Dora Kamau, a certified Mindfulness Meditation teacher with a psychology background, shares insights on feeling stuck in life. She discusses the emotional toll of unfulfilling jobs and the importance of acknowledging negative feelings. Dora emphasizes the value of appreciating a range of emotions rather than just striving for positivity. She also introduces a guided meditation focusing on gratitude, encouraging listeners to reflect on their blessings and cultivate joy, even in challenging times.
Recognizing feelings of being stuck can signal a need for change, and small daily improvements can enhance emotional well-being.
Integrating genuine gratitude into routines, rather than forced positivity, fosters resilience and helps navigate challenging life situations.
Deep dives
Overcoming Feelings of Being Stuck
Feeling stuck in a job or life situation is a common experience, and it's important to validate these emotions as they signal a need for change. Many individuals find themselves trapped in roles that drain their energy and passion, often due to financial responsibilities or caregiving duties. One way to navigate these feelings is to change one's perspective by looking for even marginal improvements in daily life, such as allowing time for small pleasures like a walk or a favorite morning beverage. Practicing gratitude and recalling positive experiences can also help shift focus from negative feelings, allowing individuals to find light amidst their struggles.
The Role of Perspective and Gratitude
Changing perspective involves recognizing the reality of a situation while seeking out ways to improve it rather than succumbing to toxic positivity. Simple acts, such as taking breaks or creating enjoyable routines, can cultivate joy and make challenging days feel more manageable. Therapy and open conversations about feelings with professionals can also provide support and strategies to address feelings of being stuck, offering personalized coping tools. Ultimately, integrating gratitude into daily routines—not through forced positivity but rather as a reflection of genuine experiences—can help foster resilience and promote emotional well-being.
When we're stuck in a job or situation that isn't ideal, we can still do small things to brighten our day and feel more like ourselves.
Dora Kamau holds a B.A. in Psychology and a B.S. in Psychiatric Nursing. She is a certified Mindfulness Meditation teacher and is working to complete her Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction Teacher training this fall. Before joining forces at Headspace, Dora worked as a psychiatric nurse in a women’s addictions facility and organized community events for BIPOC women in Vancouver, BC, Canada. You can reach out to Dora on Instagram here!