Illustration by Djoko Ihsan
Feeling as if your life is out of control comes from the anxiety of not always having access to the driverβs seat of life. Everyone has no idea when disaster may strike and for how long, so it produces fear that triggers other emotions like upset, frustration, and anger.
The most effective way to cope with this is by finding ways to be content with not knowing. Of course, this is easier said than done and is a constant process, but doing so is worth the effort.
These tips hopefully make you even stronger and better.
- Take a Rest! Let Your Breath Blow Away
It is important to take a break every now and then. Let your breath blow away, take it again and repeat it until you feel better. It is perfectly OK to take some time to yourself; meditate, destress, and practice self-care.
A recent study discovered better stress management and quality of life for medical students who engaged in self-care instead of those who did not.
- Put Yourself in a Different Perspective
Consider taking an “it is what it is” perspective rather than viewing your life as “out of control.”
This does not mean accepting poor treatment. This means that we need to let go of our need for control. By letting go of a need to control everything, we will find life more satisfying.
- Take Control of Things You Can Change
While people may not be able to control everything in their lives, they can still control some things. Make changes in your life that you can control, such as going to the gym more, eating fewer sweets, or getting rid of toxic people.
- Be Confident in Your Life Decisions
You may feel out of control sometimes when you constantly worry about making the right choices and wonder if you are on the right track. There is a tendency to make sure you get the things you can control right, almost perfect-but nothing ever will be perfect.
Embrace what you have created for yourself and, if you have made some mistakes, learn from them and move on. In some ways, these mistakes may have fostered personal growth and wisdom.
Try also to appreciate challenging situations in your life because they push you to keep going and bring you to better times.
- Talk it Out
Talking about what may make you feel overwhelmed and stressed is beneficial. Whether it be with a loved one or maybe receiving professional expertise from a therapist, it’s helpful to have someone with whom you can voice your concerns and worries. They can help you deconstruct these feelings and sort them out accordingly.
- Embrace Positivity
Consider the positive side of things. Life wonβt always feel this way, it will get better if you believe it will. Practice focusing on what is going well in your life, and aim to be thankful for the things you do have.
Itβs also important to remember that sometimes you have to take the bad with the good. Please do your best to appreciate challenging situations in your life because they can foster so much personal growth.
