Feeling Stuck? Why It Might Be the Calm Before Your Financial Breakthrough
You are doing the work.
You are investing in yourself, showing up, making smart decisions.
And yet... something still feels off. Slower than expected. Tighter than it should be.
Maybe it is a cash flow dip. Or a rough quarter. Or just that vague but real feeling of being stuck—like you are in between chapters and can't quite see what's next.
If that is where you are right now, take a breath. You are not failing.
You might just be in a natural phase of contraction before expansion—a pause that happens right before growth.
This "tight" phase can be confusing, especially for people who are used to making things happen. You are not ignoring your finances. You have got goals. Maybe you have even started doing deeper work on your mindset.
So why does it feel like you are spinning your wheels?
Here is a possibility: youa re in the middle of a shift. Not because something is wrong—but because something is about to change.
In these moments, your inner world is catching up to your next level of growth. And that shift can feel uncomfortable. Disorienting. Like the caterpillar in the cocoon, things feel dark, messy, and uncertain—just before the wings form.
If you are feeling pressure or self-doubt during a slow period, you might be hearing from your Saboteurs—the inner voices identified by Shirzad Chamine:
The Judge, who says, "You should be further along by now."
The Controller, who hates not knowing the plan.
The Restless, who pushes you to jump to something new, just to escape the discomfort.
These voices aren't trying to hurt you. They are trying to keep you safe. But they don't know how to handle uncertainty very well.
They will try to fill the space with worry, blame, or overthinking.
But what if this space isn't something to fix?
When you are in a slower or more uncertain phase, your Money Archetypes may react in predictable ways.
The Innocent might freeze, overwhelmed by confusion or fear.
The Warrior might double down, trying to "power through" instead of pausing to reflect.
The Martyr might overextend, thinking giving more will solve the discomfort.
The Fool might try to distract with quick fixes or risky moves.
And yet, what is really needed isn't more hustle or more control.
It's trust.
Not blind faith. Not wishful thinking. But trust in the process of transformation—especially the parts you can't fully see yet.
So, what can you do when you are in a period of financial (or personal) contraction?
Here are a few grounded suggestions:
Recognize the Phase
Not all slowdowns are setbacks. Sometimes they are setups for something new—especially when you have been doing inner work. Your external world is catching up.
Name the Voice
When anxiety or frustration rises, ask: Which Saboteur is speaking? Which Archetype is reacting? Naming it takes away most of its power.
Let Go of the Timeline
Growth doesn't always follow your calendar. Pushing harder doesn't always mean moving faster. Sometimes surrender moves you forward more than strategy.
Stay Engaged Without Forcing It
You don't have to solve everything today. But you can stay connected—review your numbers weekly, reflect on your goals, and stay open to opportunities as they come.
Anchor in What's True
You are still capable. You are still growing. This period is not the end—it is the middle.
The truth is, most breakthroughs don't feel like breakthroughs when they are happening.
They feel like confusion, like fear, like letting go of the old way before the new one fully arrives.
If you are feeling the squeeze right now, maybe you are not stuck.
Maybe you are in the part of the story where the change is happening underneath the surface.
You are not doing it wrong. You are just in the "in-between".
If you want to better understand your own patterns—especially during times of uncertainty—I invite you to take the free Money Archetype Quiz.
Discover Your Money Archetype
It will help you see how your mindset might be shaping your decisions—and how to lead yourself through this next chapter with more clarity and confidence.
Remember: the expansion is coming. But sometimes, it starts with a pause.
Let that pause be part of the process.