How to Escape Purgatory: Tips to Reduce Your Time in Limbo

If you've ever felt stuck, trapped between two worlds, like you're going nowhere and you're not quite sure why, you're not alone. It can feel like you're in purgatory – that frustrating space where things seem to be in limbo. Whether it's a situation in life, a bad habit, or even an emotional state, the question "How do I reduce my time in purgatory?" is one I’ve asked myself many times. Let’s dive in and see how to cut down that purgatory time and get back on track.

Understanding Purgatory: What Does It Really Mean?

Well, before we even talk about how to shorten your stay, you have to first understand what "purgatory" actually is in the context of your life. We tend to think of it as a physical place, like an afterlife scenario. But, in reality, purgatory can be a metaphor for any feeling of stuckness, confusion, or delay in our lives.

It could be:

• A career rut that feels never-ending.

• A toxic relationship you can’t seem to get out of.

• A bad habit or addiction that’s hard to break.

• A financial hole you can’t seem to crawl out of.

It’s like being trapped between two extremes – not quite where you were, but definitely not where you want to be. But don't worry; it’s not permanent. And most importantly, it’s manageable.

My Own Experience With Purgatory

Honestly, I remember when I felt like I was stuck in this place for months. A few years ago, I was in a job that just wasn’t fulfilling, but I was too scared to leave. Every day felt like I was running on a treadmill, not going anywhere. I wasn’t happy, but I wasn’t ready to face the unknown either. I kept telling myself, "Well, I’ll just stick it out a little longer," and before I knew it, I was living in this self-made purgatory.

I had a conversation with a close friend, and she said something that really stuck with me: "You're not stuck. You're choosing to stay in that place." That hit me hard. It made me realize I had the power to make a change, but I had to stop lying to myself about it.

Step 1: Identify Why You’re Stuck

To reduce your time in purgatory, you have to figure out what exactly is keeping you there. Honestly, it’s not always obvious. It could be fear, complacency, or simply not knowing where to go next. Sometimes, you don't even realize you're in purgatory until you take a step back and look at your life with fresh eyes.

Is It Fear Holding You Back?

A lot of times, it’s fear that keeps us stuck. Fear of failure, fear of change, fear of being judged. I know for me, when I was in that job I hated, the fear of starting over paralyzed me. What if I couldn't find something better? What if I failed? Fear kept me in limbo longer than I should’ve been.

Are You Avoiding Responsibility?

Sometimes, we don’t want to face the reality of the situation. It’s easier to stay in purgatory because it’s familiar. It’s uncomfortable but safe. You’re not taking responsibility for the change you need. You keep saying, "Maybe tomorrow" or "I’ll deal with this next month." But tomorrow never comes, right?

Step 2: Take Small, Intentional Steps

Here’s where I made the biggest mistake: thinking I had to make a grand gesture or giant leap to change my life. Actually, it was the small, incremental steps that really helped me break free from purgatory.

Set Realistic Goals

When you’re stuck, trying to overhaul everything at once can be overwhelming. Take it one step at a time. If it’s a career change, start by updating your resume or looking into online courses. If it’s a personal habit you want to break, take one day at a time. Baby steps, my friend, baby steps.

I remember a conversation with my colleague at work, who was also looking for a new job. She set herself the goal of applying to just one job a day, and over a month, she had applied to 30 positions. That little goal turned into a real change for her.

Embrace the Power of "No"

Another thing that helped me was learning to say "No" more often. No to the distractions, no to people who drained my energy, no to things that kept me stuck. Saying "No" doesn’t just open up your time, it gives you space to focus on what really matters.

Step 3: Challenge Your Comfort Zone

Okay, so this one is tough. But listen, there’s no way around it: you have to step out of your comfort zone to escape purgatory. I get it – it's scary, and it feels easier to stay in a place you know rather than face the unknown.

But here’s the thing: growth happens outside of your comfort zone. When I finally quit my job (after months of hesitation), I was terrified. I didn’t have another one lined up, but I knew staying in the same place would only keep me stuck.

Try Something New (Even If It's Scary)

For me, it wasn’t just about changing my job, it was also about exploring new hobbies and interests that I’d pushed aside. You’d be amazed at how breaking the monotony of your routine can help you break free from that feeling of being in purgatory.

Step 4: Cultivate Patience and Self-Compassion

Okay, so here's the tough truth: reducing your time in purgatory doesn’t mean you’ll instantly feel free. It takes time. And that’s something I had to learn the hard way. Be kind to yourself as you navigate the change. Every step forward is progress, even if it feels slow.

You’ll encounter setbacks, doubts, and mistakes – and that’s okay. The key is not to give up. As I’ve learned, sometimes it’s the journey through purgatory that teaches you the most valuable lessons.

Embrace the Process

It took me almost a year before I felt truly free from the job I hated. But looking back, I’m so grateful for that time. It taught me patience, resilience, and the importance of self-care. Purgatory is not a punishment; it’s a reminder that you have the power to change your life, and it doesn’t have to be a huge, sudden leap.

Conclusion: Escape Purgatory One Step at a Time

Ultimately, the way out of purgatory isn’t a fast track. It’s about taking small, meaningful steps toward something better. You have to take ownership of where you are and take responsibility for where you want to go. Don’t let fear or complacency hold you back.

It’s a tough journey, but the good news is, you don’t have to do it alone. If you’re feeling stuck, talk to someone you trust, get some advice, or just vent. You’re more capable than you think, and trust me, the light at the end of the tunnel is much closer than it feels right now.

Take a deep breath, make that first move, and start your journey out of purgatory today.

Is 165 cm normal for a 15 year old?

The predicted height for a female, based on your parents heights, is 155 to 165cm. Most 15 year old girls are nearly done growing. I was too. It's a very normal height for a girl.

Is 160 cm too tall for a 12 year old?

How Tall Should a 12 Year Old Be? We can only speak to national average heights here in North America, whereby, a 12 year old girl would be between 137 cm to 162 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/3 feet). A 12 year old boy should be between 137 cm to 160 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/4 feet).

How tall is a average 15 year old?

Average Height to Weight for Teenage Boys - 13 to 20 Years

How to get taller at 18?

Staying physically active is even more essential from childhood to grow and improve overall health. But taking it up even in adulthood can help you add a few inches to your height. Strength-building exercises, yoga, jumping rope, and biking all can help to increase your flexibility and grow a few inches taller.

Is 5.7 a good height for a 15 year old boy?

Generally speaking, the average height for 15 year olds girls is 62.9 inches (or 159.7 cm). On the other hand, teen boys at the age of 15 have a much higher average height, which is 67.0 inches (or 170.1 cm).

Can you grow between 16 and 18?

Most girls stop growing taller by age 14 or 15. However, after their early teenage growth spurt, boys continue gaining height at a gradual pace until around 18. Note that some kids will stop growing earlier and others may keep growing a year or two more.

Can you grow 1 cm after 17?

Even with a healthy diet, most people's height won't increase after age 18 to 20. The graph below shows the rate of growth from birth to age 20. As you can see, the growth lines fall to zero between ages 18 and 20 ( 7 , 8 ). The reason why your height stops increasing is your bones, specifically your growth plates.