If Life Came With Instructions, I’d Still Read Them Wrong
Wouldn’t it be nice if life worked like a puzzle?
You open the box.
Dump everything out on the table.
Start with the corners.
Follow the picture on the front.
Piece by piece… clarity.
Or maybe life could work like a game — clear rules, predictable outcomes, and a reset button when things go sideways.
But if you’ve lived long enough, you already know…
Life doesn’t work that way.
There’s no instruction manual.
The picture keeps changing.
And some of the pieces don’t even look like they belong in the same box.
When Control Feels Like the Only Option
For a long time, I believed that if I could just figure out the right order —
the right decision,
the right habit,
the right mindset —
everything else would fall into place.
If I planned better.
Thought harder.
Tried one more time.
And maybe you know that feeling too — that quiet belief that if you can just control enough, life will finally settle down.
But here’s what experience keeps teaching me (sometimes gently, sometimes not):
So much of life is completely out of our control.
Other people’s choices.
Timing.
Health.
Loss.
Unexpected turns we never saw coming.
And when control slips away, it can leave us feeling anxious, overwhelmed, or like we somehow failed.
So Then What?
That’s usually the moment I lean into my faith.
Not because I have all the answers — but because I don’t.
Faith, for me, isn’t about certainty.
It’s about trust when things don’t make sense.
And if I’m being honest? I fall short.
I pray… and then immediately try to take control back.
I surrender… and pick it up again five minutes later.
I trust… but still wake up at 3 a.m. replaying everything.
And I’ve learned — that doesn’t mean I’m doing it wrong.
It means I’m human.
Life Isn’t a Puzzle — It’s a Practice
What if life isn’t something we solve?
What if it’s something we practice?
Practicing letting go.
Practicing presence.
Practicing coming back to ourselves when we feel scattered.
For me, that’s where simple grounding tools come in — not to fix life, but to help me stay steady inside it.
Sometimes that looks like quiet prayer or reflection.
Sometimes it looks like tapping — gently tapping on specific points on the body to calm my nervous system and release emotional tension when my thoughts won’t slow down. It helps bring me out of my head and back into my body when everything feels like too much.
And sometimes, it’s as simple as taking a deep breath with an essential oil that helps me feel grounded — a familiar scent that reminds my body it’s safe to soften, even if the situation hasn’t changed yet.
None of these things control the outcome.
They just help me meet the moment with a little more calm.
Small Anchors When Life Feels Unsettled
When life feels uncertain, I’ve found it helps to anchor into what is within our control — not in a rigid way, but in a supportive one.
Things like:
•Creating small routines that bring comfort
•Using breath, tapping, or prayer to reset when emotions spike
•Letting scent support your mood and help you stay present
•Choosing one small, nourishing habit instead of trying to fix everything
These aren’t magic solutions.
They’re steady anchors.
Gentle ways to remind ourselves that even when life feels chaotic, we can create moments of calm.
You’re Not Behind — You’re Human
If you’ve been feeling like:
•You should have this figured out by now
•You’re behind because life didn’t go according to plan
•You’re tired of holding it all together
Let me remind you:
You’re not failing.
You’re living.
And living is messy, unpredictable, beautiful, and holy — sometimes all at once.
You don’t need the full picture today.
You don’t need to solve the puzzle.
You don’t need to control the game.
You just need to take the next gentle step.
A Softer Way Forward
These days, I’m learning to ask a different question.
Not “How do I fix this?”
But “What would support me right now?”
Sometimes the answer is action.
Sometimes it’s rest.
Sometimes it’s tapping, prayer, or a grounding breath.
And sometimes… it’s simply letting go.
Your Next Gentle Step
If you’re walking through a season that feels uncertain and could use a little extra support, I’m always happy to talk.
Sometimes that looks like a casual 1:1 wellness conversation.
Sometimes it’s sharing a few grounding tools you can try at home.
Sometimes it’s just knowing you’re not alone in it.
No pressure. No fixing.
Just support — one small step at a time.
Because peace doesn’t come from having all the answers.
It comes from learning how to stay grounded while life unfolds. 💙
Repeat these positive affirmations to yourself...
* I am resilient and can overcome life's challenges.
* I am strong and have the power to make the right choices for me.
* I am grateful for what I can do.
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