How to Take Back Control of Your Life in Six Weeks (Even If It Feels Like a Dumpster Fire Right Now)

Ever feel like your life is running you instead of the other way around?

Everything’s overwhelming. 

You’re drowning in a sea of unfinished tasks, relentless self-doubt, and your thoughts are spiralling.

One minute, you’re making a to-do list with the best intentions — next thing you know, you’re doom-scrolling for the next two hours. 

Your to-do list is mocking you, and honestly?

You’re exhausted.

Maybe you keep thinking, Why can’t I just get it together? Other people seem to manage. What’s wrong with me?

Or maybe it’s more like “I don’t even know where to begin, so what’s the point?”

Sound familiar?

I know that feeling all too well.

Continual firefighting characterised my experience for years. My to-do list wasn’t just a list — it was a relentless flood of concerns.

Caring for my sick mum meant juggling hospital appointments, shopping, finding suitable housing for her, and dealing with all the unexpected challenges that came with it.

Simultaneously, personal health issues, anxiety, and existential questioning what the point of it all was.

When I thought I was making progress, life had a way of blindsiding me.

It felt like I was on the back foot, reacting instead of ever getting ahead. The weight of it all was crushing.

At times, I felt like a broken mess.

If any of that resonates with you, let’s get one thing straight — no matter how desperate or chaotic things may seem — you’re not broken. You’re not lazy.

You’re stuck in survival mode.

And when stress overwhelms the brain; clarity and motivation go out the window.

Let’s hit pause.

You don’t need another lecture on productivity or someone telling you to “just think positive.”

You need a way to stop the chaos, take a breath, and slowly — step by step — claw back control.

This guide will help you to:

• Tackle your biggest stressors
• Lay foundations for stability
• Develop resilience & handle setbacks
• Get clear on what you want for sustainable change
• Celebrate and reward yourself

Over the next six weeks, you’ll create simple, doable shifts that will help you feel more grounded, focused, and in charge of your life again.

No more spiralling. No more drowning. No fluff. No impossible routines.

Just a practical, soul-nourishing plan to help you feel in control again.

Just small, steady steps toward feeling like you again.

And the best part? You don’t have to do it all — pick your essentials from each week’s suggestions.

Ready?

Let’s begin.

Week 1: Escape Survival Mode

Currently, existence resembles incessant problem-solving. You put out one fire, and another one sparks up.

No wonder you’re exhausted.

Before you can take control, you need to stop reacting to life like it’s an emergency every damn minute.

Step 1: Clear Mental Clutter

Your mind is like an overstuffed attic — full of things you don’t even realise are weighing you down.

Negative thoughts, unfinished tasks, mental to-do lists scribbled in the back of your mind.

It’s a lot.

Grab a piece of paper.

Write everything on your mind. Big things. Small things. Tasks you keep meaning to do but perpetually put off. 

Get it out of your head and onto paper where you can see it.

Why?

Because when it’s swirling around in your brain, it feels 100 times bigger than it is.

But when you see it laid out, suddenly, it’s just stuff. Manageable stuff.

Step 2: Identify Energy Drains

Some things in your life aren’t just stressful — they’re soul-sucking.

People. Habits. That pile of unopened letters giving you the side-eye. Pay attention to what’s quietly draining your energy.

Ask yourself: What makes me feel worse every time I engage with it?

Maybe it’s social media, doom-scrolling, watching the news. Maybe it’s frequently saying yes when you really want to say no.

For now, just notice them. Awareness is the first step to taking back control.

Step 3: Prioritise What Needs Immediate Attention

Now you’ve got everything laid out, it’s time to sift through the chaos. Look at your list.

Once it’s all out in front of you, highlight the heavyweights.

Things that drain your energy, spike your anxiety, or make you feel completely powerless.

Pick three key areas that need the most urgent focus. Not five. Not ten. Just three. 

Why? Because when everything feels overwhelming, trying to fix everything guarantees you’ll fix nothing.

Is it your job? Finances? Relationships? Health? Seeing it in black and white makes it easier to figure out what’s holding you back.

Then ask: If I could fix just one thing right now, what would make the biggest impact?

Start there.

If finances are a mess, the first step isn’t “make more money.” 

It’s something small and concrete, like tracking your expenses. Working a plan to manage money effectively.

