Feeling stuck is one of the worst feelings in the world.
The worst part?
There are too many “solutions” out there that end up creating overwhelm.
You could do this
You could do that
You could start a side hustle
You could start this business
You could start doing cold plunges
And the list goes on.
But when the solutions start to pile up, so does the confusion. You’re not just stuck anymore—you’re drowning in options.
That was me in 2022.
SIDE NOTE! I believe the best story you’ll ever read is your own. I’ve been journaling since I was a teenager, and as an adult, I started recording and documenting my life journey. I’m grateful I do because I can go back to this video and see how far I have come since then!
I was stuck, overwhelmed, and financially at zero.
After the crypto bear market, I decided to stop being a crypto degenerate and had no choice but to press the restart button.
I had no business, no cash flow, nothing.
My savings from what I made from crypto were shrinking every month
And while all of this was happening, I was dealing with the worst lower back pain of my life.
This was HANDS DOWN, one of the most challenging times of my life.
So, how did I get through it?
It came down to three things: praying, reflecting, journaling, and taking a social media sabbath.
Now, I know that might not sound like the most revolutionary approach, but hear me out.
1. Praying & Reflecting
When the prayers go up, the blessings come down.
It’s a simple concept that grounded me when everything else felt chaotic.
Praying and reflecting helped me realize that even though I was starting from zero, my worst-case scenario was still better than most people’s best-case scenario.
Tony Robbins says,
“When you are grateful, fear disappears, and abundance appears.”
That’s what happened.
I started focusing on what I had instead of what I didn’t have. And suddenly, I wasn’t as stuck as I thought.
2. Social Media Sabbath
IMO… I’d be DUMB AF if I didn’t admit that social media influences my thoughts.
We’re all influenced by it, whether we like it or not.
There’s a reason people like Cal Newport, author of Digital Minimalism, talk about the importance of unplugging.
The odds aren’t in your favor when you constantly consume other people’s ideas, opinions, and curated success stories.
When I took a step back from social media, I was finally able to hear my own thoughts again.
It’s crazy what clarity can come from silence.
3. Journaling
I’m not one of those people who writes to be poetic. When I journal, I brain dump everything—whatever’s on my mind, whatever loops are spinning in my head.
One thing I wrote during that time hit me hard:
“I may be starting from zero financially, but I’m not starting from zero in terms of skills or mindset.”
That was the turning point.
Suddenly, I wasn’t as “stuck” as I thought anymore.
I wasn’t starting from zero.
I had tools, experience, and lessons that could propel me forward.
This realization came from putting pen to paper and letting my mind process everything.
The Real Problem: Lack of Clarity
Here’s the thing: feeling stuck or overwhelmed?
It’s almost always caused by a lack of clarity.
You don’t know what to do next because you’re buried in noise, distractions, and uncertainty.
Praying, reflecting, taking a social media sabbath, and journaling—that’s what gave me clarity.
Clarity about who I am, what wisdom I already have, and what the next logical step should be.
Without those practices, I would have kept spinning my wheels, trying to do everything and getting nowhere.
But by stepping back, cutting out the noise, and allowing myself time to think, I gained the clarity I needed to make real progress.
I didn’t just get back on track…
I became a millionaire, scaled a business to 8-figures, eliminated my crippling back pain, and hired my sister and girlfriend to work alongside me.
These weren’t just random successes
They were the direct result of finding clarity in the middle of chaos.
Key Lessons
Gratitude is a superpower.
No matter how bad things get, there’s always something to be thankful for.
Gratitude turns fear into abundance.
Unplug to recharge.
Social media is like fast food for your mind. It gives you short-term satisfaction but drains mental energy in the long run.
When you unplug, you give your mind the space to think clearly and recharge.
You’re never really starting from zero.
Financially, maybe. But in terms of skills, experience, and lessons learned? You’re always carrying those with you.
Even if it feels like you’re back at the bottom, remember you’ve been through tough times before and are stronger for it.
Actionable Takeaways
Start your day with reflection.
Take 5-10 minutes in the morning to pray, meditate, or reflect on what you’re grateful for.
This will set the tone for the day and remind you of the blessings you already have.
Take a social media sabbath.
Step away from social media for a day, a weekend, or MONTHS
(Months is what I did).
You’ll be amazed at how much mental clarity you gain by stepping away from the noise.
Journal your thoughts
Just get your thoughts out on paper. Get it out of your head. Brain dump whatever’s on your mind and revisit it later.
You might find your turning point buried in those pages.
Final Thoughts
If you’re feeling stuck or overwhelmed
You might be facing tough times right now…
but you’ve survived 100% of your worst days so far.
You’ve been through harder, and you’ve figured things out before.
As Winston Churchill once said,
“Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.”
In the same way, it’s not about how far you’ve fallen—it’s about how much resilience, wisdom, and skill you keep through the fall.
Clarity comes from action, but only after you cut out the distractions.
When you take the time to slow down and focus on what really matters, every setback becomes a setup for your next breakthrough.
You’re not stuck
You’re distracted by noise
Cut the noise out my friend
I’m rooting for you.
— Joseph
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Inspiring, Joseph. The earned path is easier to navigate when it’s done with intention and integrity, for sure.
There's nothing that helps me more than journaling.
Your story was so inspiring Joseph. Enjoyed reading it!