Feeling Hopeless and Trapped? Start Feeling Better Right Now

Feeling hopeless and trapped is perhaps one of the worst feelings a person can have. We need to make progress, improvement, have goals to reach for, and a sense of achievement. When you are feeling hopeless and trapped, not only do you not feel like there is improvement in your life, but you actually feel as if you're permanently stuck in a hopeless situation.

It's hard to overcome feelings of hopelessness but it is possible. One thing to remember is that it's impossible for you to actually be trapped in your current situation. Time moves on even if you think that it isn't. Time changes things, everything, even if you think that it doesn't.

Even with that being true, telling yourself that doesn't always make you feel better. You can know something conceptually, but not really know it in your own experience. If you are feeling hopeless and trapped, the only way to feel better right now is to take action, and prove to yourself, through your own experience, that you are in fact not hopeless and trapped.

Feeling hopeless and trapped? Start feeling better right now

To start feeling better right now, begin by taking small steps. There is no benefit in attempting to go from feeling hopeless and trapped, to trying to convince yourself that everything is perfect. Start small, and eventually you'll get to where you want to be. By taking some action right now, no matter how small, you can begin to feel better right now.

Feeling hopeless and trapped? Fix something

One thing you can do right now if you are feeling hopeless and trapped is fix something. It doesn't matter what it is. It could be a light bulb that needs replacing, a drain that needs to be unclogged, or a loose door knob.

Fixing things makes us feel useful and productive. It also makes things that are disorderly or not functioning properly seem more secure and organized. When you are feeling hopeless and trapped, you need to find ways to make yourself feel useful and in control. Fixing things is a great way to do that and can help you start feeling better right now. Look around you and see if there is anything that needs to be fixed.

Feeling hopeless and trapped? Clean or organize something

Just like fixing, when we clean something that is dirty or disorganized, it gives us a sense of accomplishment and control. Being surrounded by clutter and filth will make us feel out of control and overwhelmed. Does your closet or desk need organized? Do the dishes need cleaned? Find something that needs to be cleaned and get to work, you'll feel better if you do.

Feeling hopeless and trapped? Find support

It's ok to tell others how you're feeling. It's never good to bottle it up inside. Doing so will only increase your feelings of hopelessness. If you don't feel comfortable talking to someone in person about your feelings, you might consider joining a free online support group.

One such support group you might consider is called Daily Strength. There are many different groups on Daily Strength such as support groups for grief, illnesses, job loss, loneliness, phobias, and many more.

The worst thing you can do when feeling hopeless and trapped is isolate yourself and never talk about it. Find support and you can start feeling better right now.

Feeling hopeless and trapped? A few more suggestions

When you are feeling hopeless and trapped there are some other things you can do to start feeling better right now as well. One thing that will really help is keeping a journal. Write down your feelings and don't hold back, it's a great way to release some of the hopeless feelings and regain your power.

In Kathy Davis' book, Scatter Joy: Living, Giving, And Creating a Life You Love, She says that every evening she and her family would say what the worst, best, and funniest thing was that happened that day.

This is a great way to help you start feeling better right now. Begin with identifying the worst thing that happened, and then move onto the best and funniest things. That way you end on a more positive note. This exercise will also help you to realize that not everything about your life is hopeless. There is a lot of good; you just have to look for it.

There are many things we can do to help us feel better when we are feeling hopeless and trapped; it's just difficult to realize it when we're caught up in feeling that way. Hopefully these suggestions will help you get back on the right track and start feeling better right now.

Additional Resources:

Find support at Daily Strength

Info about Kathy Davis' book, Scatter Joy: Living, Giving, and Creating a Life You Love