How to Live When You Feel Like Dying
When life feels overwhelming, it seems like there’s no way out. The weight of depression, anxiety, and hopelessness are suffocating. You often feel stuck, powerless, and unsure if things will ever get better. But even in your darkest moments, you are not without power. You have more control than you think—you just might not be using it in the way you’re used to.
Why We Feel This Way
Depression can make life feel like a never-ending struggle. It’s exhausting to keep going when it seems like nothing will change. These feelings can come from many places:
- Loss, whether it’s a failed relationship, the death of a loved one, a job, or a sense of stability.
- Feeling like you’ve failed in areas that matter most.
- A constant cycle of comparison, believing you’re not good enough.
- Feeling like you can’t meet someone’s expectations, no matter how hard you try.
- Loneliness, even when surrounded by people.
- Biological reasons, such as chemical imbalances or genetic predispositions.
- And sometimes, there’s no clear reason at all—it’s just an overwhelming, unshakable weight.
When you peel back the layers, there’s one feeling that connects these struggles: the belief that you have no control.
When you feel powerless over your circumstances, hopelessness takes over. But what if the issue isn’t that you lack control? What if you’re just not exercising the control you do have?
You Are Not Powerless
You were created with purpose, and when you’re aligned with that purpose, things start to make sense. Think about how birds are free when they can fly or how fish thrive when they’re in water. That’s what they were designed to do. When they’re taken out of their element, they struggle. The same is true for you.
You might feel lost right now because you’re not operating in the space where you’re meant to be. Life feels chaotic because you’re not using the strengths, talents, and passions that give you a sense of meaning. But the good news? You can change that.
Steps to Regain Your Power and Purpose
If you feel like you’ve lost control, the way forward is to reconnect with your purpose. Here’s how:
1. Take Time to Reflect
It’s easy to feel disconnected from yourself when life is overwhelming. Find a quiet moment to think and ask yourself:
- What activities make me feel alive?
- When have I felt the most fulfilled?
- What do I care about deeply?
Your purpose is often tied to things you naturally love or feel drawn to.
2. Identify Your Strengths
Even when you feel worthless, you have unique strengths. Make a list of things you’re good at, even if they seem small. Ask people close to you what they see in you. Sometimes, others recognize our strengths before we do.
3. Start Helping Others
One of the most powerful ways to break free from hopelessness is to focus on helping others. Volunteer, support a friend, or do something kind for someone. Purpose often reveals itself in service.
4. Explore and Try New Things
If you don’t know what your purpose is yet, don’t panic. It’s okay to experiment. Try new hobbies, take on new challenges, and step outside your comfort zone. Clarity often comes from action.
5. Keep Moving Forward
You don’t have to figure everything out overnight. Small, consistent steps toward growth and purpose will help you regain the sense of control you’ve been missing.
You Can Get Through This
Right now, it may feel like the pain will never end. But feelings are temporary. Circumstances change. And you have more power than you think.
Even if all you can do today is take one small step—do it. One step forward is still progress. One choice to keep going is a victory.
You are not alone. You are not without purpose. And your life is worth living.
Notes
“For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime; weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.”
–Psalm 30:5
