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Tuesday, June 24, 2025

Plateau, Schmateau

When did you most recently feel stuck? How did you dislodge yourself?

How many expressions do you suppose there are for those times when we hit a wall of any kind? And what is the link between feeling stuck or hitting a wall and locating the needed motivation to get out of our own way? Have you ever known anyone who has escaped this human dilemma, no matter what it's called - running out of steam, trouble locating the mojo, being dried up, whatever? If you know such a person, would you introduce me, right away? In the meanwhile, nomenclature aside, what is your go-to strategy when this plagues you?  

Although it usually pleases me when any reader finds value in the suggestions made by other readers to questions I pose here, I'm feeling less generous today. I'm not looking for a magic bullet - per se - but given my current stasis, my awareness about the predictability of plateaus we all experience in life from time to time is not real useful to me. I want a practical strategy - preferably one I can implement the moment I read your comment - to help me jump-start the engine, get the juices flowing, unclog the pipes, etc. These past few days, my usual stuff - exercise, meditation, reading, playing guitar - has not gotten me off the starting block. 

I guess right now I'd welcome the flexibility to be able to kick my own ass.


6 comments:

  1. This is a great topic. I have no answers but, funny enough, in Ayurvedic medicine where food is medicine and postures are medicine--I know this from teaching yoga--when someone is stuck the asana prescribed is headstand. I've done it and it works. Literally gives a new perspective.

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    1. Regina; Since I've now moved into my third day of stuckness, I'd try a headstand if I thought I could avoid hurting myself while doing so. Thanks for the practical comment.

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  2. Maybe try doing something completely new or unusual for you. Read a book you'd never otherwise pick up, go see a new movie, sit in a restaurant you've never been to before and people watch. Just a few ideas.
    Similar to Regina's comment, it could give you a brand new perspective to do something out of the box.

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    1. Gina; Thanks for the practical suggestions. I especially like the people watching idea; might get me out of my own head.

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  3. Hey Pat. I like this post. Gets one thinking about things that maybe one doesn't want to think about. For me, aside from being able to kick my own ass - lol - I go to the 2 or 3 people I absolutely trust without any reservation for help, for guidance, for motivation. And then there's always the old standby - walk away from whatever it is that you're having difficulty with for a while. Take a break. And then go back when you start to feel better. It's simple but it also can work.
    Be well,
    Bob

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    1. Bob; Thanks for the practical suggestion about taking a break when I'm feeling stuck. The issue for me with that strategy is how the break can sometimes last long enough to create the self-inflicted wound of guilt.

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