Have you ever known exactly what you should do to feel better, but you just can’t seem to do it? You tell yourself to go for a walk, reach out to a friend, drink some water, or finally make that therapy appointment—but instead, you sit there, stuck.
If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone.
Mental health struggles can feel like a paradox. You might have all the knowledge, all the tools, and even a plan—but when it comes time to take action, something inside holds you back. It’s frustrating. It’s exhausting. And worst of all, it can make you feel like you’re failing.
But here’s the truth: You’re not failing. Your brain is struggling.
Why Does This Happen?
When we talk about mental health, we often focus on solutions—exercise, mindfulness, therapy, routines. But when your brain is in survival mode, those solutions can feel impossible.
Here’s why:
- Your brain sees everything as too much. When you’re overwhelmed, even small tasks can feel like climbing a mountain. Your brain isn’t trying to be difficult—it’s just stuck in a loop of exhaustion.
- Low motivation isn’t laziness. Depression, anxiety, and stress can make even basic tasks feel like monumental efforts. It’s not that you don’t want to help yourself—you just can’t find the energy.
- Your mind can work against you. Sometimes, mental health struggles come with a voice that whispers, What’s the point? It won’t help anyway. That voice isn’t the truth—it’s just a symptom of what you’re going through.
So, What Can You Do?
If you’re in this place, you don’t need a long list of “fixes.” You need small, doable steps that help you move forward without feeling overwhelmed.
1. Shrink the Task
If something feels too big, make it smaller. Instead of “I should clean my house,” try “I’ll pick up one thing.” Instead of “I need to exercise,” try “I’ll stretch for 30 seconds.”
Momentum starts with the smallest step. And when you take one, your brain starts to believe you can take another.
2. Talk to Yourself Like a Friend
If someone you loved was struggling, you wouldn’t tell them they’re lazy or failing. So why say that to yourself? Try, I know this is hard, but I’m doing my best today.
3. Remove the Pressure
Sometimes, the weight of “I have to do this” makes everything harder. What if, instead, you told yourself, I don’t have to do it all, but I can try one thing?
Giving yourself permission to do less can actually help you do more.
4. Reach Out in the Easiest Way Possible
If talking feels like too much, send a text. If a phone call feels overwhelming, message a friend with just a simple “Hey.” You don’t have to explain everything—you just have to break the silence.
5. Let Someone Else Help You Decide
When your brain is stuck, decision-making can feel impossible. Ask someone you trust: What’s one thing I could do today to feel just a little better? Sometimes, an outside perspective makes all the difference.
You’re Not Broken—You’re Just Struggling
It’s easy to feel like you should be able to think your way out of this. But mental health doesn’t work that way. Healing isn’t about forcing yourself to be “better”—it’s about meeting yourself where you are and taking steps, even tiny ones, toward feeling okay again.
And if you take nothing else from this, remember: Struggling doesn’t mean you’re failing. It just means you need support.
So if your brain is making everything feel impossible today, try one small step. Just one. It doesn’t have to be perfect. It just has to be something.
And if today isn’t the day? That’s okay too. Tomorrow is another chance.
Suzanne Horrocks 