Feeling stuck? Don’t know what to do? You’re not alone. In fact, you’re in good company.

The stuck feeling is universal

It is normal, even common, to feel stuck, uninspired or unable to figure out what to do next. Everyone goes through periods where they can’t seem to make progress, where inspiration feels like a distant memory, where every path forward seems blocked.

What makes this more frustrating is that sometimes the more we focus on finding a solution, the harder it gets to figure it out.

This is a classic paradox of problem-solving. When we’re stuck, our natural instinct is to think harder, to analyze more, to search more desperately for answers. But this often makes things worse. We get caught in mental loops, going over the same thoughts again and again without finding new insights.

The harder we try to force a solution, the more elusive it becomes.

Why traditional problem-solving fails when you’re stuck

When you’re feeling stuck, your brain is often in a state of cognitive overload. You’re trying to process too many variables at once, considering too many possibilities, weighing too many options. This creates a kind of mental paralysis where no single path forward seems clear.

Traditional problem-solving approaches often make this worse:

• Analysis paralysis: Overthinking every possible outcome
• Perfectionism: Waiting for the perfect solution before taking action
• Comparison: Looking at what others are doing and feeling inadequate
• Fear of failure: Avoiding action because you might make the wrong choice

The result is that you stay stuck, spinning your wheels while getting nowhere.

The power of freeform writing

One technique that helps get unstuck is to do freeform writing sessions. You write down a question for yourself, set a timer then start writing about it. At first you will write about the question, but don’t force yourself to focus, just keep going, keep writing. Even if it feels like it’s gibberish, keep going. If you blank out and don’t know what else to write, repeat the last work until you can continue.

This technique works because it bypasses your analytical mind and taps into your subconscious. When you write without editing or censoring yourself, you access thoughts and insights that your conscious mind might be blocking.

Freeform writing creates a safe space for exploration. You can write things that sound ridiculous, contradictory, or incomplete. You can change your mind mid-sentence. You can contradict yourself. None of it matters because no one else will see it.

How to do a freeform writing session

Here’s a step-by-step guide to getting unstuck with freeform writing:

1. Choose your question: What are you stuck on? Be specific. Instead of “What should I do with my life?” try “What’s the next step I should take in my career?” or “How can I improve my relationship with my partner?”

2. Set a timer: Start with 10-15 minutes. You want enough time to get past the surface thoughts, but not so much that you get tired or frustrated.

3. Start writing: Write your question at the top of the page, then start writing whatever comes to mind. Don’t stop to think, don’t edit, don’t worry about grammar or spelling.

4. Keep going: If you run out of things to say, repeat the last word until something new comes to mind. If you feel like you’re writing nonsense, keep going anyway.

5. Don’t force focus: Let your mind wander. If you start writing about something completely unrelated, that’s fine. Trust that your subconscious knows what it’s doing.

6. When the timer ends, stop: Don’t keep writing to finish a thought. The timer is your boundary.

What happens during freeform writing

The process typically follows a pattern:

Phase 1: Surface thoughts (first 2-3 minutes) You’ll start with obvious, surface-level thoughts about your question. These are the things you’ve already thought about a hundred times.

Phase 2: Resistance (minutes 3-5) You might start feeling frustrated, like you’re not getting anywhere. You might want to stop. This is normal. Keep going.

Phase 3: Breakthrough (minutes 5-10) If you keep writing through the resistance, you’ll often hit a point where new insights start emerging. These might feel surprising or even obvious once you see them.

Phase 4: Integration (final minutes) You’ll start connecting ideas, seeing patterns, and finding clarity about your next steps.

Reviewing your writing

Once the timer ends, review what you wrote and see if there’s anything that helps you move forward. If there isn’t, don’t worry about it, try again later or tomorrow. In the meantime, your subconscious brain will continue working on the question and you may find that next time you get some insight that will push you in the right direction.

When reviewing your writing, look for:

Key insights: Phrases or sentences that feel important or true Patterns: Recurring themes or ideas Emotional responses: What makes you feel excited, anxious, or relieved Action items: Specific steps you can take Questions: New questions that emerge from your writing

Don’t expect every session to produce a breakthrough. Sometimes you’ll write pages and pages and feel like you got nowhere. That’s okay. The process is working even when it doesn’t feel like it.

Why this technique works

Freeform writing works for several reasons:

It bypasses your inner critic: When you’re stuck, your inner critic is often the loudest voice in your head. Freeform writing silences that critic by giving you permission to write anything.

It accesses your subconscious: Your conscious mind can only hold so much information at once. Your subconscious has access to everything you know, everything you’ve experienced, and everything you’ve learned.

It creates momentum: The act of writing, even if it feels pointless, creates forward motion. It breaks the cycle of thinking without acting.

It externalizes your thoughts: When your thoughts are on paper, you can see them more clearly. You can examine them from a distance, notice patterns, and make connections you wouldn’t see otherwise.

It reduces cognitive load: Writing down your thoughts frees up mental space. You don’t have to keep everything in your head anymore.

Alternative techniques for getting unstuck

If freeform writing doesn’t work for you, here are some other techniques to try:

Mind mapping: Start with your central question and branch out with related ideas, questions, and possibilities.

The 5 Whys: Ask “why” five times to get to the root of what’s really blocking you.

Role playing: Imagine you’re giving advice to a friend who has the same problem. What would you tell them?

Physical movement: Go for a walk, do some exercise, or just move your body. Physical activity often helps clear mental blocks.

Change your environment: Work in a different location, listen to different music, or change your routine.

Talk it out: Sometimes speaking your thoughts aloud helps you hear them differently.

The importance of patience

Getting unstuck takes time. You can’t force insight or creativity. You have to create the conditions for them to emerge naturally.

Trust the process. Even when it feels like you’re not making progress, you are. Your brain is working on the problem in the background, making connections, processing information, and preparing for insights.

Be consistent. Try freeform writing regularly, even when you’re not feeling stuck. It’s easier to maintain momentum than to start from a complete standstill.

The role of preparation

“Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity.” — Seneca

This quote perfectly captures what happens when you use freeform writing to get unstuck. The writing sessions are your preparation. They help you clarify your thoughts, identify your options, and prepare yourself to recognize opportunities when they come.

When you’re prepared, you can act quickly and decisively. You don’t have to start from scratch every time you face a challenge. You have a process, a framework, and a way of thinking that helps you move forward.

The bottom line

Feeling stuck is not a sign of failure. It’s a normal part of the creative and problem-solving process. Everyone gets stuck sometimes.

The key is having tools to get unstuck. Freeform writing is one of the most effective tools I’ve found. It’s simple, it’s free, and it works.

Start small. Try a 10-minute freeform writing session today. Pick a question you’re stuck on and just start writing. Don’t worry about the outcome. Trust the process.

Be patient. Insights don’t always come immediately. Sometimes you need to write about the same question multiple times before clarity emerges.

Keep going. The more you practice freeform writing, the easier it becomes. You’ll get better at recognizing insights when they appear, and you’ll develop a deeper trust in your own thinking process.

Remember: you’re not really stuck. You just need to find a different way to access your own wisdom. Freeform writing can help you do that.

Try it today. Pick up a pen and paper, set a timer for 10 minutes, and start writing about what you’re stuck on. You might be surprised by what you discover.