It’s inevitable that at some point or another, all of us are going to stop what we’re doing and think, “huh?”. Wonder where our career is going, whether our dreams are possible or if we’re getting real deep, what the meaning of it all is. I certainly have found myself in that situation more than once; most notably, right before I started blogging. I’ve never once had a more intense feeling of, “what’s the point” than then but fortunately I was pulled out of a dark, lost place by books and blogging which eventually got me to where I am today with my own business and a successful blog. Yay! However, I’m not naïve to the fact that I will probably get those feelings again. In the meantime though, I wanna share some of my own tips on what to do when you’re feeling a little lost in life.
Make a plan: Think about where you want to be, what you want to do, where you want to go or whatever the dream is and make a step-by-step, manageable plan and get it written down on paper. A small but relevant example of this in my own life lately was that I wanted to redecorate my room by myself (I.e no help from a decorator) so I started small, made a list of what I envisioned my room would look like, got little bits I needed like paint and rollers etc. and started small with one wall, then two, until eventually, it was done. And I love it!
Make a list: To actually banish those dreary, damaging thoughts on a daily basis, I stick to lists and I find this helps keep me in line, keeps me motivated and productive and doesn’t leave me an awful lot of time to ponder the big ol’ questions. But if you have a goal in mind, make some lists. What can you do on a day to day basis to help you achieve that goal? Add one little thing to your every day to do list to get you closer to where you want to be and hopefully, that’ll help you get direction and stop you feeling quite so lost.
Seek inspiration: Easier said than done, I know but actively seek out inspiration. Read lots of books or magazines, watch lots of movies, visit blogs, go to the library, join a club or do something completely out of the ordinary for you in which you may find inspiration from. You don’t even have to know what you’re looking for inspiration for.. Just look. You might be surprised.
Have a self-care day: Really important and really valid; self-care is one of the most important things we can do for ourselves, especially when we’re not feeling brilliant in ourselves and need to give ourselves some more love and care than usual. Take some time for yourself – a whole day of doing, eating, watching, reading all your favourite things or whatever you find soothing. If that’s rock-climbing, then so be it!
Do something pointless: So, you know you need to get out of this funk but can’t quite get to grips with what you need or want to do. Allow yourself time to do something completely non-productive. Something that isn’t going to change the world in any way shape or form. Something which is, essentially, a complete waste of time but just do something pointless to get it out of your system and then go full steam ahead the following day. May I suggest an obstacle course for your pet?
Great ideas😍
Yes! Self love and taking care of our mental health is of the essence to our well being. I love this article! Great read.
I totally agree (: xx
I get those feelings quite a lot and I think that your first tip is where I often go wrong – I rarely make a plan! I just kind of expect things to get better without working out how I can make that happen haha! Your tips will definitely help me get a little bit more pro-active, and take a bit more responsibility for how I’m feeling as I am definitely able to change it!
Beth x
Oh yeah I’ve definitely done that – literally not done anything and then wondered why things aren’t getting better. Humans are weird aren’t they? Haha xxx
Seeking inspiration is such a good one, I like to do all of these things but I think this is something I forget most and without inspiration there’s not much else to feel than lost!
Jen xxx
Absolutely – lacking inspiration is the worst feeling xxx
I love this post! I’m feeling a little lost at the moment so this came at the perfect time
Thank you x
I often feel a little lost (or a lot lost!) so these tips are going to prove very useful, I’m sure. Especially love the suggestion of a pet obstacle course! I reckon my cat would love it 😉
Haha if that ever happens I want photos! xxx
Such a great read, making list is my favourite thing!! ahahah Also a self care day is a must!! xox
http://www.emmalanglands.co.uk
I definitely need a self care day myself xx
I think self-care days are so incredibly important. Looking after yourself can really help you re-focus xx
Absolutely – we all need to put ourselves first for once xxx
Doing something pointless is a really good thing. If I have too many things to do being tired and busy I will treat myself with something pointless basically wasting time on nothing. Our brain needs to be switched off sometimes 😛
Exactly! I totally agree. It feels amazing to do something which requires no concentration but also completely switches you off from the world xxx
These are some really good tips. I definitely agree with the self-care day. I wish I had realised how important they are a lot sooner.
