If You Feel Lost You Have to Just Start Trying Anything and Everything

“If you feel lost, you have to just start trying anything and everything. Only action brings change. You can’t just sit there and overthink it.” – Tai Lopez

Feeling Adrift?

Let’s be honest, that feeling of being utterly lost? It’s a universal human experience. Like navigating a dense fog where familiar landmarks have vanished and every direction feels uncertain. You might be staring at a career crossroads, wrestling with a relationship, or simply feel a general lack of purpose. It’s easy to get paralyzed in that fog, isn’t it? To sit down, overthink every possible path, and end up feeling even more stuck.

But here’s a truth bomb, delivered with the gentle but firm hand of someone who’s been there: If you feel lost, you have to just start trying anything and everything. Only action brings change. You can’t just sit there and overthink it.

Now, I know what some of you might be thinking. “Just anything? Isn’t that reckless? What if I make the wrong move?” And that’s a valid concern. Our brains are wired to protect us, to analyze and predict outcomes. But when you’re truly lost, that over-analysis becomes a cage, keeping you trapped in inaction.

Think of it like this: imagine you’re actually lost in a physical maze. Staring at the walls and endlessly debating which turn might be the right one won’t magically reveal the exit. You have to start walking, testing dead ends, retracing your steps, and feeling your way through. Each attempt, even a “wrong” one, provides valuable information. You learn what doesn’t work, which narrows down the possibilities and eventually leads you closer to the solution.

The same principle applies to the internal maze of feeling lost. Your “anything and everything” doesn’t have to be drastic or life-altering. It can be small, manageable steps. It could be:

• Trying a new hobby: That pottery class you’ve always been curious about? Sign up. That online coding course your friend mentioned? Give it a go. You might discover a hidden passion or a valuable skill.
• Reaching out to someone new: Connect with that interesting person you met at the coffee shop. Attend a networking event in a field you’re vaguely interested in. New connections can spark unexpected opportunities and perspectives.
• Volunteering for a cause you care about: Spending time helping others can shift your focus outward and provide a sense of purpose, even if it doesn’t directly solve your personal dilemma.
• Reading a book outside your usual genre: Exposing yourself to new ideas and ways of thinking can broaden your horizons and inspire unexpected insights.
• Taking a different route home: Sometimes, a simple change in your routine can break mental patterns and lead to fresh observations.

The key here is experimentation without attachment to a specific outcome. Don’t go into these experiences expecting them to be the answer. See them as data-gathering missions. What did you enjoy? What did you learn about yourself? What felt energizing, and what drained you?

Overthinking, on the other hand, often stems from a fear of failure or making the “wrong” decision. But when you’re already feeling lost, staying still is the wrong decision. It perpetuates the feeling of stagnation and robs you of the chance to discover new paths.

Think of your life as a vast, uncharted territory. Feeling lost isn’t a sign of weakness; it’s an invitation to become an explorer. You can’t map a territory by staring at a blank page. You have to venture out, chart the rivers and mountains, and discover what lies within. Every “wrong turn” on your map isn’t a failure; it’s a line that tells you, “Not this way, but now I know something I didn’t before.”

So, if that feeling of being lost is weighing you down, take a deep breath and choose one small action. Then another. And another. Don’t strive for perfection or the “right” move. Strive for movement. Trust that the process of trying, of engaging with the world, will illuminate your path forward. You might stumble, you might get a little bruised, but you will also discover unexpected joys, hidden talents, and ultimately, your own unique way.

Stop overthinking the map and start walking the terrain. Your journey begins with the very next step.