Not Feeling Like Yourself? Strike Is Here To Help
As a young adult, navigating the world can be tricky. Internally, our minds are going crazy. We’re simultaneously learning a ton, figuring out who we are, and trying to plan our future. It is common to lose sight of ourselves and forget our core values. It’s even more complex today, with social media pushing different ideas about who you should be and how you should live down your throat. Sometimes, I forget entirely why my interests were important to me and what I am trying to accomplish. If you have ever felt the same way, don’t fret. I’m here to give you some tips on returning to feeling like “yourself” again.
The first thing to remember is not to freak out. We all have times when we don’t feel like ourselves anymore; it’s normal. In fact, it can be healthy. When you don’t feel like yourself, it means growth and change are happening. Remember who you were and what you liked when you were 15. Things have changed a lot, right? As much as we would like to keep going on the same, you will continue to change and grow. Embrace it!
A lot of the time we feel off, it’s because of the things we are surrounding ourselves with. Ask yourself: who am I spending my time with? What kinds of activities are taking up my time? More often than not, the energy within these two things is off.
Sometimes when we spend too much of our time on things that are not that important to us, we start to feel a disconnect. Make sure you are making room for things you actually enjoy. I have encountered the problem of finding less enjoyment in the things I used to like. That is ok! We don’t still like everything we did when we were a teen, right? Either you need your motivation and fire back into that subject, or it’s time to move on and find something else you enjoy more.
Another factor is the people you are around. People that don’t get you and drain your energy can sometimes blend into the background and not be apparent. It took some time for me to realize the people I was around were so unlike-minded as me that I started to not feel like myself. I took some time away from them and started to feel less “off.” It can be easier said than done to find people that “get” you, but it’s a journey. You’ll find them eventually!
Cognitive dissonance can also be a significant factor in feelings of confusion. This is when your thoughts or beliefs are inconsistent with your actions. A very broad example of this is when a person has not yet found their “purpose” in life. A lot of the things they are doing daily feel meaningless to them. This can cause uncomfortableness, as they know they feel no purpose from a particular action, yet they keep doing it. If you have been feeling generally uncomfortable or confused, cognitive dissonance may be the culprit. A good thing to do is to remember your core values and what is important to you. If you are currently doing something that goes against these values, chances are, you are experiencing cognitive dissonance.
Feeling off and not knowing exactly why can be frustrating. However, it is a good indication that it’s time to change something in your life for the better. Life is constantly changing, especially when you are a young adult. Going through periods of feeling uncomfortable is normal and even helpful for necessary growth. Reflecting on your life and trying to figure out what areas feel “weird” can help you pinpoint where change may be needed to live your best life.
Strike out,
Ally Nelson
Boca Raton
Ally Nelson is a Content Writer for Strike Magazine Boca. Her passions include studying psychology, creating art and fashion, and drinking margaritas. You can reach her on Instagram @a.l.l.y_n or email @ nelsonalyssa.h@gmail.com.
