What To Do When You Feel Lost
There are times in life when you may find yourself wondering, ‘Why do I feel so lost?’ Perhaps your motivation has disappeared, or you’re feeling lost when it comes to your work or personal life. Often you might feel numb, or not know which direction to take, causing you to feel overwhelmed and out of control. During this time, you may have many questions, but few answers.
Feeling lost in life, whilst unsettling, is a very normal human experience. In some ways, it can actually act as a signpost, alerting us that there are changes that need to be made. It can also help us to face emotions that we may ordinarily bury away.
If you’re wondering what to do when you feel lost in life, then read on to learn more about why you might be feeling what you’re feeling, and how you can cope when you feel lost in life.
Understanding the Feeling of Being Lost
If you’ve ever uttered the words ‘I feel lost in life’, then you may have found yourself feeling emotionally and mentally strained. Symptoms such as mood swings, tearfulness, indecision, loss of interest, overwhelm, irritation, and loss of connection with the self, can all be indicators that you are experiencing feeling lost.
If you’re wondering, ‘Why do I feel lost?’, then you may be interested to know that there are many different reasons why you might be feeling this way. Major life changes such as the loss of a loved one, divorce and separation, or even the loss of a job, can bring about a sense of feeling lost. If you’ve ever hit a crossroads in life, you may have felt lost, as you deliberated which road to take.
Sometimes, we experience a conflict when it comes to our values, and that can cause us to begin to question our own purpose and place in the world. We may become overwhelmed and dissatisfied with life in general, which can then cause us to suppress emotions, and become frustrated and numb to life around us.
Feeling lost in life may even indicate, or lead to, an existential crisis. This can occur during times of change, when we feel a lack of safety and security. A person in crisis may feel confused about their purpose and meaning in life.
Acknowledging Your Feelings
Admitting to yourself, ‘I feel lost’ takes courage. From a young age, we have become used to brushing away the emotions that we feel, often not recognising what we are feeling. When we experience negative emotions such as feeling lost, overwhelmed or confused, expressing these in a healthy way can help us to process them and move forwards.
If you aren’t used to holding space for yourself to feel what you’re feeling, then a practice like journaling can be a good place to start. This gives you a private and non-judgemental space to become comfortable with opening up emotionally. This time also gives you a chance to reflect on life, and even receive new perspectives.
Accepting your feelings is an important part of the process. You might also find it helpful to share how you’re feeling with a trusted friend or family member. If you can become an observer of your emotions, and hold a non-judgemental space for them, this will help you to process them more easily.
Seeking Support
Having a support system in place is important if you’re in a place where you’re feeling lost. This might mean leaning on support groups to support your mental health, or even expanding your social connections. Social media can be a useful way to connect with others sharing the same values and experiences. Spend time cultivating a supportive network of people who you can share hobbies and interests with, who can then become your community.
Therapy or life coaching can be a useful space for self-reflection, and to receive support and guidance. Of course, it’s important to reach out to professionals if you ever feel you cannot cope with the feelings that you are experiencing.
Practical Steps to Navigate Through This Phase
It can be hard to know what to do when you feel lost. Firstly, concentrating your attention on the present moment will help you to accept that it’s ok to feel lost. Here are some ideas for helping you to navigate this phase:
Spend time in self-reflection - use this time to get to know your inner world. This might look like refining your values, or working out what it is you want from life.
Set yourself some small goals - having something small and achievable to work towards can help boost motivation levels, build self-trust, and provide a sense of achievement.
Try something new - change up the energy and explore a new hobby or interest. Trying something different may open up possibilities that you’ve not yet imagined for yourself.
Focus on self-care - looking after yourself is a priority. Whether it’s exercise, meditation, or giving your diet an overhaul, check in with yourself and listen to what you need.
Lean into personal development - you might like to read books or listen to podcasts to help inspire and uplift you. This also opens your eyes to possibilities for your own growth, and can guide you towards transformation.
Turning a Negative Into a Positive
Feeling lost can leave you feeling helpless, but often, transformation occurs right when we are least expecting it. The path of self-discovery will lead you towards your own personal growth, as you seek to understand your potential, and find your purpose. Challenging times will lead you towards a greater understanding of yourself, and what you want from life.
Key Takeaways
Here are some final thoughts on finding yourself when you’re feeling lost. Acknowledging your feelings is vital when it comes to navigating what is happening for you. There are lots of coping strategies and support networks available to you, as you move through this confusing and challenging time.
Next time you find yourself saying, ‘I feel so lost’, remind yourself to trust the process. You are not alone, and this period of time invites you to be patient and gentle with yourself, as you open up to the possibility for self-discovery and new beginnings.