There are different ways to express gratitude.  One way is to express it out loud to yourself or to another person.  Another way, which is my personal favorite, is to write down what you're thankful for in a gratitude journal.

2. ORGANIZE YOUR LIFE.

Getting your life back in order means organizing and cleaning up debris internally and externally.  External organizing is getting rid of material things you don't need, to create a space that is simple and flowing.

Internal organizing is giving up intangible things that don't add value to your life like ruminating thoughts, limiting beliefs, or toxic relationships.  Organizing your life is a process with many different styles, like the KonMari system by Marie Kondo or The Minimalists' approach to getting more organized and living a simpler lifestyle.  Do your own research until you find a system that resonates with you to help you get your life back together.

3. FIND YOUR PASSION AND PURPOSE IN LIFE.

Discovering your passions and living a more purposeful life can help you get back on track because they both bring inspiration, meaning, and focus in your life.

Having a purpose in life is like having a compass to guide you through life, especially for those times when you feel lost or distressed.  Knowing your life's purpose or having a purpose in life has even been associated with better health outcomes and reduced mortality.

You can start with knowing who you truly are.  Answer the following questions with honesty:

• What is my dream job?
• Who do I look up to or admire?
• What are my favorite topics to talk about?
• What are my skills and talents?
• How do I want to be remembered?

If you want more help with this, you can download this free guide to help you know yourself better so you can find your passion and purpose to get your life back on track.

3. WHAT MOTIVATES YOU IN LIFE?

Motivation can be a powerful driving force to help you get your life back together.  It is the catalyst that helps propel you forward, especially when you feel uninspired or life is kicking you in the butt.

To help you find motivation, here are some questions you can ask yourself:

• Who or what do I turn to when I need advice?
• Is there anything that excites me right now?
• What is one simple goal that I can easily achieve?
• What have I accomplished in the past that I'm proud of?
• What does my ideal life look like?

4. FIND WHAT MAKES YOU HAPPY.

In his book, The Art of Happiness, the 14th Dalai Lama said that the purpose in life is to be happy.  Happiness can be achieved by getting your basic needs met and then training the heart and mind to maintain it.

Both eudaimonic and hedonic happiness can lift you up and motivate you to get your life back together.  Hedonic happiness can lift you up quickly, like retail therapy, or eating your favorite dessert.  But it can be temporary and really needs to be in moderation.

Eudaimonic happiness comes from within and is longer lasting and transformative.  I made a list of some examples, but keep in mind that happiness is subjective and what makes you happy may not be the case for someone else.

• Volunteering at a homeless shelter.
• Learning how to speak another language.
• Traveling around the world with a friend.
• Reigniting a relationship.
• Donating money to a non-profit organization.

5. STOP BEING LAZY.

Okay, being lazy has its place and purpose, like when you're tired or you just need a break so you can reset.  However, if it starts to interfere with your normal activities and wellbeing, then it's time for a change.

When I say change, I don't mean doing something drastic.  In fact, I recommend starting with something small or going at it very slowly because you don't want to get discouraged or give up if things don't work out.

You can start with living your life with more intention.  Being intentional is living your life proactively and bringing more awareness into your life.  By living life with more intention, you define what your values and beliefs are so they create more meaning in your life.

6. DON'T OVERTHINK SO MUCH.

I used to be one of those people who thinks too much.  It became so problematic that I developed generalized anxiety because of it.  I was able to get my life back together by training my mind not to think so much.

Getting mentally unstuck from something like that is difficult, though.  The trick I learned, which is also a good first step, is to realize that you can't stop the flow of thoughts in your head.  Once you accept this, one method you can try to stop overthinking is meditation.  Meditation is a skill that takes time, patience, and practice.

The great thing about meditating is that there are so many different types out there and you don't have to sit silently in a lotus position for hours.  Plus, you can do it just about anywhere.  You can also walk, eat, or simply become aware of the present moment while you meditate.

7. GET YOUR LIFE IN SHAPE AND TAKE CARE OF YOUR HEALTH.

If you want to get your life back on track, then getting in shape is a must do.  This means getting physically, mentally, and emotionally fit.  Some examples are:

• Getting adequate rest.
• Minimizing stressors.
• Eating nutritious foods.
• Staying hydrated with fluids.
• Getting enough exercise

Getting your health back is a fundamental step to getting your life back because if your health is bad, you're no good to anyone, even yourself.

