Stuck in rut? Here's how to feel better fast

Why we lose strength and stay silent

Sometimes we believe we can handle everything on our own. That we just need a little more time and something will change. That it's simply “a rough patch.” That we should keep pushing, hold on a bit longer — and things will work out.

“But weeks go by. Months. A year. And instead of butter, it’s still just milk. Cold, sticky, exhausting. And you’re no longer jumping like you were at the beginning. You’re just staying afloat so you don’t drown. That’s when a question arises — the one we don’t want to ask: Maybe it’s time to stop? And ask yourself: am I really still fighting, or have I just gotten used to surviving? At that moment, seeking help isn’t a weakness. It’s strength,” the expert explains.

Stop carrying it all on your own

There’s a difference between “it’s a bit hard” and “I can’t take it anymore, but I’m keeping silent.” Here are some clear signs:

Everything irritates you. Even your dog, who used to be your only source of joy.

Waking up with no energy. And no, coffee doesn’t help anymore.

Insomnia or excessive sleep. Your body is raising the alarm.

Constant anxiety. You don’t feel calm, even in silence.

Isolation. People get on your nerves — you want to hide or disappear altogether.

Loss of interest. Nothing brings joy anymore, not even what used to energize you.

Why we don’t ask for help

Strong person syndrome. “I’m used to handling things on my own.”

Shame. We were taught that psychologists are “for the weak.”

Money and time. It feels like now is not the right time. But when will be?

Distrust. “What if it doesn’t help?” — But what if it does?

What you can do right now

• Admit it: Yes, I’m struggling. And I don’t have to manage it all alone.

• Write a list of psychotherapists, psychologists, coaches, or services you trust.

• Choose a format: online or in-person.

• Schedule the first appointment. It’s not a marriage — if it doesn’t feel right, you can choose someone else.

• Talk to your loved ones: maybe someone’s already taken this path and can recommend a specialist.

“Seeking help isn’t about ‘surrender’ or weakness. It’s about understanding that you don’t have to solve everything alone. It’s about finding a different way. Not struggling — building support,” the expert adds.

What you get when you choose help

• An outside perspective without judgment

• Insight into the real reasons behind how you feel

• Tools that actually work

• A space where you can say anything and won’t be judged

• A way out when everything feels meaningless

“Asking for help is not surrender. It’s a new beginning. Sometimes, it’s the moment movement begins — not toward struggle, but toward life. A life with more clarity. More strength. More of you. And I’ll let you in on a ‘scary’ secret… With a specialist, this path is easier,” coach Vitalii Kursik concludes.

This material is for informational purposes only and should not be used for medical diagnosis or self-treatment. Our goal is to provide readers with accurate information about symptoms, causes, and methods of detecting diseases. RBС-Ukraine is not responsible for any diagnoses that readers may make based on materials from the resource. We do not recommend self-treatment and advise consulting a doctor in case of any health concerns.