resources available. You can visit our Other Resources page to find resources that might be helpful to you as you navigate feelings of being stuck. 

Signs You Might Be Ready for Change

Intuition and Gut Feelings: Sometimes, we just know. We may have an inner sense of knowing, an intuitive hunch, or just a gut feeling that something needs to change. It's normal to recognize on some level that we need change, but not know exactly what that change should be or if we're ready to make it for any number of reasons, such as financial resources or lack of clarity about what the change might look like. 

Exhausted All Options: Another sign can be that we’ve tried everything (or at least lots and lots of possible solutions), and nothing is helping us feel better about our current situation. For example, if you’re feeling stuck in your current job, maybe you've tried diving deep into new projects, connecting with different colleagues, seeking a promotion, or talking with your boss about changes. If every little change or tweak you've tried hasn’t worked out, it might be a sign that your current circumstances simply aren’t working for you anymore.

Lack of Growth: You may have stopped feeling like you're growing in your current situation. Maybe you’ve stopped learning, experiencing new things, or having new opportunities where you are now. Feeling like we're not growing anymore might be a sign that we're ready for a change.

Persistent Themes: You start to notice themes in daydreams or other ideas about what life might look like for you if your life was different. Perhaps you're feeling stuck living in your current city, and you start to find yourself getting excited about living somewhere else. You might find yourself looking up apartments or properties in another city, exploring things to do there, or even planning a visit. It’s natural to be curious about different ways of life, but if you find yourself coming around to the same theme or interests frequently, especially when combined with other feelings of restlessness, this might be a sign you’re being pulled in a new direction in life. 

Steps to Take When Feeling Restless

Sit with Your Feelings: Know that it's normal in life to have seasons of restlessness and even feeling stuck. Almost everyone has these feelings from time to time. Try to process these emotions without reacting immediately. You don’t have to make any sudden moves, and remind yourself that these are normal feelings that can come up throughout life.

Follow Your Attractions and Energy: Seek low-risk ways of exploring possible changes that pique your curiosity. For example, if you find yourself interested in starting a new business after working in a corporation for a long time, explore those interests in small, interesting ways, such as by listening to entrepreneurial podcasts or checking out small business books from your local library. Permit yourself to explore things that are pulling you and attracting you. Focus on moving toward a vision that is positive and exciting, rather than just moving away from something negative.

Seek Support and Guidance: You don't have to make changes and decisions alone. Ask trusted family members or friends for advice, seek information, and consider working with a counselor or coach. It can be extremely helpful to seek guidance from someone who has either been through similar changes or who has professional training to help people navigate these experiences. 

Move at Your Own Pace: Everyone’s different. Some people are quick to make decisions and move into new changes, whereas for others, it might take years of exploring. Remind yourself that you can go at your own pace. You don’t have to rush into any decisions or make changes before you're ready and feel confident about them. Often, decisions that are well-planned, fully explored, and navigated thoughtfully are much more likely to stick.

Conclusion

While times of feeling stuck or restless can be extremely frustrating and stressful, try to reframe them as a call or an invitation to explore the possibilities of your life. These feelings can help you move forward. Take time to explore and honor your feelings, see what they’re trying to tell you, and see what changes they might be leading you toward. Even when they can be uncomfortable, know that seasons of feeling stuck or restless might be helping you to grow, change, and move closer to living the fullest version of your life possible.