Stuck Between a Rock and a Hard Place? Here’s How to Get Out

Ever found yourself in a situation where no option feels like a good one? You know - the kind where you’re damned if you do and damned if you don’t. Maybe you’re drowning in work but terrified to say no. Perhaps you’re debating a career move but equally horrified at the thought of change. Or maybe it’s something as simple (yet agonising) as choosing between a salad and a burger when all you really want is chips.

Welcome to the rock and a hard place club - membership is free, but the mental toll is exhausting.

Why Do We Get Stuck?

Finding yourself wedged between two equally unappealing options is often a result of:

🔹 Fear of making the wrong choice – Because what if you mess up spectacularly and your life spirals into chaos? (Spoiler: It probably won’t.)

🔹 Overthinking every possible outcome – Because obviously, you must analyse all 327 ways this decision could go horribly wrong.

🔹 Trying to please everyone – Because heaven forbid someone thinks you’re difficult/selfish/unreasonable (even if their expectations are wildly unfair).

🔹 Feeling like there’s no good way out – Because when you're overwhelmed, all options feel equally terrible.

And so, we do what any rational person would do: nothing. We stay stuck, stressed, and secretly hope a miraculous third option appears out of nowhere. (It won’t.)

So, What’s the Way Out?

The good news? There’s always a way forward. It might not be perfect, but progress beats paralysis every time.

1. Get Out of Your Own Head

If you’re overthinking yourself into oblivion, take a step back. Write things down, talk it out, or even say your options out loud. Sometimes, just hearing yourself can make the best choice clearer.

2. Stop Aiming for Perfect

Perfection is a myth. No decision comes with a 100% guarantee. Instead, ask yourself: What’s the best option with the information I have right now? That’s all you can do.

3. Identify the REAL Fear

Often, it’s not the decision itself that’s scary - it’s what it represents. Are you afraid of failure? Judgment? Change? Once you name the fear, it’s easier to tackle.

4. Flip the Perspective

Imagine you’re giving advice to a friend in your exact situation. What would you tell them? Odds are, you’d be much kinder and more logical than you are to yourself.

5. Take Action—Any Action

The longer you stay stuck, the worse it feels. Pick a direction, take a small step, and adjust as you go. You can course-correct, but you can’t steer a parked car.

What If There Is a Better Option?

Sometimes, the reason we feel trapped is that we’re only looking at the obvious choices - when in reality, there’s another way. That’s where coaching can help. Instead of staying stuck in the same loop, coaching helps you:

✔ See new possibilities you might have missed
✔ Get clear on what you actually want (not just what you think you should do)
✔ Make decisions with confidence instead of panic
✔ Break out of analysis paralysis and start moving forward
✔ Learn practical strategies to handle uncertainty and change

With the right support, you don’t have to stay wedged between impossible choices. Coaching helps you find a way through - one that aligns with your goals, values, and the life you actually want.

So, if you’re stuck between a rock and a hard place, ask yourself: What’s one small step I can take today to move forward?

Because staying stuck is exhausting - but getting unstuck? That’s where the magic happens.