Do you feel as though you have lost control of your life?
If so, you are not alone. In today’s hectic world, very few people feel like they are in control. Most of us are in a constant state of anxiety, wondering why nothing is going the way we want it to. While you may know what you want your life to look like, you probably do not know how you can achieve your dreams. The good thing is, there is always a solution. Feeling like you have lost control does not mean that all hope is gone. It just means that you need to regain control.
There are six things you have to do if you want to take control of your life.
1. Identify what makes you feel lost and what does not.
What parts of your life make you feel desperate and helpless? Is there something specific that you cannot control? Write down everything that makes you feel like you cannot take hold of your life. Similarly, jot down all the things that make you feel empowered and in control. This way, you will be able to get a clear idea of what makes you feel in control and what does not.
2. Find out what YOU want in life
Many people are unhappy with their life as they often say, “This is not the life I want to live” or “This is not the job I want to work”. However, they have no idea what they do want. Not knowing what you want means that you will always feel like something is missing. Identify the thing that will make you happy. Once you have a clear image of what you want your life to look like, make sure that you stay true to it. In other words, do not let the opinions of friends, family, and even strangers discourage you from following your dream.
3. Shift your focus and become more positive.
In our day and age, simply turning on the news or opening Twitter can negatively impact your mental health. Doomscrolling can leave you with a sense of hopelessness. When there is so much negativity on the Internet and TV, you cannot focus on anything else. When you take control of the content you consume, you can change your life. Reading, watching, and surrounding yourself with more positive or inspirational content can encourage you to take control.
4. Ask yourself what you can change right now.
Remind yourself of what aspects of your life seem to be out of your control. Maybe you are unhappy because you have not exercised in months or your house is a mess. Maybe you have tried to change the content you consume but you cannot do so. Think of anything that feels out of control. Whatever it is, do something small to change it. This can be something as simple as exercising for 15 minutes right now, tidying up for 10 minutes before bed, or deleting your Twitter account. In other words, just 10-15 minutes today can make you feel more empowered and in control than you felt this morning.
5. Once you have become used to making small changes, make big ones.
Everything takes time. Learning how to take control is not different. Therefore, once you have become accustomed to taking 10-15 minutes out of your day to do something empowering, think of how you can do something bigger. Ask yourself what is the next step to achieving the life you want? Big changes are often scary. However, feeling lost and helpless is worse than taking risks. Identify what you want, and go for it. Apply for that degree. Send off those CVs. Get that funding. Do what you need to do in order to get closer to your dream life.
6. Understand that there will always be something you cannot control.
No matter how much you want to have control over everything in your life, it is impossible. There will always be something we could not have predicted or prepared for. In these cases, do not get angry or stressed. Instead, focus on the things that do depend on you. Accept what you cannot change and change what you can.
If you follow the above six steps, you will be able to change your life. It may be a long and difficult journey, but it is one that is undoubtedly worth it.
