Do you feel lost (in university)? - ask yourself these questions.

In the vast expanse of life, there are moments when we find ourselves overwhelmed by a profound sense of disorientation. Feeling lost is an experience that can be disturbing and unsettling. Often we do not know we feel lost as we try to keep on going and ignore our feelings. Most often this happens to students, while in university. Over two-thirds of students say they are lost or very lost throughout their uni life.

However, amidst the darkness, there lies an opportunity for growth, self-discovery, and the potential to find a new path. This article explores questions that can guide and aid you in navigating through the labyrinth of feeling lost.

1. How do I feel? - probably one of the hardest questions. It requires you to sit with yourself and feel your body and mind. Let yourself go and be honest. It is important to do this in a setting where you feel full comfort and safety so that you do not feel the need to suppress or hide whatever comes through.

2. What/ who makes me feel this way? - once you have established what is going on, the next step is to discover its origins. It is crucial, to be honest with yourself. Also, try to not consider other people’s feelings or opinions. This can hinder you from being honest with yourself. At this moment, you are the most important person that matters the most and would benefit the most from this exercise. Keep that in mind!

3. What are my values? - Make a list of what is important for you in life, relationships, and ethics. Once you have that, think about whether what you are currently doing is aligning with this list. We aren’t looking for perfection here, but what we want is that what you do aligns with your values, and that results in your joy and happiness. If that is not the case, we come to the next question.

4. What do I need to let go of? - another one of the most challenging questions. This can be very intimidating and scary. We are all used to living our lives in a certain way, whether it is good or bad. And this is part of our habit and what we are familiar with. So, changing that (even when it’s for the better) is very scary and that’s what keeps many people from doing it. But for now, you can list all the things you think you should let go of and don’t benefit your life.

These 4 questions are loaded with heavy work that can take time to complete. You don’t have to do this in one go and my advice is not to rush with your answers. I will post a part 2 that will dive into self-care and confidence, so stay tuned for that.

University life is a transformational experience and for some, it is extremely overwhelming. If you feel that you need some support in navigating it or just someone to talk to, you can contact me for free.