Blog Post | I’m Stuck!!
I’m Stuck!!
Have you ever been stuck? You know that lost, frozen feeling where you have no idea what to do, and “system overload” hits? That “system overload” can cause many adults with ADHD to shut down and stop. It’s challenging to get things accomplished when these feelings occur. This happened to me the other day. I was sitting down to write this blog, and I had too many ideas swirling around in my brain. I was also very uncertain about where I wanted to go with each of my topics. I felt lost. As I stared at my computer screen, I googled, “I’m stuck,” and then it hit me. This is a real-time challenge, and I will write about how I got unstuck. At that moment, I had the idea, but I was still a little unsure about where to go with it. I tried a few of the strategies below, and those helped. Here are some quick remedies you can use when trying to crawl out of a stuck place.
Brain Dump:
When you have so much swirling in your head, it’s hard to decipher all that information. It helps to get it all out of your head by either writing it out or talking it out with someone.
Park it somewhere:
Now that you have this list of information you have dumped out of your head, what do you do with it? I like to park it somewhere. Eliminate items that are not urgent at the moment and park them somewhere where you can get to them later. Look at what is the more immediate need and put related items together.
Fuel up with protein:
Food is fuel. If you are running on empty, it will be hard to get stuff done. Look at eating some protein that will help fuel your brain.
Get clarity: A clear understanding of a task can influence your motivation to accomplish it. When it’s vague, it’s hard to start. Ask yourself clarifying questions. Get clear on the details. What’s your goal or outcome? Now, can you create an outline of what needs to be done?
Stop and take a deep breath:
Focus on your breath, so your body can catch up to your brain. A good deep breath is like a reboot to our system. It is quick, easy, and free!
Take a break:
Taking a step away from what you are doing can help. However, it can also be a challenge to transition back. This is why a break that is a small in-between activity can help. Find something that refuels or refreshes you, such as a stroll outside. Don’t forget to make it an easy activity to break away from. Doom scrolling on your phone will not fit into the “easy to break away from” category. Trust me; I have personal experience with this one.
Do something physical or get outside:
When you are feeling stuck, get moving. You don’t have to do a full exercise routine. Any movement can help us shift out of our brain’s freeze/stuck mode. You can reboot your brain by getting those endorphins flowing. Get outside if you can, and soak up some of that vitamin D.
Connect with others:
Connecting with others can give you the boost you need to get things done. Social interactions can increase dopamine. If you are stuck, talking it out with a friend or colleague can help you get some clarity.
Hopefully, one or more of these tips will help you see your situation from a better perspective and open up the flow on forward momentum!
Kelly Thorell
ADHD Coach | Center For Living Well with ADHD, LLC
