*singing* just keep swimming, swimming, swimming.

i know the feeling [i kind of had a quarter life crisis a few years back] it took me a few years to get out of the funk [had to hit rock bottom. anxiety and depression. not fun] the first thing i did was start journalling. i carried one with me wherever i went and would write in it whenever i had a moment. sometimes it was recaps of my day, other times a comment someone made or a random thought. i’m artistic, so i would also doodle in it, as well as make random lists and write quotes that resonated with me. every couple of months i would read over what i wrote and write notes on certain entries because i was far enough ahead i could look at the problem from a non-emotional state, i would also begin to see patterns [like when i said ‘maybe’ i didn’t really want to do something] i also had another notebook i still use, but it’s hard to describe exactly, the first thing i did was make a list of 100 things i wish to accomplish in my life [from eat a tube of cookie dough to visit Japan] i go back through that list occasionally and change some things, but it helped me figure out what i value and want out of life [mostly some fun adventures, spiritual and artistic gain and stupid things to laugh at later] i also wrote lists about people who inspire me and why, designed my dream life, and a few spiritual things like chakras and meditation experiences i wanted to remember. again, reading over it later brought some perspective.

meditation and mindfulness also helped me [as well as reading TinyBuddha daily for a little inspiration/motivation] and talking with the people around me, specifically my boyfriend. it’s kind of a long process, and there are days you’ll feel stuck and stagnant, just take small steps. one day you might clean out the attic and feel you did a lot, other days you might just read a book on gardening, everything you do will lead you to figuring out what does and doesn’t work, the key for me was to journal so i could look back later, and understand why i was doing something. with the attic example, you’re de-cluttering, but you should also make a mental note of things, like you wanted to become a great chef so you bought a ton of books, only to pack them away, unused, so maybe you just like the vision of being a great chef, but cooking isn’t your interest.