You’re Not Busy, You’re Stuck
- Monickie Scott
- Nov 3
- 3 min read
When I First Met “Unstuck”
Years ago, I met an author who had written a book called Unstuck. At the time, I smiled politely, thinking, “That’s not really for me - I’m good.”
I was in motion-working, producing, showing up. I had checklists, deadlines, and goals. “Stuck” wasn’t a word I identified with.
But here’s the thing: you can be busy and still be stuck. I didn’t realize that being stuck isn’t about doing nothing. It’s about doing everything except the one thing that actually moves you forward.
The Hidden Trap of “Busy”
Busyness feels productive. It gives us something to say when people ask, “How’s it going?” “Oh, I’m just so busy,” we answer proudly, as if it’s a badge of honor.
But deep down, if you’re honest, you might sense the truth: You’re spinning, but not progressing. You’re exhausted, but unfulfilled.
For me, it happened in seasons when life got overwhelming or when progress didn’t come fast enough. I’d freeze. I’d overthink. And then I’d stall.
Sometimes I stayed “stuck” for weeks, waiting for the perfect plan, the perfect timing, or the perfect confidence before starting again.
The result? Missed opportunities. Unfinished ideas. And a growing sense of frustration masked as fatigue.
What “Stuck” Really Looks Like
Stuck doesn’t always mean lazy. Sometimes it’s grief. You lose someone close, and you stop showing up for life. You start existing instead of living. The people still here start to fade into the background because you’ve quietly shut down.
Sometimes it’s comparison. You see someone else’s success and think, “If my effort didn’t get me there, why bother?” So you pause. And the pause turns into months or even years.
Other times, being stuck looks like productivity on the surface. but avoidance underneath. You keep reorganizing, planning, tweaking, and talking about what you’ll do instead of doing it.
Sound familiar?
Why We Stay Stuck
We stay stuck because stillness feels safer than failure.
It’s easier to say, “I’m not ready yet,” than to admit, “I’m scared to start.” It’s easier to make a new plan than to risk getting it wrong.
But progress doesn’t come from perfect timing, it comes from imperfect action. Movement creates clarity, not the other way around.
When we don’t move, we slowly start losing trust in ourselves. We begin to doubt our ability to finish, so we stop beginning. And that’s where dreams quietly die, not with rejection, but with hesitation.
How to Get Unstuck
1. Name It Without Shame
Say it: “I’m stuck.” Owning it takes the power away from denial. You can’t heal what you won’t name, and you can’t fix what you won’t face.
This isn’t failure, it’s awareness.
2. Reconnect With Your Why
Go back to the start. What made you want this in the first place? When you lose touch with your “why,” everything feels heavier. Write it down. Revisit it. Let it remind you why forward motion still matters.
3. Take the Smallest Step Possible
When you can’t run, crawl. Send one message. Create one post. Outline one idea. Tiny steps create traction, and traction builds confidence. Remember, momentum doesn’t require speed, it requires start.
4. Stop Comparing
You’re not behind, you’re becoming. Your path is unfolding in the order it’s meant to. Someone else’s timeline isn’t your measuring stick, it’s just proof that success is possible.
5. Ask for Help
Sometimes you just need someone to remind you that you’re not alone. Find a community, a coach, or a friend who can hold you accountable. When you share your goals out loud, they stop being ideas and start becoming commitments.
The Polished Form of Fear...
Let’s be real, perfectionism often hides behind phrases like: “I’m just waiting for the right time.” “I just need to learn one more thing.” “I’m not ready yet.”
That voice isn’t wisdom, it’s fear dressed in professionalism. It’s what convinces you that staying stuck is safer than being seen.
But the truth? Nobody ever built a 5 Star Life by waiting for perfect conditions. The people who win are the ones who start where they are, with what they have, and keep adjusting as they go.
The Moment I Moved Anyway
When I finally stopped overplanning and just started doing, something amazing happened- Momentum!
Things weren’t perfect, but they were progressing. And that progress fueled peace, confidence, and joy.
Now, when I feel myself freezing, I remind myself:
“You don’t have to have it all figured out to take the next step.”
Because clarity isn’t the reward for waiting, it’s the reward for moving.
You’re Not Behind. You’re Becoming.
So, Star, if you’re feeling stuck right now, here’s what I want you to hear: You’re not broken. You’re not behind. You’re becoming.
Getting unstuck isn’t about a massive leap, it’s about one small, brave move that tells the universe, “I’m still in the game.”
Your dreams are waiting on your motion. And motion starts now. 🫶🏾
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