Feeling behind in life is a common experience, and it’s important to remember that everyone’s journey is unique.

Some may treat life as a competition or game to win.

And although it can be admirable to strive for success, many of us intuitively suspect that it might not be the answer either.

Let’s talk about feeling behind in life.

Feeling Behind In Life

Is Life A Competition?

Life isn’t about competing with everyone around us, it’s about challenging ourselves to be the best version of us that we can be and appreciating the journey as much as we possibly can.

Why Do People See Life As A Competition?

Many people see life as a competition due to a variety of factors, including societal pressures, cultural norms, and personal experiences.

In a lot of societies, there’s an emphasis on individual achievement and success, which can foster a competitive mindset.

How Do I Stop Seeing Life As A Competition?

To stop being so competitive, we can try working through the emotions behind it. 

We can also work on our own self-esteem and try to learn how to celebrate successes in both ourselves and others.

Is Life Supposed To Be Stressful?

Stress is an inevitable part of life, and it’s not always bad. Stress is our body’s natural response to challenging or difficult experiences.

It can be triggered by positive things, such as a challenging puzzle, or negative things, such as financial difficulty.

How Do We Catch Up When We’re Behind On Everything?

Prioritize Tasks: Identify the most important and time-sensitive tasks and focus on completing those first.

Break It Down: Divide large tasks into smaller, more manageable parts.

Set Realistic Goals: Establish achievable milestones for yourself to track your progress and prevent feeling overwhelmed.

How Do I Just Get Through Life?

• Focus on things within your control.
• Don’t withdraw in tough times.
• Try to avoid negative people. 
• Accept any situation.
• Prioritize relationships.
• Accept change by looking to your past.
• Expand your social network.
• Get enough exercise.

Tips For When Feeling Behind In Life

Reflect on Your Goals: Take some time to reflect on your goals and aspirations.  It’s ok to adjust and redefine our goals as we grow and change.

Avoid Comparison: Avoid comparing your progress to others. Remember that everyone has their own path and pace. Social media often showcases highlights, not the full picture.

Learn from Setbacks: Treat setbacks as learning opportunities. Understand what went wrong, what you can do differently, and use those lessons to propel yourself forward.

Prioritize Self-Care: Take care of your physical and mental well-being. Ensure you’re getting enough sleep, eating healthy, and incorporating activities you enjoy into your routine.

Set Realistic Expectations: Adjust your expectations if they’re unrealistic. It’s essential to set achievable goals and timelines to avoid unnecessary stress.

Create a Plan: Develop a realistic plan to move forward. Identify specific actions you can take to make progress toward your goals.

Celebrate Small Wins: Acknowledge and celebrate your accomplishments, no matter how small. Recognizing your achievements, no matter how minor, can boost your confidence and motivation.

Final Thoughts

We often don’t realize how much our thinking affects the quality of our lives.

When we struggle against the natural rhythms of life, we create resistance and opposition and this is what can lead to struggle.

Remember that life’s a journey, and it’s never too late to make positive changes.

Be patient with yourself, stay focused on your goals, and take steps to move forward at a pace that feels right for you.

Thanks for reading, please comment or follow the links.

Sources and other reading:

When You Feel Like You’re Behind In Life

Are The Best Things In Life Free?

Living Without Regrets

What’s On Your Bucket List?

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