What to Do When You Feel Lost

"What time do you usually go to sleep? I'm wondering if I can chat with you."

I'd just finished eating dinner when I received a text from a friend whose predicament could use a boost. She went on to say that she felt down and lost.

Haven't we all experienced some derivative of that feeling? For some, it's no more than a few hours; for others, a season. No matter the length, uncertainty, fear of the unknown, and the inability to see past the next hundred feet can be challenging and bring about anxiety. Some people look to others for comfort and relief; others turn to alcohol or drugs.

The best way to get out of a funk, a negative state, or depression is to be honest with yourself. Name the beast. You cannot change what you don't acknowledge. We all feel pain, but suffering is a choice, and suffering happens when we refuse to adapt.

The solution may be as simple as picking up the phone and making a call. It could be taking a day to reflect and refocus. Or, it might be to end a relationship that has been stagnant for years. Wallowing in self-pity, sweeping things under the rug, or excusing behaviors including your own, will only perpetuate the problem and throw you into a cycle of chaos. Put your big girl pants on and address the issue head-on. Take a deep breath, put one foot in front of the other, and trust that you may not know exactly what you're doing, but you may as well find out.