When life spirals out of control, it can be hard to stop what is going on and take a step back in the right direction. Sometimes, you just need that one thing to focus on amidst the bad stuff that can give you a glimmer of hope that the storm will pass and this period of your life isn’t permanent. Life can deal us many cruel blows, and regaining control of your life can seem like an impossible task.
But no matter how bleak things seem, there is always something you can do or find to help you regain that control back and find the light to direct you to a new chapter in your life. It may not be an easy road to take but putting small but effective measures in place can help you reduce the overwhelm in your life so you can see the light at the end of the tunnel.
Prioritize Your Life
Make some lists and write everything down. It is easier to manage everything going on when it is broken down into smaller more manageable chunks.
- Urgent Problems
- Low Priority Issues
- Things You Want to Change
- Things you can reasonably change right now
- What you don’t want to change
Create a timeline of when things need to be done by and make yourself accountable. I know, easier said than done however, choose carefully and work through at a pace that works for you.
Whether it is simply cooking yourself a healthy meal or something bigger such as sorting financial issues, know what you can deal with and give yourself a deadline to complete it by. Break it down day by and slowly but surely, you will have made a start on changing your life.
Address Your Behavioural Patterns
If there is a pattern that leads to you feeling overwhelmed with your life and your choices, it may be worth addressing why you act this way. Sometimes we develop behaviors and patterns to help us get through life. But on occasion, they can cause issues. So look for any patterns that have led you to this point and see if there is anything you can change how you react to situations that you can change.
Take Care of your Mental Health.
It’s not unreasonable to suggest that problems in your life can have a huge impact on your mental health. Being dogged by problems relating to any area of your life can take their toll and cause your mental health to deteriorate.
If you are struggling to ask for help. It could be friends, family member or someone anonymous, but problems always seem more manageable with someone to help you share the load. Even if they can’t do anything physically to help you, just them knowing what you are dealing with can be a big help to you. Especially if a relationship is causing you pain and you can’t see a way out. Physical and emotional abuse is something no one should have to suffer however treatment plans such as a narcissistic abuse recovery program can help you recover from a toxic relationship.
Speak to a professional if you feel you need medical intervention or you are suffering under the strain of mental health issues. Once you feel in a better place you can then look at other areas of your life you want to change.
Don’t Procrastinate, Just Do!
Simply get it done. If there is something stopping you from completing certain things, like getting it done right then stop. Whether it is a phone call you need to make or email you need to send, do it as soon as you think of it. Relish in the thought that you have been able to cross one more thing off your list.
That being said, old habits die hard and it may be helpful for you to take it slowly at a pace that works for you and is sustainable. Breaking old habits is hard but not impossible.
As we mentioned it may be beneficial to break down tasks into those that are more urgent. If you need to, delegate tasks to others in your household or friends who can help you out. A problem shared is a problem halved and confiding in others that you are struggling can bring you help to get yourself back to where you need to be.
Look After Yourself.
Now, this may not be something you see as a priority, however, if you are burnt out and stressed, it will only feel harder to sort out your difficulties. So take some time away to look after yourself and indulge in self-care. No matter your problems, they will always seem easier to manage if you are in a better place. So whether you take time out to get pampered or head to a spa retreat, or you take a long luxurious bubble bath and read a book.
It is always important to make sure you still looking after yourself, especially so when you are feeling overwhelmed and have some difficulties to work through.
Exercise is a great stress buster, you don’t even need to go to the gym, practicing yoga or pilates at home can help you to relax and keep your mind and body healthy.
Try to schedule in some ‘you’ time each day or week maybe you can meditate to help clear your mind or you can tackle your sleep routine to help you get a better night’s rest. After all, a lack of sleep can make things feel worse than they are as exhaustion takes over.
Tackling The Bigger Issues
Once you start making progress on your problems you can apply what you have been practicing to other parts of your life to help get on the right path for you. Whether that involves a house move, paying off some debts or finding a new job.
