Find Something to Fix (When Life Feels Too Big to Handle)
Ever looked at your life and thought, “I don’t even know where to start”?
Yeah… me too.
When you’re overwhelmed — grades slipping, friendships messy, family tense, your brain on overload — the temptation is to either try to fix everything at once or do nothing at all. Both will burn you out.
The truth? You don’t need to fix everything right now.
You just need to fix one thing — and the best place to start is what’s closest to you.
🚦 Why “The Closest Thing” Works
When you try to solve every problem at the same time, your brain feels like it’s carrying 10 backpacks full of bricks. But if you grab the thing right in front of you — the one that’s obvious, reachable, and real — you create momentum. And momentum changes everything.
It’s like cleaning your room: you don’t start by repainting the walls. You start by picking up the socks. One thing leads to the next, and before you know it, you’re making real progress.
The 1–2–3 Method to Find the First Thing to Fix
Pause & Look Around
Take a deep breath. Look at your life right now. Don’t zoom out so far that you see everything wrong — zoom in. Ask:
“What’s the thing that’s right here in front of me that I can actually touch, change, or move?”
Ask for a Second Set of Eyes
Sometimes we’re too close to our own mess to see clearly. Talk to someone you trust — a friend, mentor, parent, coach, counselor. Ask:
“If you were me, what’s the one thing you’d work on first?”
You’ll be surprised how often they can see the first step you’ve been missing.
Lock In & Block Out
Once you’ve got your “closest thing,” make it your main thing for now. Don’t try to fix ten other things at the same time. Stay on it until you see progress. That win will give you the energy to go after the next thing.
Quick Examples
If your grades are tanking → Start with one subject that’s easiest to improve.
If your room’s a disaster → Start with the floor so you can at least walk without tripping.
If your mental health feels heavy → Start with one healthy habit like walking outside for 10 minutes a day.
The Big Truth
Life gets fixed the same way a broken bike does — one part at a time.
When you find that one thing to focus on first, you stop feeling stuck and start moving forward.
