When life feels off: How to start soul searching without feeling lost

If you are struggling with your life, there might be chances that you’re not feeling well because of your surroundings and the people around you. There are probable instances, be it in night or daytime, when you lie awake, eyes filled with tears or tensed thoughts which you can’t even shed or share with someone. Often there have been instances when you would have got your eyes fixed on the ceiling, wondering, “Is this really it?” “Was I meant to end up like this only?” There have been days when everything feels muted, like you’re walking through life in grayscale while the world outside bursts with color.

When you feel like such, what eventually whispers in your soul is either to quit or start with a new beginning. So, what you need to do is to hear the positive note, start searching for your soul, because your soul keeps tugging for attention. The idea of “finding yourself” can often sound like you’re lost, could be you would have been lost in your thoughts. The truth is we are static human beings, we evolve with due course of time, so here’s the step how you can begin with soul searching.

When inner restlessness hypes you out, there are possible chances you often feel lost. Your instinct says something and you feel like doing the other thing. Soul searching requires deeper understanding, it begins with stillness, not a cluttered brain. Dedicate your time for yourself out of the chaotic noise. Often clarity doesn’t come in a lightning bolt, it arrives in whispers.

Soul searching isn’t about finding the answer for yourself, it’s for your mental peace. Try sparing time for yourself and write. Why? Because writing gives you time to speak to yourself and intimidate others. Ask yourself questions like- “When was the last time I felt truly alive?”, “Whose voice am I really listening to- mine or someone else’s?” Once you get the answer for yourself, you can sit quietly and think of an alternative. Try figuring out possible ways.

Expectations are good, if it is less and within the boundary. Too much of high expectations isn't good for your mental health, it clutters your brain with unbounded responsibilities. Soul searching doesn’t have to be a grand spiritual retreat; it is more of like exploration. Try exploring without putting yourself in a boundary and restrictions.

You can only redefine your success parameters on your terms, but those terms can only be transparently decided once you set off your expectations in a limited boundary. Why? Because too much expectation from yourself also makes you tensed, stressed and dejected. Self- love is much required for your redefinition of success. Understand the limitations and then redefine your success, too much ambition also kills you.

Remember, humans are social beings, so you need to socialize. But that doesn’t mean you keep on telling your problems to everyone. So, it doesn’t restrict you also to keep everything to yourself and wrestle with your emotions. Clarity comes through dialogue with a trusted friend, mentor, therapist or even a stranger who asks the right questions at the right time. Choose conversation rather than suppression of your emotions.

Don’t be cruel to yourself. Don’t try to abstain yourself from reality. Everything can’t be achieved in a flick of a moment. Let time take its course of actions. Soul searching isn’t a week's project. You need to spare time and this is for yourself. You can’t rush it anymore, be gentle with yourself. Love yourself and that too gracefully.

Soul searching isn’t an easy task. To find a lost thing or a commodity is easier, but to find yourself is really difficult. Because within you finding yourself is tiresome and complicated. Life isn’t a straight path with a defined destination. Soul -searching is a gentle and intriguing task. What you expect from the outer world is something you first need to find from within yourself. So, pause, ask, explore and redefine.