#227: You Can’t Keep Going Like This: What to Do When You’re Emotionally Flatlining
"Everything looked fine… but it felt wrong." That one sentence captures what so many of us live through, quietly. In relationships. In work. In life.
Nothing has blown up. No one’s yelling. On the surface, things seem okay. But inside? You know something is off.
This week on Love Shack Live, I (Brooke) stepped into the host seat to share something deeply personal: the moment I realized I was emotionally flatlining in our brand.
And more importantly, how that experience mirrored what so many people go through in their relationships every single day.
Let’s talk about what to do when you can’t keep going like this.
Stop Fixing the Symptoms. Start Naming the Pattern.
When I first started feeling misaligned with our brand, I didn’t say anything.
I just kept tweaking things. Fonts. Colors. A headline here, a phrase there.
That’s what we do in relationships, too. We adjust our tone. We plan more date nights. We put a smile on. We tell ourselves: Just keep going.
But those surface-level tweaks don’t fix the deeper issue. They don’t touch the truth we’re afraid to name:
This isn’t working for me anymore.
ACTION STEP: Take five minutes to journal. Ask yourself: What have I been trying to "tweak" that might actually need a deeper change?
Recognize Emotional Flatlining for What It Is
Emotional flatlining doesn’t always look like drama.
Sometimes it’s just a quiet dread. A lack of spark. A numbness that creeps in.
In our case, I blurted out: "I hate our website."
That hit hard. I built that website. I poured myself into it. But I was burned out. Disconnected. Tired of pretending it was still working.
Sound familiar?
Flatlining is the moment when something you once loved no longer brings you alive—and you can’t fake it anymore.
ACTION STEP: Name it. Say it out loud. Even just to yourself. Try this sentence: There’s a part of my life I’ve been pretending to love, but I actually feel __________.
The Separation Survival Kit
Feeling lost after your partner asked for space? The Separation Survival Kit has everything you need to regain your footing. Packed with practical tips and guided exercises, it’s designed to help you navigate the uncertainty and make empowered decisions—without the spiral of overthinking.
Understand That Timing Will Never Be Perfect
Here’s the thing: our rebrand came at the worst possible time.
We were slammed with client work. Launching new programs. Entering the corporate world.
But I knew if we didn’t address it now, we’d only be building more things on a foundation that no longer fit.
Same goes for relationships.
It never feels convenient to say: This dynamic isn’t working. Or I need something different. But delaying it doesn’t make the need go away.
ACTION STEP: If you’ve been holding back a conversation, schedule a quiet 30 minutes this week to speak honestly with someone who matters.
Don’t Confuse Silence with Support
When I first said it out loud—“I think we need a new website”—Staci was stunned. She later told me she was absolutely speechless. And the next morning? She woke up at dawn in a panic, texting me to say, “I don’t think we should do this.”
Her first response was fear. Not because she didn’t trust me, but because the timing felt impossible.
And yet, that’s exactly what made this moment real.
True conversations, whether about a rebrand or a relationship, don’t always begin with a “yes.” They start with disruption. With discomfort. With a deep breath and the willingness to let it be messy.
Sometimes the people who love you most will initially resist the truth you’re naming—especially when it impacts them too.
But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t say it.
ACTION STEP: Reflect on a moment where someone didn’t immediately agree with you. Was their reaction rooted in fear or resistance? What truth were you trying to bring forward?
Give Yourself a Better Framework Than Just “Talking It Out”
At Love Shack Live, we teach relationship skills. Emotional weightlifting. Repair rituals. Real conversations with structure and safety.
That’s what allowed us to navigate this rebrand without drama or disconnection.
In your own life? You need that too.
Whether it’s your business partner or your life partner, it’s not enough to just have courage. You also need tools.
That’s why we created programs like the 30-Day Roadmap, the Better Love Club, and our Communication Playbook.
ACTION STEP: If you’re craving more clarity in your connection, start here: Take the Self-Assessment Quiz and see what emotional skill you might be missing.
Final Thought: If You’re Sensing Something Is Off, Trust It.
So many people walk around with that quiet discomfort.
They stay in the room. They keep showing up. They keep checking boxes.
Until one day, they can’t.
Don’t wait for your burnout, your resentment, or your exhaustion to be the only voice that gets heard.
If something isn’t working anymore, that doesn’t mean you’ve failed.
It just means you’re ready to grow.
And that’s the whole point.
If this resonated with you, listen to the full episode: #226: You Can’t Keep Going Like This: What to Do When You’re Emotionally Flatlining
Resources mentioned in this episode:
Has your partner asked for space? Don’t panic—it’s not the end. It’s an opportunity to reflect, rebuild, and reconnect.
- Download the Separation Survival Kit: Your essential guide to managing emotional distance, staying grounded, and creating clarity during this uncertain time. Get it here: https://stacibartley.com/separation-survival-kit/optin
- Start Your Self-Paced 30-Day Roadmap: This flexible, step-by-step guide is designed to help you navigate emotional distance, honor your partner’s need for space, and rebuild trust—on your own terms and timeline. Learn more and get started today: https://stacibartley.com/self-paced/30-day-roadmap
- Discover All Our Programs: From expert mentorship to proven strategies, find the perfect fit to support your relationship journey. Explore here: https://stacibartley.com/programs/index/
- Exclusive for Podcast Listeners: Use the code LOVESHACK15 at checkout to unlock your special discount!
Take this moment as a chance to grow—both individually and together. ❤️
