MATT SCULT, PHD
  • Home
  • Therapy
  • Consulting
  • Writing & Press
    • Writing
    • Research
    • Speaking
    • Press Coverage
    • Blog
  • Contact

Feeling Stuck in Life? There Are Ways to Get Unstuck

1/9/2025

 
Picture
  • Feeling stuck in life is common, especially in your 20s and 30s.
  • Career struggles, relationship challenges, and unmet goals often contribute.
  • You can explore actionable strategies like clarifying your values, breaking down goals, and seeking support to build momentum.

Maybe your career isn’t where you thought it would be by now. Perhaps dating feels like an endless cycle of frustration. Or, life overall just isn’t what you envisioned for yourself at this stage. Maybe you feel like you've tried everything, but it just isn't working. The good news is there are therapy techniques that may be able to help.

If you find yourself thinking "I Feel Stuck in Life" here are some signs to look out for:


  • Lack of motivation: Everyday tasks feel overwhelming or pointless.
  • Frustration: You’re irritable or envious of others’ progress.
  • Overthinking: You’re caught in loops of “What if?” or “Why can’t I just…?”
  • Fear of change: Even though you’re unhappy, you’re unsure about trying something new.

Reasons You May Be Feeling Stuck

Common reasons include:
  1. Career dissatisfaction: You’re working hard, but you’re not where you want to be, feel lost, or you don’t know what’s next.

  2. Relationship challenges: Whether single or in a relationship, you feel like you're just unhappy or can't build the type of relationship you want.

  3. Unmet personal goals: It can feel like you're just not making progress or don't know where to start.

Ways to Get Unstuck

While what works is different for each person, here are some principles that generally can be helpful:

1. Clarify What Matters Most
Feeling stuck often comes from a disconnect between your actions and your values. Spend time reflecting on what truly matters to you—whether it’s creativity, connection, or stability—and look for ways to align your daily life with those values.



2. Head in the Right Direction
Big goals like “find my dream job” or “fall in love” can be too much all at once. Instead, focus on specific, actionable steps. For example, update your resume, reach out to a mentor, or schedule one new activity this month.


3. Challenge Limiting Beliefs
Feeling stuck is often tied to unhelpful thoughts like “I’m too old to start over” or “I’ll never meet the right person.” Challenge these beliefs by questioning their accuracy and reframing them into more empowering perspectives.



4. Build Momentum
Start with one area of your life where change feels possible. Success in small things can create a ripple effect, building confidence and energy to tackle larger goals.



5. Seek Support
You don’t have to do it alone. Therapy can be a space to clarify your goals, learn new skills, and build the confidence to move forward.



Taking the Next Step

Feeling stuck in your 20s or 30s is a common experience of many of my clients. By clarifying your values, breaking goals into smaller steps, and making shifts in your perspective, you can build momentum toward the life you want.

I specialize in helping men in their 20s and 30s who feel stuck in their careers or relationships and need new tools to move forward. If this resonates with you, let’s talk about how we can work together.

Schedule a Free Consultation to learn more.

How Can Therapy Help with Dating Stress?

1/4/2025

 
Picture
Many people are over it when it comes to online dating. The addictive swiping, the constant need to come up with things to say, and uncertainty about intentions often leave people feeling drained. Therapy can help you manage this uncertainty, approach dating with greater intention, and feel more confident and in control of the process.

What Is Dating Stress?

Dating stress refers to the anxiety, frustration, or emotional exhaustion that can arise from trying to find a meaningful connection in today’s digital dating world, especially with the use of dating apps. Common experiences include:
  • Fear of rejection.
  • Feeling burned out from constant app usage.
  • Overanalyzing texts or interactions.
  • Comparing yourself to others.
  • Doubting your self-worth.
If any of this resonates with you, you’re not alone—and therapy can help manage some of this distress.

How Therapy Can Help

Therapy offers a space to explore your dating frustrations, identify changes you can make, and develop strategies to get what you want.

1. Building Confidence in Yourself

A therapist can help:
  • Challenge negative self-talk and build self-compassion.
  • Clarify your values and identify what you truly want in a relationship.
  • Strengthen your self-esteem so that you are able to ride the ups and downs of dating

2. Better Cope with Rejection

Rejection is an inevitable part of dating, but that doesn't mean it's easy Therapy can help:
  • Reframe rejection as a normal, even necessary, part of the dating process.
  • Practice emotional regulation techniques to manage feelings of hurt or disappointment.
  • Focus on what’s in your control and let go of what isn’t.

3. Create Healthy Dating Habits

It’s easy to fall into patterns that lead to burnout, like endless swiping or overanalyzing every message. Therapy can guide you to:
  • Set boundaries around your app usage to protect your mental health.
  • Approach dating with mindfulness and intentionality.
  • Balance dating with other areas of your life to avoid over-investing in the process.

4. Address Underlying Issues

Sometimes, dating stress is linked to common mental health concerns, such as:
  • Social anxiety.
  • Depression.
  • A history of trauma.

A therapist can help treat these mental health issues, giving you a stronger foundation for building healthy connections.

Getting Help

If dating feels more draining than fulfilling, or if it’s significantly impacting your self-esteem or mental health, therapy can be a valuable resource. Therapy can help you approach dating with confidence, resilience, and a renewed sense of purpose.

If you'd like to learn more, feel free to reach out for a free consultation to see if working together might be a good fit.

    Archives

    February 2025
    January 2025
    December 2024
    November 2024
    October 2024
    August 2024
    July 2024
    June 2024
    May 2024
    October 2023

    RSS Feed