Why You Are Not Stuck but Scared of What Comes Next
- 2 hours ago
- 3 min read
Valerie Priester empowers high-achieving women entrepreneurs who know they’re capable of more to break through internal barriers and scale with purpose.
There’s a quiet sentence I hear from women all the time. “I feel stuck.” They say it softly, sometimes with frustration, sometimes with shame, often with exhaustion.
But when we slow the moment down and look closer, what they’re actually describing isn’t stagnation. It’s fear. And there’s a powerful difference.
Being stuck implies powerlessness. Being scared implies possibility. One suggests there’s no way forward. The other suggests there is something meaningful on the other side.
If you feel stuck right now, I want you to consider something gently. What if you’re not stuck? What if you’re standing at the edge of expansion?
The mislabeling of fear
Fear is not dramatic most of the time. It rarely looks like panic. More often, it looks like:
Procrastination
Overthinking
Researching one more thing
Tweaking instead of launching
Planning instead of moving
Fear can feel responsible. It can feel strategic. It can even feel wise. But underneath it is a quieter truth.
You’re afraid of what happens if you actually move. Afraid of failing. Afraid of being visible. Afraid of succeeding and having to sustain it. Afraid of outgrowing your current identity.
That’s not stuck. That’s expansion knocking.
Why calling yourself “stuck” is costly
Words matter. When you tell yourself you’re stuck, your nervous system hears: “There’s nothing I can do.” When you acknowledge that you’re scared, your system hears: “This matters.”
Fear shows up when something meaningful is at stake. No one feels fear about something that doesn’t matter.
So instead of asking, “Why am I stuck?” Try asking, “What am I afraid would happen if I moved?” That single question shifts you from powerless to powerful.
Three steps to move forward when fear is present
You don’t need to eliminate fear before acting. You need to move with it. Here’s how.
1. Name the real fear
Be specific. Not, “I’m scared it won’t work.” What exactly are you afraid of?
Looking foolish?
Being judged?
Losing money?
Being seen as too much?
Clarity reduces the power of vague fear. Write it down. Speak it out loud. Make it concrete. Fear loses intensity when it’s named precisely.
2. Shrink the move
Fear thrives on large, undefined leaps. Instead of asking, “How do I build the whole thing?” Ask, “What is the smallest visible action I can take?”
Send the email. Post the idea. Have the conversation. Outline the offer. Momentum begins with micro-brave moves. Not massive leaps.
3. Separate identity from outcome
This is where most women get tangled. They don’t fear the action itself. They fear what the outcome will say about them.
“If this fails, it means I’m not cut out for this.” “If this doesn’t work, it means I’m not enough.”
But outcomes are data. They are not declarations about your identity. The moment you separate action from identity, courage becomes available.
Fear is not a stop sign
Fear is often a signal that you are close to something important. Close to visibility. Close to growth. Close to alignment. Close to a new version of yourself.
If you’ve been calling yourself stuck, pause. You might just be scared. And scared is workable. Scared still moves. Scared still builds. Scared still shows up.
The women who grow are not fearless. They simply refuse to let fear make the final decision.
Ready to claim your next level?
If you’ve been calling yourself stuck, consider the possibility that you’re not stuck at all. You’re standing at the edge of expansion, and expansion requires courage.
You don’t need to eliminate fear before you move. You need support, clarity, and a willingness to take the next step anyway.
If you’re tired of circling in doubt and you’re ready to step into clarity, confidence, and courageous visibility, I’d love to help.
Book a free Next-Level Clarity Session with me this month. In just 30 minutes, we’ll pinpoint the invisible blocks keeping you small and map the exact steps that move you toward your next level of success. Click here to schedule your next-level clarity session.
Or download my free guide, Break Through Your Confidence Plateau, and rebuild the self-belief that fuels consistent, visible action. Click here to get your guide now.
Designing your victory is a choice. Start by choosing to be seen.
Valerie Priester, Mindset & Strategy Catalyst for Women Entrepreneurs
Valerie Priester empowers high-achieving women entrepreneurs who know they’re capable of more to break through internal barriers and scale with purpose. As Founder of Victorious Life Coaching LLC, Valerie blends deep mindset work with values-aligned business strategy, ensuring her clients don’t just set bold goals, they implement them with confidence and consistency.
