Ever Felt Like You Are Stuck in the Wrong Life?
Have you ever looked around and thought, How did I end up here? You may have followed the path you were told would lead to happiness — whether it was climbing the corporate ladder, raising a family, or staying in a relationship that made sense on paper — but deep inside, something doesn’t feel quite right. You feel stuck, unfulfilled, and disconnected from your true self. It’s as if you’re living someone else’s life.
If you’ve ever felt this way, you’re not alone. Many people find themselves in this space, stuck in a life that doesn’t feel like it’s truly theirs. Whether it’s a job that leaves you drained, a relationship that no longer sparks joy, or a lifestyle that feels empty, the feeling of being stuck is all too common. But here’s the good news: You don’t have to stay stuck. You can break free and start living a life that feels expansive, purposeful, and aligned with who you truly are — a life that I like to call your Big Life.
Why You Feel Stuck in the First Place
Before we explore how to break free, it’s essential to understand why you might feel stuck in the first place. Often, it’s not that one thing is “wrong,” but that a variety of factors have pulled you away from your true path. Here are some of the most common reasons people find themselves stuck in lives that no longer resonate with them:
1. Living According to Others’ Expectations
From a young age, we are influenced by societal expectations, family values, and cultural norms. These forces shape our decisions, sometimes without us even realising it. Perhaps you chose a career because it was expected of you or stayed in a relationship because it was the “right” thing to do. While well-intentioned, these decisions can disconnect you from your authentic desires. Over time, living according to others’ expectations instead of your own can leave you feeling like a stranger in your own life.
2. Fear of Change
Change can be terrifying, especially when it involves letting go of something familiar. Even when you know you’re stuck in a life that doesn’t make you happy, the fear of the unknown can keep you from making the necessary changes. You might ask yourself, What if things get worse? What if I fail? What if I lose what I already have? This fear can be paralysing, keeping you locked in a life that no longer serves you.
3. Unhealed Emotional Wounds
Sometimes, the feeling of being stuck has deeper roots — unhealed emotional wounds from the past. Trauma, loss, or unresolved pain can create patterns of behaviour and limiting beliefs that keep you from stepping into the life you truly desire. These wounds can lead to feelings of unworthiness, fear of rejection, or self-sabotage, making it difficult to make the changes necessary for living your big life.
4. Disconnection from Your Authentic Self
As life progresses, many of us lose touch with our authentic selves. You may have started out knowing what you wanted, but over time, the demands of adulthood — career, relationships, family, and societal pressures — pull you away from your true desires. When you’re disconnected from your core values, passions, and dreams, it’s easy to find yourself feeling stuck in a life that doesn’t feel like your own.
5. The Need for Safety and Sacrificing True Desires
One of the most common reasons people feel stuck is the tension between their desire for safety and their true passions. Many of us are conditioned to prioritise stability — whether it’s a secure job, financial comfort, or staying in familiar situations — over pursuing our deeper desires. This need for safety often leads us to settle for careers, relationships, or lifestyles that feel “safe” but lack fulfillment. You might stay in a job that pays the bills but drains your soul, or remain in a relationship because it feels familiar, even though it no longer nurtures you. While safety is a legitimate need, it’s essential to recognise when the pursuit of it is costing you your happiness and authenticity. When we cling too tightly to security, we can end up sacrificing our dreams, desires, and the opportunity to live a life that feels meaningful and expansive. True freedom comes from balancing the need for security with the courage to step into the unknown and pursue what truly lights us up.
The High Cost of Staying Stuck
It’s important to recognise that staying stuck in a life that doesn’t feel right has a high cost — emotionally, mentally, and even physically. The longer you remain disconnected from your true self, the more likely you are to experience stress, anxiety, or even depression. You may start to numb yourself with distractions like social media, excessive work, or unhealthy habits just to get through the day.
But perhaps the most significant cost of staying stuck is the loss of time. Every day spent living a life that doesn’t feel true to who you are is a day you lose the opportunity to live a life filled with purpose, joy, and fulfillment. The price of staying stuck is the time and energy you could be investing in creating your big life.
How to Break Free and Live Your Big Life
Breaking free from a life that feels wrong isn’t an overnight process, but it is entirely possible. With commitment, courage, and the right strategies, you can start making the changes necessary to live the life you were meant to live — a life that is fulfilling, joyful, and aligned with your true self. Here’s how to get started:
1. Reconnect with Your Inner Voice
The first step to breaking free from a life that doesn’t feel like yours is to reconnect with your inner voice — the part of you that knows what you truly want and need. This can be difficult because, over time, we often drown out that voice with external noise: societal expectations, other people’s opinions, and our own fears.
To start reconnecting, take time for self-reflection. Create space for quiet moments where you can listen to your intuition and inner desires. Journaling is a powerful tool for this process. Ask yourself:
- What makes me feel alive?
