When I was a kid, the fire swamp scene in The Princess Bride scared me half-to-death–especially when Princess Buttercup falls into the Quicksand. It was an invisible death trap. Not to mention the R-O-U-S’s!
With quicksand, the harder you struggle, the more impossible it is to escape. As an adult, the experience of “being stuck” emotionally is just as frightening. Emotional quicksand is a reality for all-too-many people.
In my marriage and family therapy practice, located in Salt Lake City, I hear this trapped feeling described in many ways: I feel stuck. I’m in a rut. I’m going around in circles. When I take one step forward, I take two steps back. I’ve painted myself in a corner.
You probably identify with this state of helplessness in some area of your life: Financial, Emotional, Social, Mental, Physical, Spiritual, or Occupational.
I recently read “An Autobiography in Five Short Chapters” by Portia Nelson. She compared feeling stuck to a Hole in a Sidewalk. It illustrates what leads people into the hole, what keeps them stuck, and the different ways to get out:
There’s a Hole in My Sidewalk
Chapter 1
I walk down the street. There is a deep hole in the sidewalk. I fall in. I am lost … I am helpless. It isn’t my fault. It takes forever to find a way out.
Chapter 2
I walk down the same street. There is a deep hole in the sidewalk. I pretend I don’t see it. I fall in again. I can’t believe I am in the same place. But it isn’t my fault. It still takes a long time to get out.
Chapter 3
I walk down the same street. There is a deep hole in the sidewalk. I see it is there. I still fall in … it’s a habit. My eyes are open. I know where I am. It is my fault. I get out immediately.
Chapter 4
I walk down the same street. There is a deep hole in the sidewalk. I walk around it.
Chapter 5
I walk down another street.
~ Portia Nelson ~
Self-awareness and taking ownership of your situation are two of the first steps to getting out of your rut. You can get out of your hole! I have seen many people do it! Take ownership and try something new until you find a solution.
My fear of quicksand went away when I realized there wasn’t any in my backyard.
