5 Strategies To Help Find Clarity

With the idea of finding clarity comes an anticipated sense of relief or calm.

Whether we are unclear about who we are, what we are doing, why we are doing something, what we want in making a decision; confusion can feel disorienting because a change may be occurring about a belief, thought, or action you’ve held for a while.

You may not recognize confusion right away.

It can show up as difficulty focusing, difficulty making a decision, anxiety, feeling overwhelmed, and/or disorientation.

It’s murky territory, so it can feel tough to get clear again.

Often, you are in the middle of an internal shift or transition in your life when confusion surfaces.

You may notice you are reacting differently to situations than you expected.

You can also experience past reactions you thought you had already worked through which might lead to confusion about whether you have made progress you thought you had.

It’s okay if you thought you fully processed an event, and it keeps surfacing. This process can help you to explore your feelings rather than to dismiss them.

There are several ways to gain mental clarity and these 5 strategies may help you with finding clarity in the moment to eventually make a lasting change within yourself.

5 Strategies To Help With Finding Clarity

1. Acceptance of the Confusion

It’s okay not to have all of the answers. In fact, humility happens when you accept that you don’t have answers to everything.

When you accept that you are confused, you can start to identify ways to get clear again based on what you know about yourself.

It’s difficult to feel okay with knowing you don’t have it all figured out quite yet. Letting go of the outcome can feel scary because it may put you face-to-face with your lack of control in the situation.

When you accept that you are confused; you can take the next step in realizing that you don’t have control over people, places, or things.

Finding clarity doesn’t mean that you have everything figured out. Instead, it can mean you are ready to take the next best step in your life.

2. Get To Know Yourself

As you start to get to know yourself, you can help alleviate suffering attached to confusion.

You can use the insight that you have about yourself already to help you guide choices that will work best for you. If you enjoy baths to help you relax, be proactive.

If you don’t know what helps you to feel centered, at peace, or relaxed; try out different methods. You may enjoy a certain meal, activity, or going outdoors.

When you explore your likes and dislikes; you can better equip yourself with methods that work when you are feeling most confused.

Read More: “What Is Mindfulness and How To Be Mindful”

You don’t have to figure out your purpose in life yet, but getting to know yourself can be a start.

Meditation can be a useful method when you need to take a pause to get to know yourself better.

You can use meditation for 2 to 3 minutes at a time to get a better understanding of your needs.

Sit with yourself quietly to gain mental clarity and slow down your confused mind.

Meditation can also help with distraction. Sometimes, sitting with yourself quietly can help you to experience calm as you navigate how to develop a new skill.

While you are finding clarity, laughter and sleep tend to help in times of confusion. It’s not if confusion will happen; it is when it will happen.

Help yourself out by learning what works best for you as you continue your personal growth journey.

3. Stay Open To Getting Answers You May Not Like

Clarity can bring confusion. You may not want to act on feelings that surface when you finally get clear with yourself.

You may be in a holding pattern because your actions feel comfortable. You may not feel ready to explore other options.

You can be gentle with yourself as you stay open to answers that feel right to you. If something surfaces and you don’t feel ready, you don’t have to act on it right away.

In fact, you may want to talk it out with a mental health professional. Instead of dwelling or ruminating, you can gain insightwith what feels best for you.

In times of uncertainty, it is helpful to remember your intention. You can’t always control outcomes, but you can go back to your inspiration as many times as you need. The serenity prayer can help.

This may take leadership and confidence, especially if the answers don’t fit your expectations. You may want to question your findings.

Deciding what is best for you is part of the process.

Finding clarity means you may experience uncomfortable answers, but they can help you achieve the success and happiness that matter most to you in ways you least expected.

4. Identify Core Values and Beliefs

Exploring your core values can help you come back to yourself in times of confusion.

If you know that your number one value is integrity, it can help to ask yourself how to show it in your current situation.

If honesty matters the most to you, discern how to remain truthful during the confusing event.

By coming back to your core values and beliefs, you can be more flexible in times of confusion. You are the person who can navigate this best.

Identifying core values and beliefs can help you to discover a goal, idea, or lesson that matters most to you in your daily life.

When you know what’s important to you, you can lead yourself with your example.

It takes bravery, but you have the tools inside of you already.

Getting in touch with those tools may be challenging when you are feeling anxious, overwhelmed or unsure.

A clinical mental health therapist who specializes in values-based therapeutic approaches like those at Denver Metro Counseling, can be help you become clear on your values and create a path forward.

5. Practice Patience

Sometimes, the best method when you are confused is to wait it out. Confusion often disguises fear. Patience is not always the fun choice, but it may allow the dust to settle.

Instead of doing, going, and exploring; be patient. You may not have all the knowledge you need to move forward.

Read More: “Five Truths About Self-Love: The Benefits And How-Tos”

It can be frustrating when you want to control the outcome but slowing down can help you to speed up in finding your joy, whatever that means for you.

When you take a moment to yourself and listen to the tiny voice inside of you, many answers surface.

You may need to practice this several times to get clear on the next best step for you.

That’s okay. You will discover how to treat yourself kindly in this situation if you allow it.

Practice patience when nothing else seems to work.

Finding clarity in a time of confusion can be difficult, but you have everything that you need to make the best choice for you.

Whether you want to make a career change, shift a relationship, get to know yourself on a deeper level, or find talentand passion; you deserve a life that you want to live.

You may need support from trusted friends, family, and a professional therapist. That’s okay.

Rather than getting stuck in confusion, you can shift your perspective. Clarity is worth the wait.

You don’t always have to do in order to exist. Going from confusion to clarity is possible.

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Written by: Randi Thackeray, MA
Clinically Reviewed and Edited by: Julie Reichenberger, MA, LPC, ACS, ACC