10 Signs You’re Not as Messed Up as You Think
Life is messy. You’re messy. I’m messy. Everyone’s a little messy. Some people color-code their closets, others haven’t seen their floor since laundry day. Neither is “wrong”, but when you are in a low spot, it’s easy to convince yourself that you’re failing at life.
Here’s the truth: you are doing better than you think. Proof below:
You Care Enough to Worry About Being Messed Up
It’s okay if you sometimes feel “messed up”. Honestly, what does that even mean? Everyone’s a little messy. Some people color code their closet, others haven’t seen their floor since laundry day. Neither is “wrong”. The fact that you’re even reflecting on how you’re doing means you care about your life and want to do better. That’s not messed up, that’s growth.
You Fed Yourself Today
Did you make a kale salad? Maybe not. Did you eat something that kept you alive? Yes. That counts. Whether it’s scrambled eggs, frozen pizza or “accidentally” half a bag of chips, you nourished your body.
You’ve Texted a Friend Back (Eventually)
Okay, maybe it wasn’t immediate. Maybe it was a week later with a “sorry, I’m the worst at texting 😅.” But you did respond, and that shows you value connection. People who don’t care just disappear into the abyss like Wi-fi at your parents’ house.
You Have Future Plans (Big or Tiny)
Whether it’s “I can’t wait for pancakes tomorrow” or “I have no idea what my career will look like but I want something,” the fact that you’re thinking about the future means you haven’t given up on it. Even if the future feels scary or uncertain, that’s normal. Literally everyone is winging it. The important part is that there’s something ahead that you’re curious about.
You’ve Had Bad Days and Still Bounced Back
Think about the times you swore, “This is the worst day ever, I cannot do this again". And yet… here you are. You’ve survived every single one of your “end of the world” moments so far: bar breakups, stressful jobs, the email where you accidentally hit “reply all”.
Bouncing back doesn’t always look glamorous. Sometimes it looks like crying in the shower and then ordering pizza. Sometimes it’s dragging yourself out of bed when you’d rather stay under the covers. The point isn’t that you bounced back gracefully, the point is that you did. Every single time.
Your track record for surviving hard days? 100%. That’s resilience with a messy edge and it’s way more impressive than pretending life is perfect.
You’ve Changed Your Mind About Something
Growth isn’t always about the big dramatic changes. Sometimes it’s realizing you were wrong about not loving pineapple pizza, or deciding you actually do love mornings (okay, maybe not). The fact you’re evolving shows you’re learning.
You Can Laugh at Memes About Stuggling
If you’ve ever seen a meme about mental health chaos and gone “lol same”, that’s connection. It means you are not alone and humor is one of the best coping tools we’ve got.
You Apologize (Even If It’s Awkward)
Saying “sorry” is basically emotional skydiving; terrifying, awkward and guaranteed to make your stomach flip. But you did it anyway. That’s bravery. Most people avoid hard conversations like they avoid assembling IKEA furniture. The fact that you were willing to admit you messed up (even if you mumbled it and immediately replayed it in your head for three days) means you care about people and relationships. That’s not messed up.
You Know What You Don’t Want
Clarity doesn’t always come from knowing your five-year-plan. Sometimes it comes from realizing, “Nope, I definitely don’t want to deal with this nonsense anymore.” Maybe it’s a draining job, a toxic friend, or just the shirt in your closet that makes you feel like a deflated balloon. Knowing what you don’t want is a kind of freedom. It’s your brain saying, “Thanks, but we’re not doing this anymore.”
And here’s the best part, you’re allowed to let go of things without feeling guilty. You don’t have to keep hobbies you secretly hate, friendships that exhaust you, or unread books that feel like judgement every time you look at them (🙋🏻♀️guilty). Letting go doesn’t make you a quitter, it makes you someone who knows what’s worth your time.
You’ve Made Someone Smile (Even Accidentally)
Maybe it was a dumb joke in a group chat, holding the door open for a stranger, or just sending your friend a TikTok at the exact moment they needed a laugh. The point is: you brightened someone else’s day, even in a small way. That matters more than you realize. Sometimes your existence alone is enough to make life lighter for somebody else. And if that’s not proof you’re doing okay, I don’t know what is.
