Most people feel stuck at some point. For neurodivergent people the feeling can be stronger and last longer, because so much of everyday life, at home, at work and in education, is designed around a different way of thinking. If that’s where you are right now, there are ways to get moving again. Here’s what people on our team have learned from their own experience.
Start moving, even a little
When you feel stuck, moving is often the last thing you want to do. But even a small amount of movement can lift your mood and ease stress, and many neurodivergent people find it helps with sensory regulation and clearer thinking.
It doesn’t have to be big. Go for a walk, try a new hobby or rearrange your workspace. Each small change makes the next one easier.
Spend some quiet time with yourself
Put your phone away, switch off the TV and give yourself some quiet. Then ask yourself some honest questions. What have I been putting off, and why? Is it self-doubt, overwhelm or something else? Are there habits or coping strategies that made sense once but are now keeping me where I am? You can’t change what you haven’t noticed.
Let yourself be inspired
New ideas usually come from new input. Read a book, follow different creators so your feeds show you something fresh, or visit a part of your town you’ve never explored. Talk to people you wouldn’t normally talk to. Inspiration rarely turns up while you’re doing exactly what you did yesterday.
Take back some control
Look back at your recent choices. What worked? What didn’t? For the things that didn’t, what would you do differently next time? Then act on what you’ve learned, even in a small way. Every decision you make for yourself is a reminder that you have more control than it feels like when you’re stuck.
Be kind to yourself
Expectations about where you “should” be by now can weigh heavily, and most of them were written with neurotypical lives in mind. Your path may look different from other people’s, and that’s fine. Work out what suits you and go at your own pace.
When it’s your job that feels stuck
Sometimes the problem isn’t you. It’s a role, a manager or a workplace that doesn’t fit how you work. Our guide on how to tell if your job isn’t right for you can help you work out which it is.
Before deciding to leave, it can be worth asking for reasonable adjustments, and our working styles guide will help you explain what you need. If cost is the obstacle, Access to Work can help pay for practical support. And if you’ve decided it’s time to move on, our career progression tips for neurodivergent people are a good next read.
How Enna can help
If a new role is the change you need, start on the Enna jobs board, where employers are actively working on neuroinclusion, and sign up for job alerts so you don’t have to keep checking. Our CV guidance will help you put your strengths across. You can also email us at hello@enna.org.