If your home feels chaotic, it’s not “get organised.” It’s clearing one drawer. Small wins create momentum. (See Week 3).

Key Takeaways: Week 1

✅ Brain dump everything weighing on your mind — tasks, worries, to-dos. Get it on paper.

✅ Spot your biggest energy drains — people, habits, or unfinished tasks stealing your focus.

✅ Prioritise what needs attention.

Week 2: Reclaim Your Time & Cut Out the Noise

Your time isn’t the problem.

It’s how you’re using it.

If you ever feel like there’s never enough, that’s because your time is leaking — through distractions, obligations, and endless overthinking.

Step 1: Create a “Hell Yes” Filter

Not everything deserves a spot on your calendar.

If it’s not a “hell yes,” it’s a no.

Sounds brutal? Good.

Because right now, you’re stretched too thin, and you need to get ruthless about what matters.

Use this filter for everything — tasks, commitments, even social interactions.

If it doesn’t bring you closer to where you want to be — mentally, emotionally, or practically — then why are you spending time on it?

Step 2: Set Boundaries Without the Guilt

If setting boundaries makes you nervous, you’re not alone.

Saying no can feel selfish — especially if you’ve spent years putting others first.

But here’s the truth: your time is just as valuable as anyone else’s.

Start small.

If someone asks for something and you don’t want to do it, try:

• “I’d love to help, but I’ve got too much on my plate right now.”
• “I can’t commit to that, but I hope it goes well!”
• “That doesn’t work for me, but thanks for thinking of me.”

No justifications, long-winded excuses or guilt.

Key Takeaways: Week 2

✅ Use the “Hell Yes” filter — if it’s not a hell yes, it’s a no. Cut the non-essential.

✅ Set boundaries guilt-free — practice short, firm responses when saying no.

✅ Identify time leaks — where is your time disappearing? Social media? Over committing? Fix it.

Week 3: Declutter Your Space, Declutter Your Mind

Ever notice how messy spaces make you feel more chaotic inside? 

There’s a direct relationship between your inner and outer environment.

Your space might feel like a reflection of your inner world — cluttered, chaotic, out of control. 

And that’s frustrating because no matter how much you try to get a handle on things, the mess creeps back.

But what if you didn’t have to fix everything at once? Could small, simple changes shift not only your space, but your mindset too?

Your environment affects your mental state. Reclaim your space — without overwhelming yourself.

My mum, bless her (she’s gone now), was a terrible hoarder, and there were piles of clutter everywhere as I grew up.

I know what it’s like. It reflects your inner state.

I once spent three days clearing, sorting, and tidying her place and made at least two or three trips to the dump. 

What a difference it made.

The problem was I did it for her, and whilst the effects were significant, they didn’t last. She wasn’t doing the inner work.

Once I left, the clutter soon returned.

Step 1: Start With the Quick Wins

If your home looks like a bomb went off, don’t try to fix everything at once. Pick one thing. The easiest thing.

Maybe it’s clearing off a desk. Or it’s tackling that one drawer where chaos goes to die.

Small wins build momentum. 

Don’t underestimate the power of a single, tidy corner to make you feel more in control.

Step 2: Create a Daily Reset Ritual

Clutter doesn’t happen overnight. It creeps in slowly — until suddenly, you’re wading through piles of stuff, wondering how it got this bad.

The fix? A 10-minute reset.

Prioritise ten minutes for tidying before sleep. EVERY night.

No deep cleaning — resetting.

It’s amazing how much lighter you’ll feel when your space isn’t screaming chaos at you 24/7.

Tip 1 Focus on one room (or area of a room) at a time. Have a box to distribute elsewhere later. Otherwise, you’ll be running back and forth like a headless chicken.

Have another box for trash you’re going to chuck. A third box may be necessary for recyclables/charity.

Tip 2 Don’t tackle paperwork if you want to quickly clear up an area.

You’ll end up reading stuff and getting sucked in, doing very little. 

Leave that for a specific morning or afternoon and set a couple of hours aside.

Tip 3 Reward Yourself — to cement the habit, treat yourself to a (non-food related) perk.

