The Unstuck Woman

Without the structure a job can provide for the day, sometimes I find myself waking up in the morning feeling like I have no direction.  Some women tell us it helps to have a daily ritual to start the day. The idea is to do something to start your day that puts you in a positive frame of mind. You know, like that double mocha latte used to do when you could afford it. It doesn’t have to be anything substantial; it could be as simple as reciting something that makes you feel positive, a type of mantra. One woman told us she wakes up every morning and promises herself she will learn something new today. I would have to write that down and prop it on my bedside clock to remember it each morning, but you get the idea.

I have found that having a simple plan for what you are going to do the next day is helpful. It doesn’t have to be elaborate or even written down, but before you go to sleep, tick off on your fingers three things you plan on doing the next day. I usually make one about my financial situation like sending information about my consulting business or networking with contacts, one about something more personal like cleaning out my closet or at least putting new mothballs in my sweater drawer, and one about doing something new. It doesn’t have to be anything big, just new. It could be something simple like going to a park and taking a walk. But I try to do something that gets me looking at the world just a little differently.

What are your daily rituals?

Tell us your story….

It has been a full year since being laid off. It went by so quickly. Yes I know, everyone says that at the end of the year. But it did and what really astounds me is I have barely made a dent in my “To Do” list.

I started a list of all the things I was going to do while unemployed at the beginning of the year mostly as a way to assure myself that I would be productive this year and there was an upside to the whole experience. I figured I would be constantly adding items as I crossed others off. (more…)

I have been “officially” out of work since March 1, 2009. I really like not having to go to an office, shower and get dressed really early in the morning and driving in rush hour traffic….OK, I can be more honest; some days it is mid-afternoon before I have brushed my teeth. But I really don’t like the lack of income. My husband would agree with the latter as I want to spend the same amount I did when I was working full-time. I find when I am sitting in front of my computer it is pretty damn easy to go to the Nordstrom web site and look at their sale items but am rationalizing that looking at the Nordstrom web site is a break for me…kind of like getting up and walking to someone’s office. Unfortunately it is also easy to walk to the kitchen to get something to eat. (more…)

This website is about getting unstuck. Getting out of the rut you are in and moving forward.  Helping yourself to make all aspects of your life enjoyable. Sometimes we work at it and pull ourselves out of that rut and sometimes something happens beyond our control to put us on a different path. It started for us by getting laid off. If you are stuck, join us and other women as we explore all the many ways of moving forward and getting to the good stuff. And if you were stuck and are now unstuck share your story and tips with our network of readers.