5 practical things to do when you feel like giving up (on life)

"It's always something."

That's what my mom would say when she finally solved what at the time was the biggest problem in her life, only to be faced with an even bigger biggest problem in her life. One thing after another. It's always something.

Then of course if you have 7 children, all of their problems are your problems too. But you don't have to be a mom to feel like your whole life is crashing down into a little pitiful pile of dust.

Whether you're a student, you work full-time, you're in ministry, a stay at home mom, an athlete, working part-time or any overwhelming combination of these, you have probably at some point felt like giving up.

So here are 5 practical things to do when you feel like giving up...on life.

1. Unplug.

When I think about all of the time I've lost that I could've spent growing, learning or sleeping, I can't help but notice that I spent most of that time on my phone or on my laptop.

Example. When I first get in the house after a long day,  I apparently like to reward myself by "unwinding" or scrolling down one all of my social media news feeds.

Time seems to move at a mysteriously quick pace when you're staring down at your phone. And if I know I need to get started on an assignment, I'll just convince myself I'll get started at the next hour
on the hour.

"Ok its 8:42, I'll start this paper at 9:00."

Next thing I know it is 11:15 and I am looking over at my sister Rachel like-

Sometimes we're stressed out because we are not seeing the results we want to see. We aren't getting that 4.0, we aren't even getting that 3.0, we aren't even getting that...you get it. We keep failing at work, a promotion isn't even an option, we can't get or keep a good job. We can't get in shape, we can't make the changes we wanted to make, we just can't EVER WIN.

Unplugging isn't limited to social media. Television and movies included.

There is always going to be a show people swear you have to watch because it's just The. Best. Show. Ever.

There is always going to be something new to try, listen to or buy. Sometimes you just have to unplug and miss out on a few.

Besides, you could be missing out on precious sleep.

2. Pray

And I am sure you have heard it before. But it's true! Sometimes we feel overwhelmed because we have shared what we are going through with everyone BUT God.

And then most people's advice is not even that good anyway and it just sends you running full speed back to Jesus.

Like when you're really broke and getting hungry and the super spiritual person tells you, you can just not eat, like Jesus (instead of actually giving you any food.)

Or the person who literally gives you the worst advice ever, like "just go on a shopping spree, you'll feel better."

WHO DO YOU THINK I AM?

Like I seriously can't even believe you just said that.

3. Go outside

Be active. Relieve some stress. Play a game. Chill out.

Remember how happy we were as kids when all we did was play outside?

Take a walk, shoot a basketball (if you're me, miss,) play catch, do something. There are a few games I love to play, actually I love to play pretty much all games, who am I kidding? But I know which ones really get me going.

Example. Ping pong. One does not simply walk past a ping pong table without playing.

4. Give.

Sometimes we are extremely busy with work and school or parenting or just life in general and we feel like we are in way over our heads.

Work and school don't feel rewarding. They feel draining. Volunteering locally or serving at church on the weekends is a great way to make you feel like you have accomplished something. To make you feel like not everything in your life is meaningless.

5. Give up on life.

Wait. Give me a chance.

I know.

The bible says

We can get so caught up in living our lives that we forget everything we are doing is supposed to be for Christ anyway. It's not really about us. God wants us to surrender our life to Him. Not a part of it and not just our Sunday mornings.

So don't feel bad if you need to repent and tell God that you are sorry you tried to do everything on your own, that you need him and you're...well you're giving up on life.

Now you're cooking with peanut oil.