Is the size of your action too big? Thinking about why you 'can't move'

Even though there is something you want to do,
taking that first step feels a bit daunting...

You spend so much time thinking about it,
that you end up unable to move at all.

At times like that,
you might think,
“I need to be more proactive,”
or “Maybe I lack the courage or resolve.”

But that might not be quite right.

The size of the action you planned
might be a little too big for you right now.

Sometimes, that is the cause.

This time,
I would like to look at what happens when you want to do something but can't move,
from the perspective of the “size of the action.”

▶ Not being able to act
is not because your “will is weak”

When you have something you want to do but can't move.

Especially when taking on something for the first time,
I think it is common to feel anxious or overthink things,
leading you to “stop.”

However, in reality,

the size of the step required to take action
was larger than your mental preparation,

which happens quite often.

For example,
・Deciding to change your path
・Taking on something new
・Making a choice different from before

Actions like these
require more power than you might think.

Stopping is actually
a natural reaction.

▶ When you can't move even though you are envisioning the future

Envisioning an ideal future
generates the power to move forward.

It is said that when a sense of presence in the future is created,
people naturally find it easier to move.

However,
sometimes the future looks so big that
knowing 'what I should do right now'
can become difficult to see.

Even though the future is visible,
the steps along the way are not.

That is the state of things.

And one more thing.

There are also times when you don't yet have the capacity
to break down actions into smaller pieces.

▶ It is okay to make actions small, and
　there are times when you cannot make them small

The more a large action seems necessary,
'What is the smallest thing I can do right now?'
thinking this can be helpful.

For example,

・Try researching for just 5 minutes
・Try writing down something that is on your mind
・Try talking to someone, even if it's incoherent
・Try stopping once to organize your thoughts

In this way,
even movements that seem small are enough.

But,
there are times when you feel that
breaking things down into small pieces is difficult, right?

At such times,
you might still be in the middle of preparation.

▶ When the size of your action is
too big

When the size of your action is too big,
people don't just stop.

You might feel like you aren't meeting expectations,
find it hard to report that you haven't made progress,
or even find it painful just to be there.

And,
you might also get tired
of yourself for trying to keep going anyway.

But that is
not because you aren't trying hard enough.

You are just in the middle of looking for a way forward that suits you right now.

▶ There is meaning in the time you spend standing still

When you feel that the size of your action is still too big,

rather than forcing yourself to move forward,
taking some time to step back and look at it from a distance can be helpful.

For example, in my case.

When I can't move forward,
I feel like it's similar to
the feeling of being lost in a game dungeon.

Going around in circles in the same place.
"Didn't I pass through here earlier?"
"Where is the exit?"
"Where is the treasure chest?"
It's a feeling like that.

Sometimes, moving around on your own just makes you tired.

Stepping back is a bit like
looking at the whole picture through a map
rather than the scenery right in front of you.

Even if it looks like you aren't moving forward,
you might just be in the middle of confirming your current location.

▶ You can choose how you move forward

When you feel that the size of your action might be too big,
it doesn't mean you are "unable to move,"
but rather that you might be in the middle of looking for a way forward that suits you right now.

For some people, having a clear image of the future
makes it easier to move.

For others, breaking things down into smaller steps
provides a sense of security.

And,
for those who want to move forward with conviction,
taking time to stop and organize thoughts
is also an important part of the process.

Time spent standing still
is not time spent failing to progress.

It is time spent choosing how to move forward.

Without blaming yourself,
it is okay to choose the way of moving forward that suits you.

Because the way to move forward
is never just one.

Thank you for reading this article
to the end.

See you next time.

▼ Contact us here ▼

I hope to be a place where we can look at your 'quiet, true feelings' together.
When you need to, please reach out from here.

Other articles are also organized
by theme according to sensations.

There might be something
that matches how you feel right now.
▼　　　　▼　　　　▼