Feeling lost, although uncomfortable, is often a good sign! It is the moment when things begin to move from the usual flow of your life and the possibility of a big change is increasing. First, let's understand why we see feeling 'stuck' in life as a bad thing.
The grand fantasy of having everything under control
Everyone feels lost at some point in life and they just have to accept it. But if this feeling is a universal human experience, why do we find it so hard to accept?
In today's achievement-driven culture, you learn early that you must "take your destiny into your own hands." This implies the need to always know what is going on, both in the world and in your own mind. This puts a lot of pressure to 'choose right' and avoid wasting time.
Why is feeling stuck inevitable?
Many psychologists believe that we all have some kind of essence, a part of our personality that is independent of our choices. People have natural preferences and talents that contribute to what is known as the "true self."
Things to appreciate for times when you feel like you lack direction in your life:
1. It's easier to put things into perspective
When nothing is certain, it's easier to see how the world works. When you are focused on pursuing a goal and know exactly what you want, your vision is narrow. You have your attention focused only on that goal and you just try to get there.
But when you are free, without knowing what you want, you get more information. You have fewer expectations and therefore, your mind works with fewer filters. Curiosity becomes your daily motivator.
2. You have the opportunity to know yourself better
The feeling we described above is usually a period when you review your social connections. Look at your friendships, your workplace, your family—and ask the questions, "Is this where I want to be?" "Who am I when I'm not with them?". Precisely thanks to these questions, you will reach a new level of consciousness.
3. Ask questions you haven't dared to ask before
When you live a stable and secure life for a long time, you stop questioning certain things. Learn to conform to social norms and customs because "that's the way things are."
4. You have nothing to lose
When you feel like you've hit rock bottom or that your life is going downhill, you have nothing to lose. From there you can more easily find the courage to follow your dreams. This does not mean that you have necessarily hit rock bottom. Sometimes, all it takes is a deep realization that your old life doesn't work anymore.
5. No one has everything clear
Everyone feels lost from time to time. It is only human to search, wander and struggle to find the right path that suits you best. The feeling of loss can be a gift, if you choose to look at it that way. It's a state that offers you opportunities that you don't see when you live your life according to a planned schedule.
So if you feel lost right now, enjoy that feeling. And remember: No one has everything figured out about their life!
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