When life feels like it’s falling apart, it can be hard to know where to even start fixing things. Whether it’s relationships, work, or just feeling lost, picking up the pieces can feel overwhelming. But one step at a time, you can start putting things back together. Here are 17 real, practical steps to help you fix the parts of your life that feel broken.
1. Figure Out What’s Really Not Working
The first step is getting clear on what exactly feels broken. Is it your job? Your relationships? Your health? Take some time to sit with yourself and really dig into what’s bothering you. Once you know what’s wrong, you can start making a plan to fix it.
2. Tackle It One Step at a Time
Trying to fix everything at once is a fast track to feeling overwhelmed. Slow down and break things up into smaller, manageable steps. If it’s your career that’s stressing you out, maybe the first step is updating your resume. For health, maybe it’s booking that overdue doctor’s appointment. One small step at a time makes it all less overwhelming.
3. Set Goals That You Can Actually Reach
When life feels out of control, setting unrealistic goals won’t help. Start with goals that are realistic and achievable. If you’re trying to get in shape, start by walking 30 minutes three times a week instead of trying to run a marathon in a month. Setting small, reachable goals will help you better see your progress.
4. Talk It Out with Someone You Trust
Sometimes, talking things through with a friend, family member, or therapist can give you a whole new perspective. They might help you see things more clearly or offer solutions you hadn’t thought of. And if nothing else, venting to someone who cares can make you feel a lot less alone in whatever you’re dealing with.
5. Be Kind to Yourself—You’re Doing Your Best
It’s easy to beat yourself up when things aren’t going well, but that doesn’t help. Instead, try to show yourself some compassion. Imagine that you’re talking to the child version of yourself; you wouldn’t be berating them the way you berate yourself now, would you? Acknowledge that you’re doing the best you can right now.
6. Create a Routine That Gives You Stability
When life feels chaotic, creating some structure does more help than you could imagine. A routine doesn’t have to be rigid—it just needs to be something small and simple that helps you feel in control. Maybe it’s setting regular wake-up times, scheduling a daily self-care hour, or setting aside time to work out. A little structure goes a long way when everything feels overwhelming.
7. Focus on What You Can Control
There’s a lot in life that’s outside of our control, and focusing on those things can leave you feeling stuck and helpless. Instead of concentrating on what you can’t control, try to shift your focus to the things you can control, like your attitude, your choices, or your daily habits. It’ll give you back your sense of empowerment.
8. Cut Out the Toxic Stuff (or People)
If there are toxic people, habits, or environments in your life, it’s time to distance yourself from them. Surrounding yourself with negativity only makes things harder. It might be tough, but letting go of what (or who) drags you down is key to healing and moving forward. Whether it’s bad friends or a bad habit like smoking—it’s time to go.
9. Take Care of Your Body
When life feels broken, it’s easy to forget about your physical health. But your body and mind are connected, and taking care of one helps the other. Start with the basics: get enough sleep, move your body in a way that feels good, and eat food that nourishes you. You’ll be surprised at how much better you feel when you take care of your body.
10. Don’t Be Afraid to Ask for Help
You don’t have to do this alone. Whether it’s a therapist, coach, or just someone who’s been through similar struggles, you’re never too tough to ask for help. Sometimes, getting professional support gives you the tools you need to really turn things around.
11. Learn to Say No
When life feels overwhelming, sometimes it’s because you’re trying to do too much. Learn to say no to things that drain your energy—whether it’s extra work, social obligations, or helping others at your own expense. Putting these boundaries in place can free up time and space for what really matters.
12. Own Up to Your Role in the Problem
Being kind to yourself doesn’t mean avoiding responsibility. Take an honest look at your actions and recognize where your choices might have contributed to the situation. This isn’t about making yourself feel bad—it’s about accepting the truth and empowering yourself to make better choices moving forward.
13. Write It All Down
Journaling is such a powerful way to process what you’re going through. Writing down your thoughts and feelings might feel silly at first, but you’d be surprised at how it can help you sort out what’s going on in your head. Plus, it gives you a chance to track your progress and look back to see how far you’ve come.
14. Reconnect with What Brings You Joy
When life feels broken, it’s easy to lose sight of the things that make you happy. Take time to reconnect with your passions—whether that’s painting, gardening, reading, or spending time outdoors. Set aside an hour a day to get back to doing the things you once loved and watch your happiness return and your creativity reignite.
15. Surround Yourself with Positive, Uplifting People
The people around you can have a huge impact on your mindset. When things aren’t going well for you, you need to be spending time with people who lift you up, encourage you, and remind you that you’re capable of handling whatever life throws your way. Supportive relationships are one of the best parts of life.
16. Celebrate Every Little Win
When you’re working on fixing things, the progress can feel slow. But even the smallest steps forward are worth celebrating. Whether it’s making that phone call you’ve been putting off or simply getting through the day with a better mindset, celebrate the little victories—no matter how small they seem.
17. Embrace Change, Even If It’s Scary
Fixing what’s broken often means stepping out of your comfort zone and making changes. It can be scary, but change is also where growth happens. Instead of fearing it, try to see it as a chance to start fresh and build something better. Your future self is already thanking you for it.
