Life can throw so much at us making one feeling overwhelmed and disconnected from our goals. It’s like everything’s upside down, and you are trying to find your footing again. The feeling of losing control and direction becomes overwhelming, making one long to regain a sense of stability and balance. One may dwell on past mistakes, worry about the future, or feel stuck in the present, making it difficult to see beyond our current circumstances. You might not have all the answers right now, just taking one step at a time towards thriving serves as a catalyst for change.

Here are some practical steps to help you take charge to get your life back on track:-

1. Mental Clarity – Sit in a comfortable position and relax. Put one hand on your belly and the other hand on your chest. Take a deep breath in and slowly breathe out. Focus on the breath and the movement of your chest and belly with each round of breath. Notice any thoughts or feelings that come to your mind, let them pass without putting your focus on them. Spending a few minutes on this exercise a day will bring you a much needed sense of calm and clarity to make intentional choices. 
2. Reset and action – Decide the goals that you want to achieve in one or two months. It might feel like a lot needs to change to get your life back together. But starting with one goal and taking small actions, gets you the desirable shift. This will help set a direction and take charge of life. Break them down into manageable steps to create a roadmap to reach it within 1-2 months. 
3. The 5 seconds rule: This hack given by a renowned psychologist, Mel Robbins tricks your mind into action mode. Commit to taking action on the count of 5 to 1 —this timeframe is so short that it eliminates procrastination, which might be a hurdle in maintaining consistency. Allot a specific time period each day to work towards the goal you have set for yourself.
4. The power of ‘NO’: Distractions can help relax your mind, but they are a huge drain of time. When focusing on your task at hand, saying no to a distraction will help train your mind to becoming stronger. Set up a time during the day for the things you like doing like gaming, watching series etc. 
5. Habit stacking: Habits keep you organized and helps finish tasks easier while reducing stress. This effective technique helps to create new habits seamlessly into the current routine. First, list your daily tasks, like going to college. Next, pick a new habit, like listening to motivational podcasts. Initially, make a conscious effort to listen to the podcast while traveling to college or work. Over time listening to audiobooks will become a part of your routine. 

Getting your life back on track is about taking the steps that bring you closer to the future you have envisioned for yourself. It might feel difficult initially to even take that small step consistently. You might not even see any significant change in the beginning but remember, each small step you take adds up, propelling you closer to your goals. By implementing and committing to these strategies will help you take charge of your life.