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Why You’re Not Broken for Feeling Stuck
Many people find themselves stuck in familiar patterns, even after doing all the "right" things, reading the books, going to therapy, making vision boards, and saying affirmations. You might know you’re meant for more. You might even have a clear sense of your purpose. And still, the leap never happens. Or worse, every time you try, something inside shuts you down.
This is exactly what we explore in this episode of Shift Your Story, Change Your Life, where I guide a courageous guest through a real-time hypno-coaching session. This was our first-ever conversation, and she bravely said yes to diving deep.
She’s not new to the work. She’s coached others. She’s done years of personal development. But she was still stuck, especially around taking action on her purpose.
If you’ve ever felt like your body says "no" while your mind screams "yes," you’re not alone. And what you’ll hear in this session might just help it all start to make sense.
A Life in Limbo
Before we went into hypnosis, we took time to understand her situation.
She shared that she’s been in a long-term marriage that she knows is no longer aligned. Ideas come to her in the shower, visions of how she could turn her coaching and parenting skills into something meaningful and sustainable. But as soon as the spark ignites, it gets shut down by a voice that whispers, "No one will pay for that."
Despite being really good at what she does, she finds herself unemployed and stuck. She’s had jobs, even one where she coached professionally, but the hours ran out. Now, as she considers leaving the relationship and stepping into a new chapter, everything feels frozen. No momentum. No traction.
And underneath it all? Fear. Not just fear of failure, but fear of the unknown. After 22 years, change feels like too much, too fast.
"I feel like I’ve been called to be a cycle breaker," she said. "But my nervous system was like, you are moving way too fast for me. So I shut it down."
Scarcity, Survival, and Subconscious Wiring
As we prepared to go into hypnosis, we explored her upbringing. She described growing up in a home filled with scarcity, emotionally and financially. Her dad was passive and struggled to provide. Her mom, though eventually successful, was stressed and resentful about working. There was no joy, no abundance, no fulfillment. Just survival.
Everything had to be on sale. Money was always tight. And the marriage she witnessed was marked by emotional disconnection and complaints.
"I didn’t see what I’m trying to be," she admitted.
That contrast between the life she saw and the life she’s trying to build isn’t just inspiring. It’s terrifying to her subconscious. Because it’s unfamiliar.
The Shift Begins
When she felt ready, we began the hypnosis process. She responded beautifully—open, receptive, and ready.
I guided her to locate the part of herself that shuts down when she tries to pursue her purpose. She identified it as being in her throat, a square, bumpy, orange-colored shape. Emotionally, it carried a deep sense of helplessness, hopelessness, and even worthlessness.
When we asked that part why it was there, the answer was clear:
"To keep me safe."
Safe from what?
"A life of uncertainty. If I’m not in control, I could end up broke. Homeless. I could devastate my kids."
This part was doing everything it could to keep her in the familiar, even if the familiar was limiting.
The Origin of the Block
Then came the most important question: When did this part of you first show up?
And suddenly, it clicked.
"When I was 11. My mom went back to work. We were latchkey kids. I felt abandoned."
That moment, when her mom had to choose survival over presence, became a defining belief in her young mind. She internalized the message: If I follow my purpose, I’ll abandon my children. I’ll hurt them, just like I was hurt.
That belief didn’t form in her logic. It formed in her nervous system.
Fear Disguised as Love
Once she understood the part’s intention, to keep her safe and to protect her kids, the shift began.
This part of her wasn’t just guarding her. It was trying to make sure her daughters never experienced what she did.
And while that intention was loving, it was no longer necessary. Because now, as a 49-year-old woman, she’s not the same as her 11-year-old self or her mother.
She’s emotionally mature. Present. Attuned. Her daughters, aged 10, 17, and 20, are thriving. They want her to pursue her purpose. And not pursuing it? That’s what’s actually causing harm now.
"I’ve set a really good foundation for my girls," she said. "At this point, not doing anything more would actually affect them."
Releasing the Pattern with Compassion
We asked the part what it needed to feel safe letting go. The answer was simple.
It needed a reminder.
A reminder that pursuing her purpose wasn’t selfish or unsafe. It was actually for her daughters. It was about becoming the woman she would want them to grow into.
Once that became her North Star, the part softened.
"Would you be willing to loosen your grip?"
"Yes."
Gratitude and Closure
We closed the session with gratitude. She thanked the part that had protected her for nearly four decades.
"You’ve been keeping me safe for 38 years. But I don’t need you in the same way anymore."
When she checked in with her body, the part that once lived in her throat?
"Clear. Just regular."
Meeting the Younger Self
To complete the healing, I invited her to picture her 11-year-old self.
She saw her. And she spoke to her directly.
"I’ve got this now. You don’t have to protect my girls from what you experienced. I can take it from here."
She thanked her for creating that part. And just like that, the burden lifted.
What This Means for You
If you resonated with any part of this story, take a moment. Breathe. Let it land.
So often, we judge ourselves for being stuck. We tell ourselves to push harder, to figure it out, to stop being afraid. But what if your resistance isn’t something to fight? What if it’s a part of you that’s been trying to protect your heart, your family, your identity?
This is the power of working with the subconscious. It doesn’t require you to dig through years of logic or force your way forward. It meets you right where you are with compassion, curiosity, and clarity. You don’t need to bulldoze your blocks. You just need to understand them, and once you do, that’s when things begin to open up. The fear softens, the clarity returns, and the next step doesn’t feel so scary anymore.
If this session stirred something in you, and you’re curious what it might be like to be coached by me in a similar way, you can apply for your own 1:1 hypnocoaching session. I work with a small number of clients each month, and spots are limited.
Click here to schedule your Connection Call.
You’ll share a bit about what you’re navigating, and we’ll go from there.
You don’t have to keep doing this alone.
Your story can shift. And so can your life.
You can also find me on Instagram or Facebook. I would love to hear what resonated with you or answer any questions you have.
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