Key Takeaways: Week 3

✅ Start small — tackle one cluttered space for an instant mental boost.
✅ Create a daily reset — 10 minutes each night to tidy up, no deep cleaning required.
✅ Pay attention to your environment — notice how a clear space affects your mindset.

Week 4: Rebuild Self-Trust & Quiet the Inner Critic

If you’ve been stuck in a cycle of self-doubt, second-guessing every decision, I get it.

It’s exhausting to constantly battle that inner voice telling you you’re not good enough, that you’ll mess up, that you don’t have what it takes.

But here’s the truth: Self-trust is something you’re born with.

Little children inherently trust themselves, like when learning to walk. They don’t doubt whether they can or will be able to.

At some point, someone or something—a parent, teacher, friend, partner, religion, or society—eroded your self-belief.

The good news is it’s something you can ‘rebuild’. In truth, you’re not rebuilding it, you never lost it, it became covered up by false beliefs, thoughts and perceptions you created (bought into).

This week marks the beginning of rebuilding trust in yourself.

Step 1: Keep Small Promises to Yourself

If you don’t trust yourself, it’s probably because you’ve broken too many promises — to yourself.

You say you’ll wake up early, but you don’t. 

You say you’ll work out, but you bail. 

Every time, it chips away at your confidence.

A Low Bar

Jordan Peterson says, “set a low bar,” which seems counterintuitive.

The premise is, many people set an impossibly high bar, fail, and become despondent. 

However, setting an achievable goal slightly outside your comfort zone gives you a reasonable probability of success.

“There’s something that you could do that you are regarding as trivial, and that (if) you would do, that would result in an actual improvement. But it’s not a big enough improvement for you, so you won’t lower yourself enough to take the opportunity.” ~ Jordan Peterson

Start small.

Not some big, overwhelming commitment. 

One small promise.

Maybe it’s drinking a glass of water first thing in the morning. 

Or stretching for five minutes.

Getting off the bus one stop early and walking the rest. The start of your fitness journey.

Whatever it is, do it. No matter what.

Prove to yourself that your word means something.

Step 2: Stop Overthinking, Start Doing

Overthinking is like quicksand — the longer you stand in it, the deeper you sink.

But here’s the trick: You don’t need to feel confident to take action. You need to take action to feel confident.

I’ve been the worst procrastinator in life. Never thought I was ready.

“Action drives out thought”~ Sam Ovens

You can’t get it wrong. You never fail, you learn. 

Failure, if anything, is doing nothing and hoping for change.

Pick one thing you’ve been stuck on. A decision you’ve been agonising over.

Now, make the call. Right now.

No more circling the drain of self-doubt. 

The more you act, the more you’ll trust yourself to handle whatever comes next.

Key Takeaways: Week 4

✅ Keep Small Promises — Start with one tiny commitment and follow through. Self-trust is built through action.
✅ Stop Overthinking — Confidence comes from doing, not waiting to feel ready. Make the decision and move forward.
✅ Challenge Self-Doubt — Notice when you second-guess yourself and push through it. Trust that you can handle what comes next.

Week 5: Master Your Mindset & Rewire Negative Thoughts

Your thoughts create your reality.

You’re not broken for having negative thoughts. You’re human.

The problem isn’t that those thoughts pop up — it’s that they’ve been running the show for too long.

If you’ve been stuck in self-doubt or fear, it’s not because you’re weak. It’s because your brain has been wired to protect you.

But you can change the script and reclaim your sanity.

A constant internal monologue of self-doubt — “I can’t,” “I’m not good enough,” “What if I fail?” — is a problem. 

Because guess what? 

That’s the life you’re going to live: Fear. Worry. Inner Angst.

This was me! 

I’m here to encourage you it is possible to overcome this sticky morass of churning negativity.

Step 1: Rewrite the Story in Your Head

Right now, your brain is running a programme. 

Old beliefs. Outdated fears. Stories you’ve been telling yourself for years.

Time to change the script.

Every time you catch yourself thinking something negative about yourself, ask:

Is this true? Or is this just an old fear trying to keep me safe?

Then replace it.

Instead of “I always mess things up,” try: “I’m learning as I go, and that’s okay.”

Instead of “I can’t handle this,” say: “I’ve handled hard things before. I’ll handle this too.”

As I write these words, it’s easy for my inner critic to say, “Who the f**k are you, and who’s going to listen to you, anyway?”

