That Stuck Feeling Before Something New

Have your heard of Insight Timer? I’m a big fan!

Crazily, I’ve been guiding people using imagery and visualization for over twenty years, whether it be through therapy, coaching, or my own healing journey. It’s not just a professional tool, it’s been a lifeline. I truly believe guided imagery played a central role in my early Multiple Sclerosis healing journey. Even now, I turn to mediation the moment I sense symptoms or simply feel out of sync. It’s become a sacred tool in my wellness arsenal.

But here’s the silly part: I didn’t discover Insight Timer until recently. Even though it’s been around since 2014 (in its present form), I ended up trying many other popular meditation apps – ones you’ve definitely heard of. I bought the yearly subscriptions, listened for a bit… and then stopped. They just didn’t click. They felt rigid, curated for someone else’s journey, not mine.

Insight Timer is different.

Its beauty lies in its variety. It's built on contributions from real people: meditation teachers, yogis, therapists, spiritual leaders – offering everything from ancient mantras to modern mindfulness. The app doesn’t rely on forcing a singular path. Instead, it opens space for all of us to find what we need, when we need it. It’s now my go-to resource, and although I have now started uploading some of my own tracks for free – I’m not an affiliate – though I do feel compelled to share it with anyone who it might resonate with… ;-)

But all this to say, is that earlier this week, I found myself in a familiar space … a place of feeling stuck.

It was the very end of July. And, as I’ve come to realize, every year around this time – right before my birthday – I slow down. I stall. I start doubting things. At first, I thought it was just summer. Maybe a mid-year slump. But now, I’m wondering: is it a pattern?

So, I went searching on Insight Timer. I listened to a handful of meditations about feeling stuck, and while many offered nuggets of wisdom, one in particular resonated. It was by David Ji – a leader in the guided imagery space. In it, he reframes “being stuck” as something different: a pause. A moment of quiet, of gathering. A necessary stillness before the next chapter begins.

That hit me like a wave.

What if this time I label as “stuck” is actually my body and spirit preparing? Nesting. Organizing. Gathering strength. Getting things in alignment before I leap into something new. That felt… true.

Share

It’s August 3rd today – my birth month. And I can feel the shift beginning.

After listening to David Ji’s meditation, to which I added a little birdsong and bells in the background – one of the beautiful personalization features on Insight Timer – I suddenly felt more grounded. More open. More ready.

And just like that, the pause started to feel like momentum.

So if you’re feeling stuck – maybe in mid-summer, or right before a big life moment or birthday – know this: it might not be stuckness at all. It might be the space before the spark. The pause before the leap. The time your soul needs to take a breath before your next becoming.

I’m working on a guided meditation about this very thing – on honoring the pause and moving through “stuckness” with grace. If that speaks to you, stay tuned. I’ll share it here soon.

Until then, take a deep breath.

You’re not stuck. \nYou’re simply getting ready.

With Love, \nPriya

Priya R. Kapoor is a life coach, author and speaker with over 20 years experience in the helping industry. She has a master’s in Marriage and Family Therapy and works as a coach and consultant with clients all over the world. In 2014, she created the coaching brand ‘Give Yourself Permission’ and, in the same year, published her first book ‘Give Yourself Permission to Live Your Life’ (Balboa Press). Please visit www.prkcoaching.com for more information on how to work with her. She is currently working on a new project called The Permission Studio and has recently started as a Teacher on Insight Timer - her profile can be found at https://insighttimer.com/priyakh