You don't have to start in a particular place, you can just begin with a willingness to change your health for the better.  Having this awareness will bring it into focus and then you will come up with ways to get yourself back in shape.

8. GET TO KNOW WHO YOU TRULY ARE.

Knowing who you are is a simple task, but it requires courage and honesty.  It is going within to discover what it is that makes you, you.  It's also bringing to light, the things that you sometimes don't want to see about yourself.

When you know who you are at the core, you are more likely to trust and have confidence in yourself, and subsequently get your life back together.  Here are some questions to help you know who you are:

• What do I love?
• What are my strengths?
• What are my weaknesses?
• What do I want to change about myself?
• What is my calling?

9. DEFINE YOUR CORE VALUES.

Values are important to helping you get your life back on track because they shape the way you perceive and react in the world.  It can be hard to distinguish your core values from those you may have adopted from other people.

For example, you value recognition, but your parents and particular circle of friends believe that it is wrong to think so highly of yourself.

Defining your core values will help you focus on what matters most to you in life.  They might even go against what other people value, even those in your close circle.

However, it's important to stay focused on them if you want to live a life that is fulfilling and meaningful.  Here are just a few questions to help you get started:

• What's the most important thing to me right now?
• What makes me excited to get up in the morning?
• Why did I choose my life partner?
• If money and time were not a factor, what would I be doing right now?
• What was a valuable life lesson that I learned?

10. IDENTIFY YOUR CORE BELIEFS.

Your beliefs can influence the way you think, and subsequently your behavior.  Therefore, identifying your core beliefs can be beneficial to getting your life back together.

Your core beliefs can come from you personally, like believing you will graduate from college, despite the odds stacked against you and what everyone else thinks about you.

Becoming aware of what your beliefs are will make them more malleable.  It allows you to discern between personal and societal beliefs.  Knowing this will help you understand your thought patterns and behavior better so that beliefs can act as a guide that serves you rather than something that is dictating your life.

11.  TALK TO SOMEONE.

Talking to someone about getting your life back together can be difficult because it can leave you vulnerable.  So be sure to choose someone who you can trust before you open up the conversation.

Reaching out to another person can be beneficial because you might gain valuable insights that you may not have been aware of.  Or you might be in contemplation mode and in need of a boost of confidence or confirmation before you initiate the process.

Here are some examples of how talking to someone can benefit you and how to start:

• Find a group of like-minded people.
• Look for a mentor who can guide you.
• Get a consultant that can give you advice.
• Speak with a therapist or counselor.
• Hire a life coach to be your support.
• Speak to a confidante, who is a person who you completely trust.
• Talk to your religious or spiritual leader.
• Call your best friend and tell them what's going on.
• Confide in a close family member.
• Start networking.
• Ask someone for help.
• Get professional help.
• Talk to someone about your feelings.

12. OVERCOME YOUR FEARS.

Fears were designed to protect you, but these days, they can act as an impediment in your life.  They can keep you from getting your life back in order because they often stop you from moving forward or trying something new.

Depending on how you perceive and react to them, some fears are easier to overcome than others.  Sometimes, fears can be confused with other emotions and feelings, like intense excitement.

Once you are aware of a fear, you can begin to understand it.  Sometimes a fear can be difficult to face, so seek some help from someone you trust or get help from a professional.

13. HAVE CONFIDENCE IN YOURSELF.

Confidence is something that does not come naturally to me and I'm sure that some of you can relate.  There might be certain things you do that you are more competent, and confident in, than others.

For instance, I am more confident in my writing skills than my public speaking skills.  This doesn't mean that I will forever avoid public speaking just because it's something that I fear and doesn't come naturally to me.

Here are some tips you can use to help you boost your self-confidence:

• Do a 2-minute power pose.
• Celebrate your wins no matter how small they are.
• Let go of your limiting beliefs.
• Say no and set your boundaries.
• Create powerful self-affirmations and say them every day.
• Practice self-compassion or an act of kindness toward yourself.

14. MAKE SOME GOALS.

A goal is something that you aspire toward or work to accomplish.  Goals can help you keep your life on track as long as you stay on top of them.

It's important not to become too attached to the outcome of a goal or achieving one because sometimes they are set too high and can cause disappointment.  Or you may have an unforeseen setback that can delay a goal or cause you to drop it altogether.