Have you ever been stuck and not sure how to find your way out of it?

It could be a relationship, a job, a commitment, or a whole host of things. How does it happen? And perhaps more importantly, what can you do about it?

How does it happen?

As human beings we’ll always be victims of habit and circumstance. We are where we are because of a series of large, and small, events that are either within our own control or beyond them. We make choices and undergo the consequences; simple. Except what happens when the consequences begin to cease to bring the same enjoyment of outcome?

A date doesn’t provide that some buzz. A new project at work doesn’t inspire the same enthusiasm.

Is this simply experience or something that requires a shake-up?

We’ve all persisted in relationships that should have been ended a while back; the familiarity and comfort stops us from doing something about it. The fear of starting again, learning new things and having to ‘reveal’ yourself again tends to inhibit our desire to change. But it’s necessary.

If something isn’t getting your all, when that Friday night doesn’t provide that same butterflies feeling, when that Monday morning brings a feeling of the mundane, it’s time for a change. You’re doing yourself, and others, a disservice if you willingly remain stuck in a situation that you no longer wish to be in.

So what can you do about it?

The first thing to do is to acknowledge it. Like with any problem, you need to identify that it’s an issue if you’re going to do anything about it.

And then don’t hide from it.

Attack it.

Identify what’s causing you to feel that way about it. Is it a temporary issue or something more established? Is it because of mindset or the situation? Have you got your eye on something – or someone – new and that’s taking a greater shine? Whatever it is, you need to think it out.

And then don’t hide from it.

If it’s relationship-based, it’s more than likely going to be a time-related issue. Sadly things begin to lose their sheen over time, but you need to discover something particularly important before you take any drastic steps.

Have you lost your sheen?

Are you a different version of yourself than when you first started the relationship? Are you a better version of the person you were at the start? If yes, then great. If no, then it’s time for some deeper introspective discovery about why.

If it’s work-based, it’s more than likely an experience-based issue. What was interesting at first, becomes mundane over time. Are you being challenged in your role or have you achieved everything that you can? Is there room for growth or promotion, or is the ceiling undeniably clear to you? Is the industry outgrowing you or are you outgrowing the industry?

Unfortunately with work, the necessity for money is always a factor. Starting again in a new field would be an incredibly straightforward decision if you could lift your current salary into a new role. Sadly that’s unlikely if you’re completely starting over.

We tend to stick where we are because we fear being too old to start again, but you’re likely a long way from retirement. Can you see yourself doing this for the next 20 or 30 years? If not, then do something about it now, otherwise you may end up looking to restart in another five or so years and you’ll be even worse off than now.

Take a look around. Ask questions of others within your own field. Reach out to others in new fields and see what it’s all about it.

We often view our current situation through the darker shades and see newer opportunities with rose-tinted glasses. It may not be all that it seems. But you owe it to yourself to find out.