5 Things You Can Do Today to Get Unstuck in Your Third Act
Simple Shifts That Can Reignite Your Momentum
There’s a moment in the third act of life when everything feels… paused. Not broken. Not necessarily bad. Just stuck. Maybe you’re doing the same things, thinking the same thoughts, and running the same routines day after day. You’re not alone.
So many of us reach a point in midlife where we know something needs to change—but we don’t know what or how. That’s exactly what this week’s episode of Third Act Unscripted is about. We’re sharing five practical, accessible things you can do today to start shifting your energy, breaking up the monotony, and reconnecting with a version of you that feels more alive.
Here’s a deeper dive into those five things—because the truth is, this season of life doesn’t have to be about reinvention in some grand, overwhelming way. It can be about tiny shifts that lead to massive clarity. And that’s where the magic begins.
1. Let Go of Something in Your Physical Space
Release clutter to make space—for everything else.
It might sound simple, but cleaning out a junk drawer, donating old clothes, or sorting through that pile of unopened mail on the counter can spark surprising momentum. Decluttering your physical environment often creates space in your emotional and mental world, too.
Katie shares how she recently let go of a ski jacket she’d been holding onto for decades—one that hadn’t seen a mountain in years. And yet, the act of releasing it created a sense of lightness and movement. It doesn’t have to be dramatic. Start small. A drawer. A shelf. A corner of your closet. You’re not just organizing—you’re making room for a new season of life to enter.
2. Change Your Soundtrack
Your playlist is powerful. Use it.
Music holds memories. We all have songs that take us straight back to a moment in time—like the ACDC track that makes you feel 22 again, dancing in a dive bar with your best friends. But if you’re stuck in the past, you might also be stuck in the soundtrack of your past.
In the episode, Annie talks about her recent Hamilton obsession—not just because it’s catchy (though it is), but because it was something new. New music wakes up your senses, disrupts your usual inner monologue, and can inspire fresh thoughts and feelings. It’s a mini energy reset.
Try this: pick an artist, genre, or playlist you’ve never explored. Let yourself experience it without judgment. Notice how it makes you feel. Who knows—it might just become the anthem for your third act.
3. Shift a Routine
Even the smallest changes can rewire your brain.
Here’s the good news: you don’t need to move to Spain to shake up your life. But if you want to feel different, you have to do something different—and it can start with brushing your teeth with your non-dominant hand.
Yes, really.
Changing small routines helps create new neural pathways in the brain, which in turn helps break the autopilot cycle that keeps us stuck. That means new thoughts, new energy, and new opportunities can actually register. Drive a new route to work. Visit a different coffee shop. Take your walk in the evening instead of the morning.
In the episode, Katie shares how her time in Spain flipped her whole routine upside down—and how powerful that was. She worked in the evenings and prioritized joy during the day. That kind of full life inversion isn’t always realistic, but the spirit of it is: you get to choose what your days look like. Even small changes can offer a sense of renewed possibility.
4. Do Something That Scares You
Courage is a muscle. Use it.
You don’t have to skydive or start a business (unless you want to!). But you do have to stretch a little if you want to feel alive again. One of the fastest ways to shake off stagnation is to do something that makes your nervous system say, “Wait, what are we doing?”
That’s fear—and it’s also a gateway to growth.
In the episode, we talk about “courage chemicals”—the dopamine and adrenaline rush that comes from stepping outside your comfort zone. It could be something as simple (and terrifying) as holding a gerbil at Petco if you’re afraid of rodents. Or going to a Toastmasters meeting if public speaking makes your hands shake. Or finally standing up to someone with a single word: “Ouch.”
You don’t need a perfect plan. You just need a little willingness to do the scary thing. That moment of bravery changes you. It creates a new sense of possibility. And over time, it strengthens your courage muscle for the next big (or small) leap.
5. Tell Yourself the Truth
Stop pretending. Start listening.
There’s a very real kind of exhaustion that comes from pretending. Pretending you still love your job. Pretending you’re not overwhelmed. Pretending that you’re fulfilled when you’re not. In our experience, the truth is often the first step toward getting your energy back.
So what would it look like to simply admit what’s real?
You don’t have to make sweeping changes overnight. But you do have to be honest with yourself if you want to move forward. If you’re tired, ask why. If something doesn’t light you up anymore, give yourself permission to question it. That moment of honesty is incredibly freeing. It’s where clarity starts to take root.
This Isn’t Reinvention. It’s Reconnection.
The third act doesn’t demand you change who you are. It asks you to remember who you are. And sometimes, the path back to yourself starts with releasing a coat, dancing to a new song, saying “ouch,” or brushing your teeth with your left hand.
You don’t need to leap before you’re ready. You just need to move—gently, curiously, courageously—in the direction of who you’re becoming.
So, what’s one thing you can do today to get unstuck? What’s the smallest shift that would bring you back to life?
We’d love to know. Join the conversation, share your thoughts, and take the next right step with us.
Resources
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Key Takeaways
Decluttering your space can help shift your mental and emotional energy.
Changing your music can spark new emotions and creativity.
Adjusting routines helps interrupt the autopilot loop and opens your mind to new possibilities.
Doing something scary builds confidence and generates powerful “courage chemicals.”
Being honest with yourself is often the most freeing and energizing first step toward change.