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Breaking Free: How to Get Unstuck and Transform Your Life

Life has a way of making us feel stuck.

Jennifer McDougall
4 min readDec 14, 2024
Breaking Free: How to Get Unstuck and Transform Your Life
Photo by Tomas Tuma on Unsplash

Whether it’s a dead-end job, a toxic relationship, or a sense of unfulfilled potential, many of us have faced the gnawing frustration of knowing we’re capable of more but feeling trapped by our circumstances. The good news? Breaking free is possible. It requires clarity, courage, and actionable steps — but the transformation waiting on the other side is worth every ounce of effort.

In this article, we’ll explore the psychological and emotional roots of feeling stuck, backed by research, and provide practical steps to help you break free and create a life you love.

Why We Feel Stuck

Feeling stuck is often a symptom of deeper issues. According to psychologist Dr. Susan David, the author of Emotional Agility, being stuck frequently stems from a combination of fear, resistance to change, and avoidance of uncomfortable emotions. Here are some common reasons:

1. Fear of Failure

Many people stay in unfulfilling situations because the thought of trying and failing feels worse than the status quo. A study published in Psychological Science highlights that fear of failure activates the brain’s pain centers, making it a powerful deterrent.

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Jennifer McDougall
Jennifer McDougall

Written by Jennifer McDougall

Host of Life Refined podcast 🎙️ Personal Growth | Self-Improvement | Wellness 💡 Helping you level up your mindset & life. https://linktr.ee/jenmcdougall

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