Overwhelmed, Stuck, Lost: Embracing a One Day at a Time Mindset

I never thought I'd feel this way. I've always been the person who could see the bright side, the one who could push through any challenge with a positive mindset. But then life hit me like a tidal wave, and suddenly, I was drowning.

Lost my job—out of the blue. Bills stacking up. Loans and debt staring me down. No place to live in a month. My car? Undrivable. No relationship. Tax refund delayed. Phone shut off. Everything that could go wrong, did.

For the first time in my life, I felt like I couldn’t go on. The light at the end of the tunnel? Didn’t exist. I was stuck in quicksand, sinking fast. Embarrassed. Sad. Lonely. I didn’t want to leave my room. I couldn’t see anything to be grateful for—like there were scales over my eyes blocking the good in my life. Even my faith, the thing that had always given me strength, felt distant. I knew opening my Bible or praying would help, but it was like I was punishing myself. I had no purpose, no direction, no hope.

But here’s the thing about feeling lost: you don’t have to find the way all at once. You just have to take one step.

One Day at a Time

The phrase kept showing up in my life. Family and friends reached out when I needed them most. They reminded me: One thing at a time. One moment at a time.

I started small.

• I answered the call from a loved one—even when I didn’t feel like talking.

• I took a walk outside—even when I wanted to hide under the covers.

• I stood up—because that alone was a step forward.

• I read a book, something inspiring—not to compare myself to others, but to remind myself I wasn’t alone.

Little by little, the weight on my chest began to lift. I realized I wasn’t going to fix everything overnight. And I didn’t have to. I just had to get through today.

How to Get Unstuck

If you’re feeling stuck, lost, or overwhelmed, here’s what helped me—and what can help you too:

1. Acknowledge Where You Are

It’s okay to feel lost. It’s okay to admit you’re struggling. Pretending you’re fine doesn’t make the problem go away. Admitting it is the first step toward healing.

2. Take One Small Action

When everything feels too big, shrink it down. Can’t figure out your whole life? Just figure out the next step.

• Get out of bed.

• Drink a glass of water.

• Take a deep breath.

• Go for a walk.

3. Let People In

I wanted to isolate myself. But the people who loved me wouldn’t let me. They called. They checked in. They reminded me that I wasn’t alone.

Let someone in. Answer the text. Call back. You don’t have to do this alone.

4. Focus on What You Can Control

I couldn’t fix everything at once. But I could control small things.

• I could make my bed.

• I could apply to one job.

• I could pray—even when I didn’t feel like it.

5. Don’t Compare, Just Get Inspired

Comparison is a thief. I started reading books and listening to others—not to measure myself against them, but to be reminded that struggle is universal, and overcoming is possible.

6. Give Yourself Grace

You don’t have to have it all figured out. You don’t have to be perfect. Progress, not perfection. One day at a time.

7. Reconnect with Your Faith

I didn’t want to read my Bible. I didn’t want to pray. But I knew I needed to. So I started small. A verse. A prayer. A moment of stillness. And slowly, my faith became my anchor again.

If you’re reading this and you feel like you’re stuck in quicksand, know this: You are not alone. You are not forgotten. You will get through this.

One step at a time. One breath at a time. One day at a time.

You don’t have to fix everything today. Just take one small step forward. And when you look back, you’ll see how far you’ve come.