86: Stuck Spouse? Here's How to Help!

Welcome Back to the Love How Deep Podcast. This is Episode 86.

Helping Your Stuck Spouse

Introduction

• Heather's opening question: Have you or your spouse ever felt overwhelmingly stuck?
• Relatability of feeling unable to move forward due to circumstances.
• Addressing the common frustration of wanting a stuck spouse to "just get over it."
• Highlighting the need for compassion and grace over irritation.

Heather's Personal Experience

• Sharing a recent personal experience of feeling stuck and distraught.
• Brian's supportive question: "What do you need from me?"
• Heather's inability to articulate her needs ("I just wanna curl up into a little ball and cry").
• The desire to withdraw and escape the situation.

Brian's Action and the Outcome

• Brian's proactive response: "You're getting outta this house. Let's go."
• Heather's initial resistance and lack of a destination.
• The simple act of leaving the house and going to a home store at the mall.
• Describing their shared experience in the store as akin to visiting a museum.
• The power of a change of scenery and shared focus on something neutral.
• Examples of their interactions and conversations that lifted Heather's mood (observing items, reminiscing).
• The positive impact of this outing on the rest of Heather's day.

The Encouragement and Challenge

• Heather's encouragement to listeners: If your spouse is stuck, get them out of the house.
• Anticipating potential resistance and suggesting a loving approach ("I'm doing this for you because I love you").
• Suggesting various simple activities: walks, visiting animal shelters, etc.
• The key is a change of environment to potentially brighten their mood.

Advice for the Stuck Spouse

• Direct address to listeners who might be feeling stuck.
• Encouragement to allow their spouse to help.
• Trusting their partner's initiative to provide a change of pace.
• Acknowledging the difficulty of moving forward when feeling stuck and the value of external help.

Conclusion and Call to Action

• Reiterating the challenge to actively help a stuck spouse.
• Reminder to subscribe to the Love How Deep YouTube channel and podcast.
• Mentioning their presence on Facebook and Instagram.
• Final encouraging words and sign-off.