I Am TIRED of Feeling Lost!
Feeling lost can be overwhelming, and you’re not alone in experiencing it.
I was my mom’s go-to person for most of my life. When she passed away in 2019, everything felt like it stopped. I was frozen not knowing what to do with myself. My life revolved around hers.
Now that I reached the age of 60, I realize, it’s important to remember that it’s okay to feel this way and that it’s possible to find your way again. Here are a few compassionate ideas to help you regain a sense of purpose and meaning, with suggestions on how each step can help guide you back to feeling more grounded:
Set Small, Gentle Goals
How it helps: Even the simplest tasks can seem daunting when life feels overwhelming. Start by setting small, kind goals for yourself — things you know you can manage. Achieving these will help rebuild your confidence and remind you that you’re capable, one step at a time.
Create a Space for Self-Reflection
How it helps: Sometimes, the answers we seek are already inside us, waiting to be heard. Take time each day to sit with your thoughts and feelings, perhaps by journaling or meditating. It’s a chance to connect with yourself and better understand what might be causing the sense of being lost.
Explore New Passions or Hobbies, Without Pressure
How it helps: Trying out new activities can be a gentle way to bring a little joy back into your life. There’s no need to be perfect or even good at it — explore what feels right. You might find something that sparks a little light inside you.
Reach Out to Someone You Trust
How it helps: You don’t have to figure it all out alone. Sometimes, sharing your feelings with a mentor, friend, or coach can provide comfort and offer new perspectives. They can help you see possibilities you might not see on your own.
Limit Social Media to Protect Your Peace
How it helps: It’s easy to feel lost when you’re constantly comparing yourself to others. Give yourself permission to step away from social media for a while. Focus on your journey, without the distraction of what others seem to be doing.
Create a Simple, Soothing Routine
How it helps: When life feels chaotic, having a daily routine can bring a sense of safety and stability. It doesn’t have to be complicated — just a few things you do each day to get some order and peace into your life.
Talk to a Therapist — It’s Okay to Ask for Help
How it helps: Sometimes, feeling lost runs deep, and it’s okay to seek professional support. A therapist can help you navigate your emotions and work through things that may feel too heavy to carry alone.
Reconnect with Activities You Once Loved
How it helps: Think back to what used to bring you joy, whether it’s painting, playing music, or spending time outdoors. Reconnecting with these activities can remind you of who you are beyond the current feeling of being lost. I loved upcycling my clothing and I started sewing again.
Simplify Your Surroundings
How it helps: Our environment affects our mindset. If your space feels cluttered, it might be contributing to a feeling of being overwhelmed. Try tidying up little by little — creating a more calming space can help bring clarity.
Nurture a Love for Learning
How it helps: Taking a course or reading a book on a topic that interests you can spark curiosity and excitement. It’s a way to reconnect with your natural sense of wonder and possibility, without any pressure to have all the answers.
Embrace Mindfulness to Connect with the Present
How it helps: It’s easy to get caught up in worrying about the future or dwelling on the past. Mindfulness practices, like meditation or breathing exercises, can help bring your focus back to the present moment, where you can find peace.
Move Your Body with Kindness
How it helps: Physical activity can lift your mood, but it doesn’t have to be intense. A gentle walk, some light stretching, or dancing around your living room can release stress and help you feel more connected to your body. I picked YOGA as my go-to.
Set Boundaries to Protect Your Energy
How it helps: Identify relationships, situations, or habits that drain you. It’s okay to say no to things that don’t serve you right now. By setting boundaries, you create space to focus on your healing and well-being.
Change Your Environment, Even if Just for a Day
How it helps: Sometimes, a change of scenery can offer a fresh perspective. It could be a weekend getaway or simply spending the day at a park. A different environment might help you see things in a new light.
Cultivate a Gratitude Practice, One Moment at a Time
How it helps: Even in the darkest times, there are small things to be grateful for. Write down one or two things you appreciate each day, no matter how simple. This practice can help shift your focus from what feels wrong to what is still good.
Break Down Big Goals into Small Steps, with Compassion
How it helps: When big goals seem overwhelming, it’s okay to take them one tiny step at a time. Each small step is progress, and it’s enough. There’s no rush, only your own gentle pace.
Surround Yourself with People Who Lift You Up
How it helps: Spend time with people who make you feel loved and supported. It’s okay to lean on others when you’re feeling lost — sometimes, their warmth and encouragement can help light the way.
Release the Need to Be Perfect
How it helps: You don’t have to have everything figured out. Let go of the idea that you need to be perfect, or that your path has to be clear right now. Embrace the messiness of life and trust that it’s okay to grow slowly.
I’ve learnt it’s okay to feel lost. You’re not failing — you’re finding your way. Take it one day at a time, and be gentle with yourself in the process.
