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When Life Feels Like a Video Game on Hard Mode (and You Didn't Even Get a Tutorial)

Hey friend.

Yeah — you.
Pull up a chair, couch, bed, floor, whatever you’re currently collapsing on. We’re having a talk today.

So here’s a universal truth that absolutely no one prepared us for:

Life becomes a full-on boss battle the SECOND you think you’re finally catching a break.

I swear to God, I’ll be having one semi-peaceful day — kids not screaming, coffee still hot, the justice system not actively stressing me out for once — and suddenly life is like:

“Haha, plot twist! What if everything went to shit at the exact same time?”

And I’m there like a confused video game character mashing every button on the controller hoping something works.

Because listen…
I’m 23.
A single mom of three.
Trying to rebuild my life, fix my mental health, navigate court stuff, AND write a damn novel that I desperately want published someday.

Like—excuse me??
Who designed this storyline?
Can I speak to the writers? Because the difficulty setting is disrespectful.

But I know I’m not the only one feeling like this.

Men feel this too.

Trying to hold everything together without anyone noticing they’re falling apart inside.

Teens feel this too.

Trying to figure out who the hell they even are while juggling school, emotions, hormones, relationships, trauma, expectations — basically the “everyone vs. you” Olympics.

Parents feel this too.

Whether you’ve got one kid or five — every day is like unlocking a new side quest you did NOT agree to.

People with mental health struggles feel this too.

Some days you’re okay.
Some days you’re not.
And some days you’re just trying to survive the mental chaos without snapping at someone who doesn’t deserve it.

We’re all just trying to live.
Trying to be decent.
Trying to be better than we were yesterday.
Trying to get our shit together long enough to say “okay, maybe I’m actually doing alright.”

But damn… it’s hard sometimes.

And you know what really gets me?

It’s always the tiny, stupid things that break us.

Like…

  • Trying to find a matching pair of socks and suddenly you’re questioning your entire life.
  • Dropping your food on the floor and needing 3–5 business days to recover emotionally.
  • Realizing you have to make dinner again because, apparently, children need to eat every day. Rude.
  • That one text message you forgot to answer, and now it’s been three weeks and you can’t respond because it’s too late and you’ve officially ghosted your dentist.

Or when your depression or anxiety doesn’t even warn you — it just sucker punches you mid-day like:

“Surprise! Emotional collapse!”

It’s relatable because it’s real.
And we’re not alone in it — even when it feels like we are.

Honestly? Most of us are doing the best we can on zero sleep and pure survival mode vibes.

Here’s something I want you to hear, especially if you’re young, tired, dealing with pressure, mental health shit, legal stress, school, work, or whatever your personal hell-level challenge is right now:

You’re allowed to struggle.
You’re allowed to be messy.
You’re allowed to start over.
You’re allowed to make mistakes while you figure it all out.

You don’t have to pretend you know what you’re doing.
Literally none of us do.
We’re all just winging it and hoping the universe doesn’t smite us for trying.

And if you’re trying to heal?
Trying to break generational patterns?
Trying to be a better parent?
Trying to graduate?
Trying to pay bills?
Trying to get sober?
Trying to stay out of trouble?
Trying to manage your mental health?
Trying to become someone you’re proud of?

Then holy shit — you’re already doing something extraordinary.

Healing isn’t easy.
Changing your life isn’t easy.
Parenting isn’t easy.
Growing up isn’t easy.
And becoming the version of yourself you dream of?
That’s the hardest quest of all.

But you’re on your way.
Every day you show up — even in small, tired, half-assed ways — you’re building a future you deserve.

🧠 Weekly Mental Health Exercise: The “Hard Mode” Check-In

This week, I want you to try something simple:

**Write down three things that are currently making your life harder…

and three things you’re doing despite them.**

For example:

  • “I’m exhausted, but I still got out of bed.”
  • “I’m stressed about court, but I’m still facing it.”
  • “I feel like shit mentally, but I still made my kids lunch.”
  • “School sucks right now, but I still showed up.”
  • “I’m lonely, but I’m trying.”
  • “I’m overwhelmed, but I didn’t give up.”

Why this exercise works:
Because it reminds you that even on hard-mode days, you’re still moving.
You’re still fighting.
You’re still here.

And that counts for something huge.

💬 Interactive Question of the Week

In the comments, tell me:

What makes your life feel like hard mode right now — and what’s one thing you’re still proud of yourself for doing anyway?

Men, women, teens, parents, non-parents — everyone.
Drop your answers.
You never know who you might help feel less alone.

Before You Go…

Let me leave you with this:

You’re not failing.
You’re leveling up.
And yeah, it’s messy as hell — but you’re doing it.

Even when you feel behind.
Even when you feel lost.
Even when you feel like life is kicking your ass.

You’re still here.
And you’re still fighting to become someone stronger, softer, wiser, or just… more okay than yesterday.

That’s bravery.
That’s growth.
That’s beautiful.

—The Healing Chaos
“Be proud of how far you’ve come, even if no one else sees the battles you’re fighting.”

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