Why You Can’t Enjoy Life

Recognizing the Signs

I've been stuck in a rut. Writing, once a source of motivation, now feels purposeless. I began questioning everything: What am I doing it for? This complacency led to distractions and daily obligations without fulfillment. A few weeks later, I realized the dark season was upon me again.

The Loss of Childhood Wonder

Think about childhood. For most of us, it was a time of exploration and joy. Everything was new, and there were no limits. We laughed, played, and created for the sheer pleasure of it. But as years go by, life becomes more about survival and less about exploration. The colorful world fades into a monotonous routine.

• Dark eyes, around colorful dots
• The Fear and Freeze Response
• Understanding Fear and Stress

With goals come fears. Fear creates stress. Dr. Scott Eiders, in his video "Why You Shut Down," explains that our brain doesn't differentiate between mental and physical danger. This leads to the "freeze response," where we feel stuck and unable to act, making the world feel even darker.

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The Slow Fade to Monochrome

The worst part is knowing you should do something but feeling unable to. Life becomes monochrome. The vibrant colors of childhood fade gradually, and we find ourselves in a dark season, where even basic joys seem unattainable.

A colorful world with mountains and a river, and clouds, and a tall tulip, and a butterfly.

The Shame of Feeling Stuck

Misconceptions About Laziness

On the outside, it seems like laziness. People might think you don't try hard enough, but no matter how open your eyes are, the colors won't get brighter. The point is, we try hard to see the world "correctly" and cure our perceived "illness" by pushing ourselves. But the illness isn't you. It's the accumulated stress keeping you stuck.

The Accumulation of Stress

Stress accumulates from constant overthinking. We need distractions to calm our minds, but this cycle of busyness and distraction keeps us from truly living. What if we stayed in the moment instead of escaping?

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Breaking the Cycle

Staying in the Moment

Set a time for yourself to do nothing. Reflect on what's going on in your life. Acknowledge your existence and your current state of mind. This simple act can disrupt the cycle of busyness and distraction.

Embracing Change

If you feel frustrated or cry, it's a sign the old season is ending. A new season is about to begin. To let go of the stressors, spend time in solitude and ask yourself: What’s the pain I’m trying to alleviate?

Setting ‘a little time for yourself’ during the stuck cycle.

Finding Purpose and Direction

Building Something New

Your suffering might be universal, but how you deal with it is unique. You have the potential to help yourself and inspire others. This sense of purpose can give you direction. Solving your pain can lead to creating art, setting an example, or defying the status quo.

Taking Small Steps

Lower your expectations and focus on basic actions. Getting out of bed, taking a walk, journaling, or reading a page a day can lead to bigger changes like starting a blog, signing up for the gym, finding a new career, or traveling the world.

FAQs

What does it mean to be in a rut?

Feeling stuck and unmotivated, losing joy in activities.

How does fear relate to stress?

Fear creates stress, causing the brain to trigger a "freeze response."

Why do we feel stuck despite knowing we should act?

Accumulated stress keeps us from acting, making life feel monochrome.

How can one break the cycle of stress and distraction?

Set aside time for self-reflection and embrace solitude.

What are small steps to find purpose?

Simple actions like journaling or walking can lead to bigger changes.

Conclusion

Rediscovering life’s colors isn’t about repairing a "broken" vision but remembering how it feels to be alive. By staying in the moment, embracing change, and taking small steps, we can escape the rut and find joy in life's journey once again.

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