Feeling lost at any age is normal and can happen at anytime. You can feel lost when it comes to: a work task, a career path and your next steps in your life. There are bigger changes and decisions you have to make throughout your life and sometimes it can be difficult to know what to do or where to turn.
Feeling lost can have a negative impact on your mental health. Overthinking can creep in and so can self doubt, so it is important when you are feeling lost that you are creating positive mental health habits to allow you to gain perspective whilst keeping your mood high.
I felt lost when I had my work accident, I was off work, in and out of the doctors and hospital. I didn’t know when I was going to be fit to be back at work and just wanting my knee to be fixed so I am dealing with pain and uncertainty so I am completely in this feeling of being a lost right now. But hoping that everything will be back on track soon and I can move forward. I thought it would be helpful to share some of the things you can do when you are feeling lost in your life.
Here are 7 top tips to help you when you are feeling lost and will help you gain perspective:
1. Journaling Your Thoughts
Journaling is a very power positive habit that can help change your mindset and your life. Being able to write down your thoughts and feelings at the end of the day can help you clear your mind and work through your feelings or thoughts one at a time. Journaling at the end of the day can also help you sleep better as you clear your mind and can start a new day motivated. There are many forms of journaling, using a bullet journal or just a notebook and write daily affirmations to help you stay positive.
2. Do Something You Love To Do
Partaking in an activity that you are passionate about or enjoy doing can help you stay busy and stop your mind from wondering. Doing something that you love can make you feel good and build your self esteem and self love. Doing fun things individually or with loved ones can help you be present in the moment where you will gain the most joy. Having a break from what you have been thinking about can then help you gain perspective and come up with new ideas.
3. Go outside
Being outside in nature can help ground you and taking in the fresh air can make you feel refreshed. Taking a walk can not only help you keep active but exercising releases endorphins that naturally make you feel good. If you are stuck with tasks or not sure what to do next taking a break can help you come back to the drawing board with fresh eyes and you may come up with other ideas. Going outside and using gentle exercise can help boost your mental health which is important in looking after yourself and rediscovering your path.
4. Do something productive
If you are struggling with what to do during difficult times or what your next steps are for work, taking time away and doing something productive can help you keep yourself and your mind healthy and active. If you are dealing with the opposite problem and you are overwhelmed by the amount of tasks you need to do and not sure where to turn, writing lists is a great way to get organised. Writing down your tasks for the day in list form and then once you have achieved that task you can cross it off. Not only do you get instant satisfaction from crossing off a task but it is also motivating to try and check off more tasks.
5. Ask for help
If feelings are getting you down and you feel you are struggling, that is okay! However it is important that you reach out, you can reach out to: your family members, your partner or even your doctor. Talking to someone about your feelings can help you work through your struggles but they also will be able to show that support or they may even have solutions that you may not have even thought about. There is something very therapeutic about talking out your feelings. Your mental health is the just as important as your physical health.
6. Accept That It Is Okay To Feel Lost
There is nothing wrong with feeling lost and unsure about what you want to do with your life. The first step you can do is to identify and accept you are lost and know that you have the power to change your life, the direction your life is going in and what that something is you want. You may not know what that something is yet, but you will figure it out.
7. Focus On What You Are Good At Doing
When you have a negative view on something, it can lead you down a rabbit hole of acknowledging and giving credit to all the things you are not good at. Instead if you focus on things that you are good at and your strengths, you will gain focus that way and build confidence which can help you when looking for answers to life questions.
These are 7 small things that you can do that can actually make such a positive difference on how you are feeling and will give you clarity on what steps you should take next. It is okay to feel like you don’t know your purpose or an answer to a bigger life questions.
Other things you could do to help when you are feeling lost:
- Develop healthy habits
- Read personal development and personal growth books
- Reflect and write down your goals in life
- Do one activity or project at a time
- Write down what is important to you and your passions
Have you ever felt lost in your life? Do you have any tips? I’d love to hear in the comments.
These are really great suggestions! I find for me just getting outside and walking helps immensely (when the weather permits). Talking to someone outside your household who you trust and love is also very important. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you for reading and commenting.
I always find that doing something productive really helps me when I feel lost. I’ve found that I find journalling and creating goals to be something that helps me out so much. Thanks for sharing gal x
Journalling is a great way to explore your thoughts and feelings. Goal setting is a great idea. Thank you for reading and commenting Kayleigh xx
Great tips. It’s true when you go out for a walk and fresh air. You might come back with more ideas.
It works well for me. Thank you for reading and commenting.
Loved reading this post.
I am not going to lie the Pandemic has bought about a whole new view on feeling lost for me.
I have tried to take each day as it comes and not to plan to much which has been hard as a natural planner. Alongside this i have tried to switch off more by turning off the news, watching disney movies, cooking my fav comfort food and chatting a lot on facetime with my siblings who are my lifeline.
Have you tried a new hobby? Maybe something creative like planning, if you are a creative planner that is.
I journal my thoughts, chat with my confidant, do most of the thing that makes me happy, and exercise every time I feel lost. Thank you for sharing your tips. Good post!
That’s great! Thank you for reading and commenting.
I have been feeling lost lately. I do not why or in response to what but I have definitely felt myself drifting a bit into wondering where life is taking me and what the future is going to look like, so it was refreshing to read this today! Writing is one of my favorite ways to ground myself.
Thanks for sharing!
It is great that writing helps you. I think a lot of people are experiencing these feelings as there is so much going on right now. Thank you for reading and commenting.
Great suggestions! I’ve felt lost in life many times and honestly i feel like it’s a normal thing. people just don’t like to talk about it. i always tell myself, things will work out as they should when they should. 🙂
Yeah you have to allow yourself time. Thank you for reading and commenting.
These are all great suggestions! Going for a walk and doing something productive are the one that helps me the most. When I feel lost I almost always end up cleaning or take some time to watch something funny to get me in a better mood. Thanks for sharing x
Lovely post Lauren! I’ve recently started journalling as I was having hard time with my thoughts and emotions lately! Also going out for a walk really clears your mind too x Penny
Thank you! Can you link your blog so I can have a read? X
Thanks for this post, some good ideas here. I journal every night, it is so helpful. I like writing gratitude lists too.
Thank you. Can you link your blog?
Loved all of these tips. I enjoy journaling to gain clarity whenever I’m feeling lost.
Fab tips! I always find journaling can be so beneficial for helping me work through my feelings, and, despite finding it difficult to ask for help, when I do it always feels like such a weight off my chest. Thanks for sharing x
Great post Lauren. I have felt like this a lot lately. After moving to a new area, not knowing anyone, and not currently working I’ve been really struggling. It has affected my home life too. Things are slowly starting to get a bit better though – I have met a couple of new people, which lifted my spirits and I have signed up to do a half marathon which has given me a little focus. I must remember to stay off social media when I’m feeling rubbish! 😬 I will apply the tips you have suggested. Thanks for sharing. Jade MumLifeAndMe
Aww, that must be quite overwhelming. But to have the confidence to do that move is something you should be proud of. It sounds like things are getting better. Good luck with your half marathon. These tips really helped me and continue too, I hope they do that for you too! Xx