Body stuckness is not uncommon and can be very frustrating. It includes hitting a plateau in weight loss when the pounds refuse to go away any longer. It means a long-term bout of insomnia that may stretch into weeks or months. It could be an inability to stop smoking or some other bad habit. Body Stuckness is essentially a situation where we cannot do what we physically want to do but believe we are capable of doing.
There are at least three situations that create physical stuckness.
Stuckness of the body due to addiction. When our body builds up a physical or psychological dependence on something that we do not want to do. This includes not only alcohol and other types of drugs but also other, normally less destructive behaviors such as video games or sex. We become stuck when we identify the behavior as destructive (or disruptive) to our lives but we are unable to change our behavior. In short, we become aware that we are caught in a loop of behavior that is against our self-interest through addiction.
Stuckness of the body due to “firm-mindedness. This stuckness happens when there is no real physical or psychological addiction. W know we could and should change but would rather not because it would be too much trouble. We can’t be bothered. My mother called it “firm-mindedness.” I would call it being stubborn or lazy.
Stuckness of the body due to unacknowledged physical limitations. This is a particularly tricky type of body stuckness. We realize that we are stuck and not moving forward like we desire but we have no idea why. We are not only frustrated by being stuck, we are angry because we cannot see a clear path ahead. We may flail about trying this or that, but end up right back where we started. Generally, there is an underlying physical limitation that we have either buried or never considered. If I had a deep desire to ride a Triple Crown winner, I would likely find myself being stuck on a plow horse due to my generous girth. A runner without the legs to compete would be stuck in the stands.
I do not want to suggest that physical stuckness is a great tragedy. In fact, it can be a great gift if it is used to help us to get a clearer understanding of ourselves. Body stuckness is a sign that there is something more going on than weight, sleep, or bad habits. By accepting our stuckness as a part of the tapestry of our life we can become better acquainted with the one person who will be with us until our last breath.
There are at least three situations that create physical stuckness.
Stuckness of the body due to addiction. When our body builds up a physical or psychological dependence on something that we do not want to do. This includes not only alcohol and other types of drugs but also other, normally less destructive behaviors such as video games or sex. We become stuck when we identify the behavior as destructive (or disruptive) to our lives but we are unable to change our behavior. In short, we become aware that we are caught in a loop of behavior that is against our self-interest through addiction.
Stuckness of the body due to “firm-mindedness. This stuckness happens when there is no real physical or psychological addiction. W know we could and should change but would rather not because it would be too much trouble. We can’t be bothered. My mother called it “firm-mindedness.” I would call it being stubborn or lazy.
Stuckness of the body due to unacknowledged physical limitations. This is a particularly tricky type of body stuckness. We realize that we are stuck and not moving forward like we desire but we have no idea why. We are not only frustrated by being stuck, we are angry because we cannot see a clear path ahead. We may flail about trying this or that, but end up right back where we started. Generally, there is an underlying physical limitation that we have either buried or never considered. If I had a deep desire to ride a Triple Crown winner, I would likely find myself being stuck on a plow horse due to my generous girth. A runner without the legs to compete would be stuck in the stands.
I do not want to suggest that physical stuckness is a great tragedy. In fact, it can be a great gift if it is used to help us to get a clearer understanding of ourselves. Body stuckness is a sign that there is something more going on than weight, sleep, or bad habits. By accepting our stuckness as a part of the tapestry of our life we can become better acquainted with the one person who will be with us until our last breath.
TIPS
A Little self-assessment
Become a student of your daily life and, in time, you will become more and more comfortable in your own skin.
- What behaviors do you want to change?
- How do these things fit in to your daily routine?
- What benefits do you get from them?
- How might you better meet these needs?
- Count the costs and visualize them in real terms. Let go of shame and all the other feelings and focus on real world actions and results.
- Find someone to help you unpack and let go of the things that hold you back
Become a student of your daily life and, in time, you will become more and more comfortable in your own skin.
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