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Stuck, aimless and searching for meaning — if these words define your current state of mind, you could be missing your sense of direction. But while it may not seem like it, almost everyone goes through a phase like this in their lives. And no matter how lost you feel, finding direction in life is possible.
Keep reading to find out more about your lack of direction and what you can do to find your purpose again.
Feeling Directionless: What It Means
When you’ve lost your sense of direction in life, it can feel like you’re just going through the motions. Lack of motivation and inspiration are common during this time, and so is a general feeling of meaninglessness. At times, you may not even recognize yourself.
As for the cause of your directionlessness, several factors could be responsible. This feeling may have been brought on by a traumatic event, an illness or a period of grief. A transitional period in life — such as a career change or the ending of a relationship — can also make you feel like you’ve lost your way.
Lack of Direction and Your Mental Health
Mental illness and a lack of direction often go hand in hand. Those who suffer from a depressive illness (such as major depression or bipolar disorder) often report feeling like their life is meaningless or like they’ve lost their sense of purpose.
Nearly 10% of American adults suffer from such disorders every year, making them extremely common. In some cases, a persistent feeling of meaninglessness could lead a person to develop a depressive disorder, resulting in a vicious cycle of no direction.
Finding Direction in Life
If you’re feeling lost or stuck in life, there’s hope. With the right guidance, you can regain your sense of purpose and get your life back on track. To help you get started, there are a few steps you can take that may give you a push in the right direction.
Here are some easy ways to rediscover your purpose and joy in life. Practice these steps when you feel lost and there’s a good chance they can aid you in your journey back to a purposeful life.
Reflect on Your Values
When was the last time you sat down and thought about what really matters to you? In today’s fast-paced world, taking the time to reflect on your values can put things in perspective.
To practice reflecting on your values, find a quiet space to sit and think. Try to think beyond the superficial things that matter to you and focus on what means the most to you on a deeper level. Doing this can push you past the mundane routines that make up everyday life, revealing the meaningful side you may be missing.
Rediscover Your Passions
Once you’ve reconnected with your values, it’s time to think about what made you happy before you lost your sense of direction. Whether it’s a hobby, a place or even a group of friends, rediscovering your passions can help you bring the spark back into your life.
As you make time for things you enjoy, try to incorporate new activities into your routine. You just might find a new interest that will motivate you to jump back into your life.
Identify Your Strengths
As you work on putting yourself back out there, take some time to identify some of your greatest strengths. This can help you identify a new passion to pursue and prompt you to practice self-love — something you may be missing.
Identifying your strengths might even reveal a part of yourself you’ve been neglecting. Acting on a newfound strength could give your life the direction it needs.
Set Meaningful Goals
Now that you’ve uncovered your values, passions and strengths, you can start making a plan of action. Sign up for a class to explore a new hobby, make plans to reconnect with friends and family or apply for a job in a new field — no matter what, make time for things that matter to you.
Treating these lifestyle changes as goals to achieve can be a powerful motivator. Plus, a sense of accomplishment might give you the strength to overcome the feeling of having no direction.
Show Yourself Some Compassion
Throughout this process, it’s important to show yourself compassion at every turn. Losing your sense of purpose in life can be frustrating and debilitating — and some days are likely to be harder than others.
Don’t be too hard on yourself if you have trouble getting out there and trying new things or if you slip back into your lack of direction. With patience and compassion for yourself, you’ll find the space you need to forge a new path.
Connect With Others
No matter how strong you are, a strong community is essential for staying grounded. Seek out positive connections with others, whether they’re friends, family or significant others. By surrounding yourself with support, you’re less likely to fall back into feelings of meaninglessness.
Healthy relationships can also stave off the effects of mental disorders, such as depressive illnesses. Relationships are a necessary source of human connection, and they can give you a support team to turn to when you feel like you’ve lost your way in life and need help getting back on track.
Find Your Purpose With FHE Health
Finding direction in life is often an ongoing challenge, and sometimes you just can’t handle it on your own. When that happens, the team at FHE Health is here to help you. With a combination of counseling, natural treatment and medical integration, you’ll find the professional support you need to overcome your feelings of misdirection and find your purpose once and for all.
Don’t wait to get help for a mental illness like depression. Visit FHE Health today to get started on your road to recovery.
