Feeling Stuck in Neutral? Let's Talk About Coasting
1. Why Am I Even Coasting in the First Place?
Ever get that feeling like you're just... existing? Going through the motions, not really striving for anything, just kind of letting life happen to you? That, my friend, might be coasting. It's that comfortable (maybe too comfortable) spot where you're not necessarily failing, but you're definitely not growing either. The keyword term "coasting" is a verb here, describing an action, or rather, a lack of intentional action. Understanding that is the first step to addressing it.
There are a bunch of reasons why we slip into coasting mode. Maybe you achieved a big goal and need time to recover. Completely understandable! Or perhaps you're burnt out from pushing too hard for too long. We've all been there. Sometimes, life throws curveballs — job loss, relationship issues, health problems — and we just need to conserve energy to get through it. It's survival mode, not coasting per se, but it can feel similar. The important thing is to recognize the difference between a temporary dip and a long-term pattern.
Another sneaky culprit? Fear. Yep, sometimes we coast because we're afraid of what might happen if we actually tried. Afraid of failure, afraid of success (believe it or not, it's a thing!), afraid of the work involved. Coasting feels safe, predictable, and avoids those scary unknowns. It's like staying in bed all day — comfortable, but ultimately unfulfilling.
And let's be honest, sometimes we coast simply because we're not sure what we want. We haven't taken the time to really figure out our passions, our values, our goals. So, we drift along, hoping something interesting will pop up. While serendipity does happen, it's rarely a sustainable life strategy.
