Sometimes we get stuck or feel stuck, and we need to learn how to move forward. One way to overcome your feeling of being stuck is to learn how to detach from the past. Our brains have a built-in way of shutting down to protect us from stressful situations, but it can interfere with the things we need to do. Fortunately, it is possible to get moving again by taking small steps. (Also Read: Common Mistakes in Leadership)
Strategies to move forward
Whether you are feeling frozen because of a lack of direction or because you feel as though you’ve hit a wall, there are ways to get unstuck and get moving. The first step to getting unstuck is to identify the cause of your feelings. Once you know the cause, you can narrow your strategies.
One way to get unstuck is to break down the task into smaller parts. By breaking down the task into small parts, you will be able to stay focused and stay present. This will help you feel more freedom. Another way to get unstuck is to take one small step at a time.
Many clients experience freezing at a time when they are facing a dangerous situation. This is a natural reaction that helps them survive. However, it is important to remember that freezing is not a choice; it is a survival strategy. When working with trauma clients, it is important to respect their boundaries and work at a slow, gentle pace. Working too quickly may cause dissociation and dysregulation.
One of the best ways to move forward when you feel frozen is to reach out to a support group. Often, people who experience the same thing as you do can share strategies and advice. Ask your doctor to recommend a group, or search online to find one in your area. Some are peer-led, while others are moderated by a mental health professional.
Identify the root cause of your feelings.
Identifying the root cause of your feelings of being frozen is important in order to help you work through this emotional response. Your body’s freeze mode was developed to protect you from harm, but it’s no longer serving you. For example, if you were raised in an emotionally unavailable or violent household, you likely did not feel confident standing up for yourself. As a result, you may shy away from attention, feeling anxious.
The freeze response is a natural human response. It helps us slow down and appraise a situation. However, it can also be unhealthy as it causes us to dissociate from reality. This dissociation can leave us feeling detached and frozen. This can leave us feeling numb, unable to react appropriately. People who have experienced trauma often experience this reaction. However, freezing is not a condition limited to trauma survivors. It can happen to anyone, and it can be triggered by a stressful situation or a person.
Research on the brain’s freezing response has revealed that human brain structures resemble those in animals. Recent fMRI studies have suggested that brain structures in the amygdala and PAG are associated with freezing. These circuits are also linked to the ventromedial and lateral PFC, which are involved in controlling emotions and are connected to the ventromedial and lateral PFC.
People who feel trapped in situations that cause them to freeze should remember that their bodies cannot control their responses to danger. Their bodies are trying to protect them, and it is not their fault. If you feel like you can’t take control of the situation, you can seek help from a professional.
Research shows that freezing is a result of a range of hormones and emotions. The hormones oxytocin and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) are known to affect the freezing response. Both of these hormones stop the body from making other hormones that help control emotions, such as freezing.
Let go of the past.
One of the most powerful ways to let go of the past is to create a vision of the future. This will give you energy, distraction, and excitement. It will also allow you to focus on something else. For example, you can create a vision of a better job for yourself. You may want to hire a personal trainer to help you with this.
It can be difficult to let go of the past, especially when you are still hurting from it. Thankfully, there are many ways to get over these painful experiences. For example, you can learn self-compassion and mindfulness or go to therapy to deal with feelings that haven’t been dealt with.
Another effective way to let go is to think about the good times. Thinking about your childhood memories and reminiscing about them can help you feel nostalgic and energized. However, clinging to the past can be damaging. If you feel a lack of enthusiasm and are unable to get excited about life, this may be a sign that you are clinging to the past. You may be holding on to a past relationship, or you may be holding on to limiting beliefs you learned in childhood.
Practice this advice and move forward. (You may also read: 9 Leadership Lessons to Learn From Elon Musk)
