When Life Feels Like a Storm: How to Keep Moving Forward

Life is such an unpredictable journey, isn’t it? Sometimes it feels like we’re cruising along, and then suddenly we hit a bend so sharp it feels like everything’s spinning out of control. I’ve been there too (you know, before you become a psychologist and turn immune to life’s challenges), feeling completely stuck, questioning my choices, or just plain unsure of what to do next. But over time, I’ve learned that those moments, as painful and disorienting as they can be, are also where growth sneaks in. They’re invitations to rediscover who we are and what really matters to us. I hope that as we share this space together, we can navigate these transitions with a bit more ease, and maybe even find clarity along the way.

Change has never been something I’ve naturally welcomed with open arms. If anything, I’ve resisted it, holding on tightly to what feels comfortable, even if it no longer serves me. But life doesn’t let you stand still for long, does it? It throws curveballs, shakes things up, and sometimes forces you to adapt whether you’re ready or not.

When my mum passed away, it shattered my sense of stability. Watching someone I loved so deeply suffer and knowing there were things I couldn’t fix was heartbreaking. And yet, even in that grief, I found something unexpected, a reminder of how resilient we are, how life keeps moving, and how change, though painful, brings transformation too. However, this was only possible when I learned to accept my grief.

It reminds me of the trees in my childhood home I used to love sitting under when I needed a moment to think. Trees don’t cling to their leaves in autumn; they let them fall, trusting they’ll grow back in the spring. I like to think we’re a bit like that, shedding what we need to and growing back stronger, even if it takes time.

The truth is, when we fight change, we fight ourselves. It’s exhausting and often makes things worse. But when we learn to move with it, to lean into it even when it’s scary, we open ourselves up to new possibilities. And honestly, isn’t that what makes life a little magical?

When I was deciding whether to start this blog and YouTube channel about mental health and gaming, I had so many doubts. Would people care? Would it make any difference? I went round in circles trying to figure out the "right" answer, and at some point, I realised I was completely disconnected from what mattered to me.

That’s when I started thinking of it like finding my own compass, something that points me back to my core values. For me, it’s about using creativity to connect with others, about helping people feel seen and understood. That’s my north star.

But finding your path isn’t always straightforward, is it? Sometimes it feels like wandering through a foggy forest, not knowing if you’re heading anywhere meaningful. That’s OK. Life isn’t about always knowing. It’s about trying things out, exploring, and allowing yourself to walk away from what doesn’t feel right.

If you’re feeling lost right now, I want to encourage you to sit with what matters to you. What excites you? What gives you peace? What aligns with your sense of who you are? Those are your clues.

I won’t lie, there have been times when I’ve felt like I was completely falling apart. Times when the weight of uncertainty felt too much to carry. Losing my mum, struggling with trying to balance a career I’m passionate about with my sense of self. It’s been a lot.

It’s easy to get caught in the whirlwind of emotions and feel like you’re drowning in it all. But I’ve found that if I let myself sit in the storm, if I let the rain soak through and just feel what I’m feeling, eventually, the clouds part. The storm passes.

There’s something freeing about accepting that you don’t have to have it all figured out. Life is never designed to be a perfectly straight path. It’s like a toddler’s first drawing with random twists and turns, and eventually there comes the moments when you finally realise where you’re meant to be heading.

For me, part of that is sharing these stories with you.

What’s your next step? What’s one thing you can do today to lean into where life is leading you? It doesn’t have to be huge. Sometimes, just a small decision, a little action, can make all the difference.

We’re all navigating this unpredictable, messy, beautiful journey together. And I think that’s what makes it worth it. It’s the fact that we’re never truly alone, even when it feels like it.