And the ‘old’ me said this and worse — and I hindered myself from taking any action.

Now I know better.

You don’t have to believe your negative thoughts. 

You can counter them.

Question their validity. 

It doesn’t matter why you’re having them or what happened in the past.

You’re having the thought now. Don’t buy into it. Change it. Question it.

Is it true? Is it absolutely true? Can you be sure?

Everyone thinks that their problem and situation is unique. It’s not.

Globally, comparable scenarios and occurrences, with minor differences, unfold among many people.

There are archetypal thoughts and beliefs everyone has.

Everyone experiences self-doubt and negative thoughts, but they are not absolute truths.

The belief you’re not good enough, others are judging you, or failure defines you is a shared human experience, not a unique reality.

Skills can be learned, setbacks are stepping stones, and life doesn’t follow a fixed timeline. 

Question your thoughts — are they true, or old narratives holding you back?

Sounds simple but the more you challenge those thoughts, the less power they have over you.

Step 2: Create an Emotional Anchor

Life will still throw curveballs.

But when you’ve got an anchor — something that instantly grounds you — you’ll handle them better.

• Maybe it’s deep breathing.
• A playlist that shifts your mood.
• Stepping outside and feeling the sun on your skin.

Find what works for you. And use it when the storm hits.

Key Takeaways: Week 5

✅ Rewrite Your Inner Story — Catch negative thoughts and replace them with something more empowering.

✅ Question Old Beliefs — Ask yourself: Is this true, or fear talking?

✅ Create an Emotional Anchor — Find a quick way to ground yourself when life gets overwhelming.

Week 6: Take Bold Action & Build the Life You Want

You’re not just fixing the present.

You’re setting the foundation for a life that feels good to live.

Maybe you’ve tried before and it didn’t work out.

The idea of making a big change feels terrifying because — what if you fail?

That’s completely normal.

But what’s the alternative? Staying stuck, waiting for the “perfect” time that never comes?

You don’t need all the answers. Take the next step is all.

Step 1: Get Clear on What You Want

If you don’t know where you’re going, you’ll keep drifting.

Define what “in control” looks like for you.

Is it having a calm morning routine? Feeling financially stable? Being able to say no without guilt?

Write it. Get specific.

Step 2: Take One Bold Step

You don’t need to have it all figured out. You need to take the next step. One thing that moves you forward.

This is a return to the theme explored in Week 4.

• Apply for that job.
• Have the hard conversation.
• Sign up for the class.

Whatever it is — do it.

Because the secret to taking back control is not about having a perfect plan. It’s about making a move.

What are you resisting doing?

You know in your heart what you are resisting. And if you don’t take action, you’ll remain stuck.

Is that what you want?

You think by going for it, something terrible might happen. 

And maybe, it won’t work out the way you hope or expect. 

But you will have learned from it enough to continue in another direction.

Show some bravery and take a risk!

Key Takeaways: Week 6

✅ Get Clear on What You Want — Define what “taking control” means for you. Write it down.

✅ Take One Bold Step — Stop waiting. Do something today that moves you forward.

✅ Action Over Perfection — You don’t need the perfect plan. You need to start.

This Is Where It All Changes

Right now, a small part of you might be thinking, This all sounds great… but can I really do it?

Maybe you’ve tried before. And life has knocked you down so many times it feels safer to stay where you are than try for something better.

Because what if you fail? What if you slip back into the same old patterns? Maybe this is simply who you are?

Stop. Right. There.

That voice in your head — the one whispering doubts, telling you that change isn’t possible — it’s lying.

It’s not you. It’s just a tired old story your mind keeps playing on repeat.

But guess what?

You’re not that story. You’re the one telling it. And that means you can rewrite the ending.

Six weeks from now, you could stand in a new life feeling lighter.

One where your mind isn’t a war zone, your space isn’t a disaster zone, and your time isn’t slipping through your fingers.

A life where you trust yourself. Where you feel grounded. Where you wake up in the morning and believe I’ve got this.

It won’t happen all at once. But the moment you take the first step — the moment you decide — everything shifts.

Don’t wait for permission. Don’t wait for the perfect moment. Don’t let fear keep you frozen for one more second.

This is your moment.

Take it. Own it. Live it.