What Real Plateaus Look Like: Stories from 100 People

Performance plateaus aren't just something athletes or professionals hit. They happen to all of us—in work, in relationships, in our bodies, in our minds, in our spirits. I asked 100 people to describe a plateau they’d experienced. Here are some of the stories that stood out.

Each one is real. Each one shows what it’s like to keep trying without seeing change.

🏅 Physical & Performance Plateaus

"When I was in high school, I went to the gym quite a bit but never really got bigger in the way my friends noticeably did. I definitely got stronger, but didn't really physically see any progress which discouraged me and is probably the main reason I don't like working out and don't really do it. I know this is a plateau that should be easy to get over, but I have never really been able to get over it and have really now for all extents and purposes given it up even though working out is definitely something I should be doing at least a little bit.

"Getting through a mental block in gymnastics. A mental block is when you are physically capable of doing a skill, but your mind is blocking you from doing it because you are afraid... you feel like you are trying so hard not to be afraid, but you are getting nowhere. It's very defeating and frustrating."

"I was a pre-professional ballet dancer for 14 years. My junior year of high school I got stuck in my skills, I could not improve, and I stopped placing in the top three for my competitions. I got so frustrated, so I just stopped setting goals for myself because I was scared of failure."

These examples show how plateaus can cause us to stop doing what we love and what we know is good for us.

🤝 Social & Relationship Plateaus

"My boyfriend and I had been dating for a few months and realized that we just kept getting into the same arguments over and over again about communication. It didn't feel like we were going to progress or that our relationship was sustainable."

"I have signed up for numerous mom groups and have tried to make it to social events with parents from my children's schools and then I will go radio silent for a few weeks after my attempt. I'm an introvert so it's tough."

"I’ve struggled with making friends who feel like true connections. I meet people, it goes well at first, then fizzles out. I wonder if it’s something I’m doing wrong."

Sometimes the plateau isn’t about progress you can measure—it's about the quality of our connections with people.

💼 Career & Academic Frustrations

"...I thought the sky was the limit. But when I made it to my current job role, I plateaued in a big way. The work became a slog. It took about a year to settle into the level of responsibility I had. I thought it would get easier over time, but it never did - I had reached my limit... So there I stayed for 7.5 years, doing everything I could to keep my head above water. I wasn't doing poorly, but the amount of time and effort I was putting in to do a decent job ultimately brought me to the realization that I had hit my limit ... I had also become increasingly disillusioned with the work.”

"A specific plateau I’ve experienced has been in my professional career.  As my career launched, my efforts were rewarded with success and promotions accordingly.  Later down the road however, I’ve been met with resistance trying to make it to the next level regardless of how much effort and good work I’ve put in."

"When I was a freshman in college, I kept trying to improve my math test scores to a B, but I did not. It felt like no matter how hard I worked or tried, I could not break 80%. It made me feel very discouraged."

Sometimes you put in the effort, follow the rules, and still don't get the outcome you expect. That disconnect can be deeply discouraging.

🧠 Mental & Emotional Growth Plateaus

"I have been trying to grow as a person but haven’t felt any change for years."

"A plateau that I continue to face deals with my depression... it seems like I have no luck and that I will just be stuck with this."

"I have arrived at a point where I can manage life and my health, yet, I seem to be stuck at a point where there's just that, a delicate balance.  I am constantly fighting not to tip over one side..., but I am unable to make this balance a natural state and go above and beyond on both sides. I wish I were able to surpass this plateau and get to the point where it is routine to take care of myself while maintaining high levels in other areas of life and be able to enjoy doing a bit more than just keep the balance"

These aren't about performance in the traditional sense. They're about the harder work of becoming who we want to be.

🔬 Focus & Cognitive Struggles

"I struggle a lot on being able to focus. Deep work is extremely hard for me... and it reflects on my studies."

"I've been studying Korean for 2 years, but now it seems like I forget everything and can't learn anything new."

Even our minds hit walls. And when progress is invisible or feels reversed, it can be harder to keep going.

✝️ Spiritual & Religious Plateaus

"One plateau I have experienced is a plateau in my religious beliefs. I am religious and have been since high school. I think that it's been hard to have moments where I connect with God in college because everything is moving so fast. Although I don't feel like I have necessarily 'declined' in my beliefs, I do feel like I don't have the 'fire' I used to have and it can be upsetting."

"I feel like I’m going through the motions spiritually. I still do the things I used to do, but they don’t feel the same. I miss that feeling of closeness with God, and I’m not sure how to get it back."

Spiritual plateaus can be especially disorienting because they’re tied to meaning, purpose, and connection beyond ourselves.

Final Thoughts

These stories show just how many different forms a plateau can take—and that you’re not alone if you feel stuck right now.

I have to admit that I was pretty moved emotionally when reading all these stories. I've experienced many plateaus myself in all these categories.