Six Ways to Keep Moving When “Stuck” Approaches

This article goes hand in hand with one I wrote a few months ago called How to Keep Moving Through Your Grief.

In this article, I add some more thoughts to reinforce the value of moving through your grief so you don’t allow yourself to get stuck or bogged down.

Getting stuck while grieving worth the effort to try and avoid. If it does happen, step back and take a fresh look at what you can do or reach out for some help so you do keep moving.

It’s costly to get stuck or ignore grief when she comes knocking. Here are few of the perils of ignoring or trying to step around your grief.

The Perils of Ignoring your Grief

Depression and anxiety

Weakened cardiovascular system

Weakened immune system that impedes the much-needed strength to fight off disease and infection

Emergence of complicated or chronic grief with words like “I feel so stuck!”

Addictive behaviors such as overworking, compulsive shopping, overeating, abusing substances, gambling, overexercising, video game playing, and more.

Reoccurring illnesses

Decrease in workplace productivity

Emotional unavailability

Difficulty bonding with others

Unhappiness and loss of self-respect

Becoming aloof, passive, cold, controlling, coercive, cynical, suspicious, or angry

Quite to list! But these realities don’t need to your experience if you attend to your grief and ask others to help you along the way.

Six Ways to Keep Yourself Moving When “Stuck” Approaches

Let me give you six ways to both think and act so you can reduce your chances of getting stuck while grieving.

1.     Accept where you are and don’t wish you were somewhere else.

2.     Stop wishing you had someone else’s life.

3.     Write down five things you’re grateful for every day.

4.     Call in a favor from a friend who said, “Call if you need anything!”

5.     Write out some affirmation statements about who you want to be.

6.     Pick an idea from the following list and go do it.

• go for a walk

• take a nap

• draw a picture

• tidy up your room

• watch a movie

• eat your favorite meal,

• spend time cooking

• meditate

• go for a run

• write a letter

• watch a documentary

• take a shower or a bath

Quotes to Ponder

Ain't no shame in holding on to grief... as long as you make room for other things too. — Bubbles

When things do not go your way, remember that every challenge — every adversity — contains within it the seeds of opportunity and growth. ― Roy T. Bennett

Although it's difficult today to see beyond the sorrow, May looking back in memory help comfort you tomorrow. — Author unknown

Grief is itself a medicine." — William Cowper