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Feeling lost and purposeless? I believe this is something most of us have experienced. And dang, it’s a tough place to be.
If I were given a chance to see a movie of my early 20s, this would probably be the highlight. It’s the main conflict in the story – my lost, anxious, and purposeless self.
While I was an ambitious woman, it felt like there was no way out of the rut.
You wake up, meet your toxic workmates, and before you know it, you’re back in bed, only to repeat it all again tomorrow.
You want change, but the idea of actually changing becomes overwhelming, so you stay where you are—trapped.
To make matters worse, you’ve probably tried a lot of things to shake things up, only to find that nothing really clicks with you.
I tried my hand in customer service. I quit after six months.
Next was sales. Flunked out.
Marketing? Technician? I wanted them all in the beginning, but as soon as I stepped in, the glossy allure was immediately tarnished. Nothing seems to stick.
Adding salt to the wound, I can’t help but notice that people around me seem to be thriving.
They’re achieving their goals, living their dreams, and moving forward with their lives, while I feel like I’m just walking on sand – running fast but barely moving from the initial spot.
Ahh, yes, the feeling of being left behind. It SUCKS.
Do you relate to this, too?
If you answer yes, here are 4 things I want to remind you as someone who finally got out of that spiral.
In times when the path ahead is not clear, do these 4 things:
4 Things To Do When You Don’t Know Where Your Life Is Going
1. Just accomplish what’s in front of you.
Uncertainty can be a huge enemy. But do you know what I do?
In times when there’s an unknown landscape and I don’t know where I’m going, I just put my wandering eyes back to what’s in front of me.
Don’t know what to do? Wash the laundry anyway. Feeling stuck in life? Still, submit the report due today.
Start by just accomplishing what’s within your reach today.
Don’t worry about the big picture, or try to plan out every step of your life.
“Shush. Don’t look far ahead.”
This is what I tell myself now, because I realized that most things I plan don’t happen the exact way I envisioned them.
The future is a mystery, and trying to predict it can lead to unnecessary stress and anxiety. That’s tried and tested by me.
Instead of putting too much glamour on what might be, focus on equipping yourself for the NOW.
Work, act, move!
I tell you, even the smallest accomplishments can add up over time, eventually leading to something significant. It’s those little steps that create momentum and help you find direction.
Remember, you can’t change the past. But the future? Girl, it is primarily shaped by what you do today.
The future, while uncertain, will be shaped by the efforts you’re making right now.
So, don’t let procrastination or uncertainty steal your time.
Accomplish what’s in front of you. And do it with sassiness!
2. Write a timeline and checklist of your goals and desires.
Here’s what I found out:
Whenever I feel lost, it’s usually because I forget about the tasks and goals I’ve initially set.
I might have sidetracked due to my overwhelming number of hobbies or watched too many social media reels, temporarily forgetting my real goals.
That’s why I find it helpful to take a step back, sit down, and make a checklist of my goals again to remind me.
I LOVE checklists. It keeps my chaotic mind in line.
You see, I’m great at procrastinating, but there will be a time when I especially loathe it because I get trapped in analysis paralysis, where I think I’m doing something productive in my mind but actually accomplish nothing.
I can’t bear my lazy self.
So whether it’s something I can get done today, in a week, or in a month, putting it on paper helps me regain my focus.
Draw a timeline of what you want to accomplish each month. And here’s the beauty of it: it’s okay to be vague.
For example, I set Monday through Thursday mornings for blogging. At night, I prepare my lesson plan. Friday is set for school because I teach part-time. My weekends are for church activities.
While I don’t overplan what’s gonna happen each day, I at least have a sense of direction about where my week is going.
After absorbing how my week would go, I would look at my year-long timeline. Are the things I’m doing today aligned with where I really wanted to go?
Ask yourself that question, too.
Think of it as a roadmap that guides you toward your bigger aspirations, but with the flexibility to adapt as you go.
I like using my timeline as a guide rather than a strict schedule.
It’s not about hitting every mark exactly on time but more about having a compass that reminds me of where I wanted my life to progress. It keeps me on track, especially when I feel uncertain or stuck.
To take it up a notch, consider drawing a vision board—this is for long-term goals. It is a fun and creative way to visualize your dreams and keep them in sight!
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3. Do something different.
Sometimes, the best thing you can do is shake things up and do something different.
It’s easy to fall into the trap of the same old routine—wake up, go to work, come home, repeat.
But if you’re feeling stuck or purposeless, it might be time to step out of your comfort zone and try something new.
It doesn’t have to be a grand gesture or a huge change. Even small shifts in your daily routine can make a big difference.
Start by jogging in the morning if you’ve never been a morning person.
Or, if you usually stick to the same places, try visiting a new café or restaurant.
Join a community or group that interests you. Whether it’s a book club, a fitness class, or a local volunteer group.
Go out and meet new people. They’ll introduce you to different ideas and perspectives!
Often, we feel purposeless because we’re looking for inspiration in the same old places. But inspiration is out there—you just have to find it by exploring different corners of your world.
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4. Pray for it.
Once you’ve laid out your goals, created a timeline, and started taking action toward what you want to achieve, there’s one more crucial step you shouldn’t overlook: pray for it.
For me, as a Christian, prayer is a way of seeking guidance and wisdom when I’m unsure about the path ahead.
Just two months ago, I felt lost, and there’s a nudging feeling that I need to change my life.
At that moment, I felt like I wasn’t being as useful as I could be. I’ve been cooped up at home for the past 4 years, so I want to go back to teaching.
I followed my own advice — I sat down and wrote out a timeline for myself. One key goal on that list was to return to teaching by 2026.
Although I didn’t know exactly how to make this goal a reality, I committed to doing my best every day and putting myself out there, meeting new and familiar faces.
And, of course, I prayed. I prayed for guidance, for wisdom, and for God’s hand in my plans.
Then, something happened that I can only describe as more than just a coincidence. I bumped into my old professor (who was also a colleague). We had a short but fruitful catch-up.
“I miss teaching,” I humbly said.
Not a minute later, he grabbed his phone, asked for my contacts, and recommended me for a teaching job.
I hadn’t even applied for it. But ta-daa! Here I am, currently teaching senior high school students a technical course.
It felt like I was being “happily” dragged into an opportunity that wasn’t in my original timeline, but it was exactly what I needed.
Looking back, I truly believe that God said a big “YES” to my plan.
So you see, when you sincerely pray for something, be specific about what you need.
Be open to the answer—it might not always be what you expect, but it will always be what you need.
Whether the response is a no, a yes, a wait, or a grow first, trust that it’s all part of a greater plan.
Always make a move.
Movement is more than just physical—it’s a mindset. It’s about constantly aiming to work on something, even if you’re unsure where it will lead.
The truth is, human beings thrive on progress.
When we’re active, we feel more satisfied, more connected to our purpose.
It doesn’t have to be anything grand. Sometimes, it’s as simple as exercising, meeting up with friends, or enrolling in a practical course that sparks your interest.
Each action feeds your sense of accomplishment and keeps your mind sharp.
You might not know exactly where you’re headed at first, and that’s okay. The important thing is that you’re not standing still.
You’ll get somewhere.
So, whenever you’re feeling stuck, remember:
- Don’t wait for the perfect plan or the right moment.
- Just make a move.
- Keep going, keep growing, and let your actions guide you to where you need to be.
That’s it! I hope you learned valuable insights in this post.
Thanks for reading!
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