What do you mean by stagnating, exactly?

well I'm in the process of having made the same mistake I've made in the last few dozen opportunities in my life, so I'm stagnant in a very bumpy way. I get used to it.

This depends on the situation. If the stagnation is part of a long-term program with a finite conclusion, then I ride it out while planning the next phase. If the stagnation is due to a temporary lull in life, then I seek out something totally new and unique, and then immerse myself in it.

“Those who cannot change their minds cannot change anything.”
― George Bernard Shaw

What do you mean by stagnating, exactly?

"I'm in a groove now—
Or is it a rut?"

Stagnating as in, not moving forward. Same thing, over and over. Groundhog Day, but without the personal growth.

I'm taking classes and performing and stuff; I guess my fear is that I'll never improve, never get any better (more as a person than at a particular skill). No one likes making the same mistakes over and over again.

I think of those times more as plateaus. I see them as times when I haven't really learned how to exploit everything I know at that point, that I haven't fully internalized the techniques. Kind of like paying your dues.

I had one playing guitar that lasted for decades, and I thought I would never progress beyond competent semi-pro. Then a couple years ago, I busted through that wall and now I can see the possibility of taking everything guitar up another notch.

great quote twiggy

I hear you. I think one thing I'm struggling with right now, performance-wise, is establishing my niche. A personal brand, if you will. But that's sort of the flip side of a rut, isn't it? You may do similar things, but you play them up, so that people can say, "Gee, I need a guy who can do improv but can also rock a motorcycle and talk about his participation in the internet's best community weblog. Where can I -- OH HEY THAT EIDETEKER GUY."

They might not necessarily go that specific, but you want people to be able to think of you. And they'll know you have a certain level of competency (e.g., they are well aware they're getting you and not one of the guys from Whose Line Is It Anyway)... and they'll be cool with that, because you are a known quantity and they like you.

Stagnating as in, not moving forward. Same thing, over and over. Groundhog Day, but without the personal growth.

Welcome to adulthood.

Do whatever the all-seeing, all-judging eye tells you to do.

You know that.

I won't report you this time.

Welcome to adulthood.

That's what I'm worried about.

I find that stagnation is part of my growth process. There's a period of exploration, followed by growth, followed by contentment, followed by stagnation/boredom, followed by anxiety, leading back to exploration. I think feeling stagnant can be a necessary component of moving forward.

When I have a just normal period in my life - just going to work, exercising, reading, and sleeping - I can feel antsy for the next project or new person or interest to come along. I make a point to remember that this time is good time. I tell myself, "well, I'm in a bit of a rut, but it's a darn sight better than when I was unemployed and my brother was in a coma."