The awareness of choice can help you move forward

A lot of times when we are stuck it’s because we don’t believe we have choice. Many times we are looking at situations with a linear perspective or we are frozen and can only see what is right in front of us. Or we only see two places - where we are and where we want to be - without seeing the stuff in the middle. Those are all totally normal responses to change. Change can feel scary. Moving forward can feel scary. Feeling stuck can feel scary, too.

When I am at the edge of making a change, I tend to freeze. I can actually feel the lack of inertia in my body. I am REALLY good at holding on very tightly to what I have in front of me. Most of the time it’s because I don’t realize that I have SO many choices - not just the big leap I am picturing in my head. When I am able to break down what’s in front of me into small parts (small choices), it doesn’t seem so scary and opens the door to taking small steps forward to where I want to be. And when I start to realize that I can choose to stay where I am OR choose take small, less-scary steps, I can feel my body relax and be open to possibility.

Understanding that it doesn’t have to be all or nothing; that we can break down what we want into small steps and choices; that we have a choice to stay where we are or to move forward - these are a valid and supporting thoughts. Take your time, have compassion for yourself and do what works best for you.

**There are certain situations where choice is not available. I am not talking about those situations. Take care of yourself the best way you can in those situations.