The Art of Moving Forward (Even When You're Stuck)

Find your rhythm when life throws you off track.

Ever feel like challenges come out of nowhere and slam right into your forward motion? One minute you’re in your bag, full of drive and focus, and the next bam. Life happens. Adulting happens. Suddenly, the momentum you worked so hard to build feels like it’s slipping through your fingers. That was me all last month. Here’s what I did to keep it moving when my momentum stalled.

For most of January, everything felt off (yes, on top of our country being in shambles). I went on a nice vacation with friends earlier in the month to trade in the snow for some sun, but when I got back, I felt life spiraling. Deadlines piled up, commitments stretched me thin, and I had to unexpectedly fly home to be with my family after my granny’s passing. With all of this combined, the planned routine I created to kick off the year fell apart, and it felt like all my momentum hit a wall. Normally, I’d push through, but I tried something different this time. I stepped back and asked myself: How can I keep moving while creating the space to process my feelings?

I realized that pushing through wasn't the answer this time. Instead, I needed to be intentional about how I moved forward. What came next changed everything.

When momentum stalls, it doesn’t mean your progress is over, it just means it’s time to shift your approach. Here are three small actions that helped me regain my footing and rebuild my momentum:

Lean on Your Community
Momentum isn’t a solo sport. I reached out to my circle of family, friends, mentors, and peers, and shared what I was going through. The support, advice, and even accountability I received reminded me that I didn’t have to figure it all out alone. The kind words and check-ins warmed my heart, the pick-me-up gifts put a smile on my face, and when I was ready to lock in again, the accountability helped me get back on track. All of it had a purpose. Sometimes, just one conversation can put things back into perspective and help reignite your drive when you’re ready.

Go Back to the Basics
When everything feels overwhelming, simplify. I focused on daily movement, hydration, rest, and intentional reflection, small yet essential habits that helped me reset. These small actions created space for clarity, which gave me a path forward. It’s amazing how grounding yourself in the basics can reset your energy.

Slow Down to Speed Up
It’s counterintuitive, but slowing down is often the best way to regain momentum. I stopped trying to force progress and gave myself permission to pause, reflect, and realign. This intentional slowdown allowed me to work smarter, not harder, and move forward with purpose instead of panic.

Stalling isn’t failure; it’s a signal to recalibrate. The next time your momentum falters, try these three steps: reach out to your community, simplify your routine, and embrace the power of a strategic pause. Progress isn’t always about speed, it’s about direction.

Remember what I said in the Small Actions, Big Results newsletter? Big wins are built from tiny, intentional steps. A momentum stall isn’t a stop, it’s a chance to reset with intention. Small actions, like reaching out to a friend or resetting your morning routine, can lead to big results. Let’s keep it moving, together.

What’s your go-to strategy when your momentum takes a hit? Leave a comment and let’s discuss together.

Things I'm Loving, Learning, and Letting Go
Bringing this section back because it sparked great conversations and reflection fuels momentum. Let’s keep it going with a few things shaping my mindset and energy right now.

Things I’m Loving:

• My Kindle (plus my Libby account)

• All the Black Girl Magic & Black Boy Joy at the Grammy’s

Things I’m Learning:

• Give yourself the grace you give others

• Own your presence

Things I’m Letting Go:

• Overplanning (as a form of procrastination)

• Overexplaining

Would love to know what’s on your list this month! Feel free to share yours.

Talk soon.