How Can I Cope with Feeling Powerless and Helpless?

Dear eNotAlone: I feel so utterly powerless, like my life is not in my control. I'm getting no joy from anything, nothing satisfies me. I feel like nothing I do matters, like I have no control. I'm stuck in a rut, no matter what I do I see only the future of gloom, failure and loneliness. How can I regain my sense of power and control?

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It can be easy to feel overwhelmed and powerless when we're faced with difficulties in life. If this is how you feel, it's important to take some time for yourself to develop strategies for dealing with the situation in a healthy way and understanding the areas over which you have control and influence.

The key to overcoming feelings of helplessness is learning to trust that you have the resources available to handle life's challenges. This begins with developing self-awareness, recognizing patterns of thought and behavior, and creating an individualized plan of action. Taking the time to become familiar with and learn to manage these feelings can provide a strong foundation and sense of security in times of uncertainty.

Take some time to reflect on the areas of your life where you feel powerless. Consider how these feelings are impacting your life, how they change over time, and how you can take action to manage them. Spend some time journaling to document your thoughts and feelings or to create goals. You may want to work with a therapist or as part of a support group to help you process your emotions and gain perspective and understanding.

Identifying and starting to practice small self-care activities can be incredibly helpful in this process. This may include going for walks in nature, spending time with friends and family, engaging in hobbies and interests, eating healthy, and getting enough sleep. Investing time and effort into yourself will help you build up your self-confidence, create a renewed sense of purpose, and provide opportunities for playful exploration and self-expression.

Remaining rooted in activities that provide meaning and joy to your life can help you to find balance and more effectively tackle difficult moments. This will in turn empower you to bring creative solutions to the difficulties that arise in life and allow you to become a more active participant in your own journey on the road to recovery.

It's perfectly normal to experienced moments of powerlessness or difficulty - but remembering that you are able to take empowering steps in order to move forward is essential. Take some time to realize that while you may not be able to control every aspect of your life, there are still options open to you at every stage. Maintaining hope and faith that things will get better can go a long way in providing comfort and stability in times of turmoil.

It's important to remember that you are not alone. Reach out to family, friends, and professionals for support to help you through these difficult times. This can help remind you that you are not powerless, but rather capable and equipped to deal with whatever events life throws your way.