What to Do When You Feel Like Your Life Is a Mess
No joke, we have at least one day a week (usually Mondays) when we wake up feeling like our life is in shambles.
Nope, it doesn't get any easier with age. Between work or school, family, friends, relationships, finances, lifestyle and, heck, just the thoughts that go through our heads on a regular basis, we can often feel like we are drowning in our own existence.
When you feel like you're living in utter chaos, it can seem like there's no way out, but rest assured, we have a handful of ways to help ease the situation. Keep reading for what to do if you feel like your life is a mess.
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1. Clean and Declutter!
There's a really good chance that your life feels like a mess because it is—literally. We can't begin to express just how beneficial it is to tidy up your space and get rid of things you don't need. Is it a huge pain? Yes. Will it make a huge difference in the clarity of your mind? Also yes. We sleep better at night, work better throughout the day and feel better all-around when our living space is in order. Give it a shot and experience the magic.
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2. Restructure Your Lifestyle
There are certain things out of our control when it comes to managing our lives, but there are also personal choices that can be altered. If you feel like your life is out of order, take a step back and think about your lifestyle. Are you hanging out with people who get you into crappy situations? Are you taking on way more extracurriculars than you can handle? Do you feel like you go out too much and forgo the things that are really important? By either eliminating something negative or overpowering, or by adding something positive or life-enhancing, you can alleviate some of your lifestyle stressors.
3. Have More Alone Time
Being alone with your own thoughts can be difficult, as can being alone, wondering what everyone else around you is doing. But the more you get used to doing things solo, the clearer you'll feel in your mind. Sure, you may still depend on your friends and family for specific things, but having that sense of social independence will help you better connect with yourself and learn to be your own best friend when you're feeling especially overwhelmed. Things can get messy when we're too dependent on others who let us down. Rely on only you and alleviate added stress of putting the blame on others.
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4. Incorporate Fitness Into Your Weekly Routine
Much like cleaning, working out can seem like the ultimate chore if it's not something you're in the habit of doing. But it can do wonders for more than your body. When you work out, you release endorphins that give you energy and set off those happy feelings in your brain. There are so many workouts to choose from nowadays, so if you hate running, for example, that doesn't mean you're only limited to just that. And if you hate going to the traditional gym or don't feel comfortable taking group classes, there are plenty of online options so you can sweat from the privacy of your own home.
5. Eat Clean
Going hand-in-hand with working out, eating clean will absolutely change you. What they say is true: Food is the fuel you put in your body. Would you put the lowest quality gas into a Mercedes? Definitely not! Treat your body the way you would a nice car, or any other item you value. The crazy part is it doesn't take long to notice a difference. Just a few days into eating clean, or cutting out processed foods and refined sugars, will have you feeling a world of difference. If money is an issue and you don't think you can afford to eat the way you should, THIS list has a slew of easy, healthy options under $2.
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6. Avoid Stressful or Toxic Situations When You Can
Again, there are many things we can't avoid in life. Bad teachers, bullies, horrible step-parents, rival siblings and health ailments are just a few of the many unfair obstacles that can greatly affect our day-to-day lives. But on the flip side, there's plenty we can control. Take a step back and think about what stresses you out most outside of the aforementioned.
If you're shy or have social anxiety and absolutely dread birthday parties or big social functions, (respectfully) steer clear from them. If you have too much on your plate but feel obligated to help friends with favors, kindly decline and focus on you. If you have a close friend who has friends you don't care for, only hang out with your friend when it's 1:1. If you have a friend or S.O. who stresses you out, limit your time with them. There's so much you can do to ease tensions in your life. Much of it stems from feeling obligated to do things or guilty for not doing things. Guilt should never guide your decision-making.
(Pretty Little Liars via Freeform)
7. Talk to a Professional
Whether it's an on-campus guidance counselor, teacher you're super close to or a licensed therapist, having someone trustworthy on hand who you can either vent to or who can help guide you in the right direction is key. It may seem awkward at first to open up about what's going on or to accept that you're unable to handle a situation all on your own, but trust us, it's the help you can receive that matters. Open up about whatever you feel comfortable sharing and take it from there. You may be surprised by the assistance someone older and wiser can provide.
There are plenty of things that cause us to feel overwhelmed—HERE's what to do if you're feeling stressed out at school.