Same! I don’t think I did realise what it was until I started blogging xxx
i love have a self care day when i’m feeling lost! X
Same, it’s so beneficial xx
I love these ideas! Another great read chick xx
http://www.jamies-corner.com
Thank you (: xx
Love love love this post! I am a huge maker of lists, they really do help with eceduring – especially when you want to think up a good plan! I also love hunting for inspiration!
Claudia xo
You can find inspiration in the most unlikely places that’s what I love about it! xxx
I’m definitely a fan of list making! When I feel a bit lost I always find writing helps or switching my brain to reading something or just watching something where I don’t have to do much thinking aha! x
G
http://www.teawithgi.com
Switching off completely definitely helps because sometimes you come back with a different mindset (: xx
I find the doing something pointless thing really helpful. When my mind is overwhelmed and I need to switch off, watching something like greys anatomy or reading a book that doesn’t require a lot of brain power is really helpful. I would like to get better at doing lists but I find I never stick to them! I think I’m too much of a vague person. You sound quite organised!
I’m VERY organised – probably too organised for my own good haha. You could definitely make lists work for you too. Doing something pointless really can be so beneficial. My pointless “thing” is playing The Sims! xxx
Making lists helps me so much! I’m very distractable. so I need to have everything written down in front of me.
A Sparkle Of Grace
Lists can be so helpful in so many ways can’t they xxx
Jenny this was a post I really needed to read today I’m honestly struggling so much right now with feeling lost and deciding things so thankyou for sharing x
Kayleigh Zara 🌿www.kayleighzaraa.com
You’re very welcome! xxx
I love this post Jenny as I think it’s so relatable! I think everyone can relate to the feeling of being lost sometimes. I deffo agree with making a plan as this always helps me out when I’m feeling a little stuck x
http://www.imjustagirl16.co.uk
Even the action of making the plan can feel incredibly productive xxx
Self-care is definitely so important and something I find can help if I’m feeling a little lost. I love writing lists too and always have various lists on the go for certain things. xx
I love multiple lists too xxx
Whenever I feel lost, I find that lists help so much. I just open a notebook, take out a pen and write what needs to be done over the next few days. It helps me refocus and prioritise when I’m feeling lost. Great tips, Jenny!
Thank you! A simple list can go a long way xxx
Jenny, I love this post 🙂 I am a list and plan queen so this feels very familiar. I also need to remember to take time out for self care because I never do. Blogging has become my outlet for so many things, and reading posts like this one are my inspiration, thank you! xx
Lisa | http://www.lisasnotebook.com
Blogging could certainly be one of your methods of self care (: xx
I really love this post Jenny, all of the pointers are so relatable to things I do when I’m feeling down or lost. Especially the self-care days. Also making a list and crossing things off make me feel SOO GOOD!! You’ve hit the nail on the head and I think this is such a fantastic post to share. Well done xxxxx
Crossing things off a list is literally one of the most satisfying things in life isn’t it?! xxx
I needed something like this today
Glad to have helped (: xx
I live by lists. I always feel more accomplished once I see everything written out it just seems more manageable then in my head.
Oh for sure me too! xxx
Making plans and lists are what keep me going when nothing is going right, I always use them to cheer me up and help me get my head around a tricky situation!
Jess | http://acornlifefitness.com
Omg yes! You really can’t beat a good list sometimes, they make everything seem so much less stressful and overwhelming xxx
These are great, i love the do something pointless one, i always feel guilty for doing this but i think by allowing myself to do so, i would get a lot from it for sure!
Yeah for sure! Some days I’m like everything is a lost cause today so I might as well just be really unproductive 🤣
Yup! And I think ultimately it can help you feel better in the long term!
I definitely find making lists is so helpful! I make one for the week and then a daily one too. It usually helps me focus! I also try to have a self-care day but I haven’t had one in a while! Lots of work to do!
Sian x
http://www.theenglisheverygirl.com
Have yourself a self care day soon! A weekly list sounds like a good idea too, I may start doing that! xxx
A list is always a good place to start! Great read 😊
Right! I don’t know what I’d do without my lists 😍