- When do I feel most like myself?
- What dreams or passions have I been suppressing?
These questions can help you start to peel back the layers and rediscover the parts of yourself that may have been lost along the way.
2. Identify Your Limiting Beliefs
Limiting beliefs are the subconscious thoughts that hold you back from living the life you truly desire. These beliefs often stem from past experiences, cultural conditioning, or fears of failure. For example, you might believe that you’re not talented enough to pursue your dream career, that it’s too late to make a major life change, or that you don’t deserve happiness.
To break free, it’s crucial to identify and challenge these limiting beliefs. One effective exercise is to write down the negative thoughts you have about yourself or your future. Then, for each belief, ask yourself:
- Is this belief based on fact, or is it a story I’ve been telling myself?
- What evidence do I have that contradicts this belief?
By challenging and reframing these beliefs, you can start to shift your mindset and open yourself up to new possibilities.
3. Set Clear Boundaries
Another key to breaking free is setting boundaries. Often, we stay stuck in situations that drain us — whether it’s a job, relationship, or social expectation — because we don’t have clear boundaries in place. Setting boundaries means creating space for yourself to prioritise your needs, desires, and well-being.
This might mean saying “no” to things that no longer serve you, even if it’s uncomfortable at first. It might mean setting limits with people who drain your energy or making time for activities that nourish your soul. Setting boundaries is an essential part of creating a life that aligns with who you are.
4. Take Small, Courageous Steps
Once you’ve gained clarity on what you want and dismantled some of the limiting beliefs holding you back, it’s time to take action. However, the idea of making significant life changes can feel overwhelming. That’s why it’s important to start small.
You don’t need to quit your job or make drastic changes overnight. Instead, begin with small, courageous steps that move you toward your vision of your big life. For example, if you’ve always dreamed of writing a book, start by setting aside 30 minutes each day to write. If you’re unhappy in your current relationship, begin by having an open and honest conversation with your partner.
Each small action will build momentum and help you gain confidence. Over time, these small steps will lead to more significant changes, and before you know it, you’ll be well on your way to living the life you’ve always dreamed of.
5. Surround Yourself with Support
As you make changes in your life, it’s crucial to surround yourself with people who support and uplift you. This might mean finding a coach, mentor, or supportive community that encourages you to pursue your big life. These relationships can provide you with guidance, accountability, and encouragement when things get tough.
If you find that certain people in your life are holding you back or reinforcing your limiting beliefs, it may be necessary to distance yourself from them, at least temporarily. Creating a positive, growth-oriented environment is essential for long-term success.
6. Create a Vision for Your Future
One of the most powerful ways to stay motivated and focused on your journey is to create a clear vision for your future. Take time to imagine your ideal life in vivid detail. What does it look like? How do you feel? What kind of work are you doing? Who are you surrounded by? The clearer your vision, the easier it will be to make decisions that align with your desired future.
Consider creating a vision board or writing a detailed description of your future life. Revisit this vision regularly to remind yourself of where you’re headed and why you’re taking these courageous steps toward change.
7. Practice Self-Compassion and Patience
Finally, it’s important to remember that breaking free from a life that feels wrong is a process. It won’t happen overnight, and there will likely be challenges along the way. Be kind to yourself throughout this journey. Practice self-compassion and give yourself grace when things don’t go perfectly.
Living your big life isn’t about perfection; it’s about authenticity. It’s about taking ownership of your life, making choices that align with your values, and being brave enough to pursue the things that matter most to you.
Your Big Life Is Waiting for You
If you’ve been feeling stuck, disconnected, or unfulfilled, know that you don’t have to stay in that place. You have the power to break free and start living the life you’ve always dreamed of — a life that is joyful, expansive, and deeply aligned with who you are.
It starts with reconnecting to your true self, challenging the beliefs that hold you back, and taking small, courageous steps toward your future. Surround yourself with support, create a vision for your life, and embrace the journey with patience and self-compassion. Your big life is waiting for you — are you ready to step into it?
If you’re ready to break free from the life that no longer fulfills you and start living your big life, my Vision program is the perfect starting point. This month-long program is designed to help you gain clarity on what truly matters to you and create a powerful, actionable vision for your future. Through guided exercises, self-reflection, and coaching, Vision will support you in reconnecting with your authentic desires, identifying the blocks that are holding you back, and setting a clear course toward the life you’ve always wanted. You don’t have to stay stuck — this is your opportunity to take the first step toward a life filled with purpose, joy, and alignment. Your big life is waiting, and Vision will help you see the path to it clearly. Let’s begin this transformative journey together.
Link to Vision is here: https://tr.ee/8ktfLrjycS
My Why is to be a catalyst for you to live your BIG life.
