Your life was supposed to be different. You weren’t supposed to be single, insecure, and financially unstable. And yet, here you are. When I was in my mid-twenties, I felt totally lost. I couldn’t leave the house without breaking down in tears. Even though things are better now, there are moments when I still don’t know what I’m doing. When that happens, I try to gain perspective and remind myself of these 13 things.
- It’s OK to feel lonely. There’s nothing wrong with feeling lost. In fact, pretty much everyone you know goes through a similar battle from time to time. Most of us feel like it’s us against the world, especially as we get older and have more and more responsibilities. Life isn’t easy. It’s exhausting and complicated. But it does get better, usually with help. Don’t be afraid to discuss your emotions with friends, family, or a professional.
- You don’t have to rush. Remove the timelines you have for yourself because they’re only making things harder. No one cares that you’re single and living with your parents. No one cares that you’re still trying to finish your degree. No one cares that you’ve been divorced… twice. You have your entire life to achieve your goals. Don’t rush your process.
- How you treat yourself matters. I get it, you feel like crap. But that doesn’t mean you can ruin your self-esteem and confidence. Don’t allow this feeling to stop you from taking care of yourself and feeding your soul with positivity. Stay healthy, spend time with friends, and remember who you are!
- It’s important to keep moving forward. No matter how lost or anxious you feel, you have to keep going. The worst thing you can do is let your emotions stop you from living life. I know that’s not always easy, especially when you’re feeling bad about everything. Whatever you do, you can’t retreat. If you do, you might lose yourself completely.
- You shouldn’t be afraid to try something new. Right now, you’re not following a specific compass. This means you have options, some of which you’ve always wanted but were too afraid to try. Screw fear! Try something new. Accept a job in a different city, go back to school, or start a blog. The best time to try something different is when you feel lost.
- You’re doing better than you think. Do you have a roof over your head? Do you have a job? Do you have a support system? You’re doing better than you might realize. There are a lot of people who don’t have anything. Count your blessings every day, so you gain perspective on how great your life really is.
- Comparison is natural. The truth is you’re always going to compare yourself to other people. That’s fine, just as long as you compare yourself to the right people. Don’t try to emulate men or women who are materialistic and stuck-up. Surround yourself with positive influences who inspire you to work hard.
- Don’t forget to pause and breathe. Take a few moments to breathe deeply, not only to lower your anxiety but to give you a moment to recharge and look around. There’s beauty everywhere all the time. You can’t appreciate it if you’re too busy focusing on your own problems. Breathe so you can pause and live in the present.
- It helps to figure out what you want. You’re lost because you don’t know what you want or where your life is going. The only way to fix those problems is by figuring it out. Write down ideas that will make you happy. So many of us make decisions based on what others want for us (or what we think they want). Stop doing that!
- Remember that everything is a test. How you deal with your emotions defines who you are. If you can work through these feelings and not let them deter you, you’ll become a stronger person. Not just that, but you’ll also become more confident. Everything is a test and every test will help you gain a profound respect for who you are.
- You should always have a backup plan. I’m not saying you won’t be able to achieve your dreams, but life doesn’t always work out the way we want. When that happens, it’s good to have a Plan B or Plan C to fall back on.
- This pain won’t last forever. What’s worrying you now won’t be a problem in a year or even a few months. I’m not saying you’ll be stress-free, but your current issue won’t exist. That’s life. Problems come and go. The stress and anxiety you’re currently feeling aren’t permanent. Remember that.
- You’re never too old to be lost. Whether you’re 18 or 40, you’re never too old to feel lost. As humans, we go through different phases. The phase you’re in right now might be one of struggle. But that doesn’t mean you should feel ashamed. Don’t let outside voices keep you from taking chances because you’re “too young” or “too old.” Do what you need to dig yourself out of this hole.
