E09: Stagnation: Still or Moving

Have you ever felt like life is stuck on repeat? Like you’re moving through the days, but nothing is really changing? That’s stagnation—the feeling of being stuck, unmotivated, and unsure of what’s next.

On a recent walk with my family, I stumbled upon a simple yet powerful metaphor for this feeling—a pond, sitting still, while a stream flowed beside it. One was vibrant and full of life. The other? Motionless, dull, and covered in algae. And it made me think—how often do we become like that pond?

In this episode, we’ll explore why we get stuck, how stagnation creeps in, and—most importantly—how to break free from it. Because life is meant to flow, not stay still. Let’s dive in.

Transcript

Podcast Episode: "Stagnation" 

Welcome back to my thoughts, I'm Alvat Garewal. Today, I want to talk about something we all experience at some point in life—stagnation. That feeling of being stuck, like every day is just a repeat of the last. No movement, no growth, no excitement. 

A few days ago, I was out walking with my family when we came across a beautiful old church, breathtaking views, and towering trees. As we explored further, we spotted what looked like a river down a steep gradient. Naturally, we made our way down, only to realize that what we had seen wasn’t entirely a river—it was a pond, sitting still, while a stream ran adjacent to it. 

At first glance, the pond and the stream seemed similar—they were both bodies of water. But as I observed them, I started noticing the differences. The stream was clear, moving smoothly and continuously. The pond, however, was still, covered in algae. Someone in my group asked, What’s wrong with this water? And that’s when it hit me. 

This water is stagnant. It has nowhere to go. No movement. No outlet. 

And that’s exactly what happens to us in life when we stop moving forward. When we stop growing, learning, or challenging ourselves, we become like that pond—stagnant, dull, and lifeless. 

Why Do We Get Stuck? 

There are many reasons why we find ourselves in this state. Sometimes, we get too comfortable. Other times, fear holds us back. Maybe we’re drained, exhausted, and just don’t have the energy to push forward. Or maybe, we don’t know where to go next. But no matter the reason, stagnation creeps in when we lose our direction—when we stop having an outlet. 

And when that happens, time feels like it’s standing still. Every hour, every day, every week blends into one. 

So how do we break free from it? 

Finding Flow Again 

We need movement. We need purpose. We need something to charge our mind. Just like the stream was constantly flowing, we need to create our own flow in life. And this can take many forms: 

• ●  Setting a new goal 
• ●  Starting a new project 
• ●  Taking on a challenge 
• ●  Building new relationships 
• ●  Expanding your circle of friends 
• ●  Exploring a career change 
• ●  Learning a new skill 
• When we introduce new energy into our lives, we create motion. And motion leads to momentum. 
• Small Steps, Big Change 
• Breaking out of stagnation doesn’t always mean making a huge, life-altering decision. It starts with small steps. Maybe it’s reading a book on a subject you’ve never explored before. Maybe it’s reaching out to someone and reconnecting. Maybe it’s challenging yourself to wake up earlier and start the day differently. 
• Small actions lead to bigger change. And over time, that movement creates a flow—just like the stream. 
• The Power of an Outlet 
• The difference between the stagnant pond and the flowing stream was simple—the stream had an outlet. It wasn’t stuck in one place. It had somewhere to go. 
• In life, we need outlets too. We need a way to express ourselves, to release our energy, to engage with the world. This could be through creative work, physical movement, conversations, problem-solving, or helping others. When we engage, we move. And when we move, we grow. 
• Final Thoughts 
• If you’re feeling stuck, like life has become repetitive and uninspiring, ask yourself: Do I have an outlet? Am I moving toward something? If the answer is no, it’s time to introduce something new. 
• You don’t have to change everything overnight. Just start moving—one small step at a time. Find your flow again, and soon enough, life won’t feel stagnant anymore. 
• Because we don’t want to be like that still, lifeless pond. We want to be like the stream—constantly moving, evolving, and full of life. 
• How Do We Apply This? 
• Let’s break it down practically: 

Pause. Recognize when you’re feeling stuck. Ask yourself: Why do I feel this way? What’s missing? 

Reframe. Is this a permanent state, or can I take small actions to create movement?
Take Small Action. One small change today can start the flow of energy again. What’s one 

thing you can do right now to introduce movement in your life?
Share It. Help someone else who may be feeling the same. Stagnation is common, but 

together, we can encourage each other to find momentum. 

Thank you for tuning in today. If this episode resonated with you, share it with someone who might need to hear it too. 

So, until next time. 

You are in my thoughts.