11 undeniable signs you need a major change in life

Has there ever been a point in your life when you feel like you’re just going through the motions? Do you feel like you’re dead inside or you’re not living the life your soul intends?

If this is you, you’re not alone. Trust me, I know how you feel. It’s not always easy when you’ve lost the excitement that comes with living a life you truly love.

But if there’s one thing I want you to believe, it’s this: You’re capable of great things. You can put yourself in a position to grow and change. And it all starts with you!

In this article, we’ll talk about the undeniable signs you need a major change in life, and what you can do about them starting today.

Let’s dive in!

1) You’re often bored

Don’t get me wrong, a little bit of boredom is a good thing. 

But when you find yourself having too many of these dull moments and you feel disconnected from life or anxiously disengaged, it’s a sign that something’s not right.

Next time you feel bored, remember that you have control over how you will respond to this uncomfortable emotion. 

Don’t just stay in your head and wait for someone to come along and fill you up. Take action.

Try something new. Savor the simple pleasures. Make friends with different people. Offer to help someone in need.

There are many simple yet powerful things you can do every day so you won’t feel bored any longer.

2) You’re always exhausted

Has feeling tired all the time become the norm for you? Do you find yourself exhausted the moment you get up in the morning even though you’ve had more than enough hours of sleep?

Many sneaky factors could be sapping your energy, and some of them may be related to your health (in which case it’s always a good idea to see a doctor).

But it could also be that you’ve stopped caring about things that excite you or you feel that life is meaningless.

Try little things that can help you re-energize when you’re tired of being tired

Break out of your routine. Exercise. Go outside. Connect with others. These small changes can help you stop the monotony patterns from draining your enthusiasm for life.

3) You feel burned out

This one’s related to my earlier point about how you feel careless about life but on an extremely different level.

When you’re burning out, you struggle to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Your morale is at an all-time low and you feel like nothing is worth bothering. 

Sure, some aspects of life are out of your control, but you can focus on what you CAN change. 

Hitting rock bottom is a wake-up call to create a positive change in your life.

It’s an opportunity to slow down and gain perspective. Ask yourself: What are the steps I can take to make my life more enjoyable and fulfilling?

4) You feel stuck

sabotaging your own happiness 11 undeniable signs you need a major change in life

Maybe you’ve hit a plateau in your life — whether in your relationships, health, job, and more. 

You know that everything’s not okay, but you have a hard time figuring out what to do next.

If you’re trapped in a rut, don’t panic. Yes, getting out of it is a lot of hard work, but it isn’t impossible. You can start by recognizing what’s stopping you from moving forward.

Is it fear of failure or success? Is it because you’re overwhelmed? Is it because you don’t know how to do something?

Start reassessing where you are in life and what you want to achieve. When you get clear on your goals, it’ll be easier to carve a path and make a change. 

5) You feel lost

Are you at a point where you don’t know what to do or where to start? Or maybe you’re interested in a lot of things but you don’t know what to pursue.

Or when someone asks you what you want to do with your life, your answer is silence. 

If you feel lost in life in general, you’re not alone. And it doesn’t mean you’ll stay that way forever.

It may be a sign that you need to go through a major transformation. Challenge yourself to do even just one thing differently.

See your situation from a new angle and switch up your approach. It’ll lead you to more possibilities to evolve.

6) You lack motivation

Ok, I know what you’re thinking. Your life is good for the most part, but you can’t help but feel uninspired throughout the day. 

You just have zero drive for activities you’d normally enjoy doing. 

The thing is, a lot of things can kill your motivation in its tracks. It’s a sign that you need to regroup and re-spark your energy.

Finding motivation is easier said than done, but I find that it pays to never lose sight of your goal. 

Take things one step at a time and always go back to the ‘why’ of everything you’re doing.

7) You’re unhappy with your career

Feeling unsatisfied at work is one of the most obvious signs you need a significant change. 

At the end of the day, spending dozens of hours at work that makes you miserable just adds to your stress and can have a devastating impact on your life.

Think about this for a minute: Do you really hate your job? Or do you need to reframe your mindset and find meaning in what you’re doing?

If you’ve tried this and you’re still unhappy, then maybe it’s time to find or create work that excites you and gives you a deeper sense of purpose.

8) You’re overly negative

Do people say that you’re becoming more and more irritable? Do minor inconveniences easily frustrate you? Do you approach everything with a ‘no’ or a ‘can’t?’ 

This lackluster outlook is a sign that you need a major change in attitude. Many studies have shown the power of positive thinking.

Knowing that it’s good for you is only half the battle. Cultivating a positive outlook, however, is an entirely different concept.

Start by giving yourself a mini pep talk every day. Stop negative thoughts in their tracks by keeping in mind the things you are grateful for and the things you are proud of yourself for.

9) You’re neglecting self-care

ways to overcome procrastination 11 undeniable signs you need a major change in life

Do you find yourself skipping the necessities and needing to remember to nourish your body and mind?

And it can get worse: You’ve developed unhealthy coping habits like smoking, overeating, and excessive alcohol use.

If this is you, it’s a glaring sign that you need to up the ante in self-care. Putting your health and well-being first is key to having a fulfilling life. 

Whether it’s through exercise, meditation, going to the spa, or more, take your ‘Me Time’ seriously and do things that make you happy. 

10) You’re struggling to maintain meaningful relationships

Do you feel disconnected from the people who truly matter? Are you experiencing issues with family members, friends, or your significant other?

Have you lost the desire to socialize or engage people in your inner circle?

These are all signs that you need to make big changes in your life. 

A key takeaway from the world’s longest study on adult development is this: The quality of your relationships affects your happiness and well-being in the long run.

In other words, the happiest and healthiest people are those who are more connected to family, friends, and the community.

Don’t miss out on opportunities to spend time with the people who matter most. Be present and build stronger relationships.

11) You feel unfulfilled

Do you feel like you no longer want to merely survive, paying the bills and getting by each month? Do you feel envious of other people’s success?

Or maybe you’ve had your share of success but the emptiness is eating you up. Maybe you’ve been spending your days searching for that missing link.

If you feel restless, it’s a sign that you need to take that big leap. Do you have dreams that you’ve been putting off for far too long? Find ways to pursue your passion.

Life is too short to be lived with moments of regret. Muster the courage to do what you have always wanted to.

Final thoughts

If any of the signs above resonate with you, it’s time to listen to your heart and take the next step.

Yes, change can be very painful and growth can be very uncomfortable. But that doesn’t mean you should settle for less.

You can live the kind of life you want to live, and it starts with making a choice. 

Picture of Maria Fatima Reyes

Maria Fatima Reyes

Fat Niebres is a freelance writer who loves to chase stories that matter. She finds meaning and inspiration in the mundane. When she's not writing, she's probably reading, eating, traveling, or having deep conversations with her husband. She brings her experience in broadcast, print, and NGO communications, and has been published in the Philippine Daily Inquirer and Inquirer.net.

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