When It Feels Like the Universe Is Working Against You (Spoiler: It’s Not)

Photo by Javon Swaby

Let’s be real—some days feel like they were personally designed to test your last nerve. You wake up late, spill your coffee, get a passive-aggressive email before 9 a.m., and by lunch, you’re seriously considering faking your own disappearance and starting over in a small cottage where nobody knows your name. (Just me?)

We all have those days. The kind where everything feels heavy. You’re giving your all—at work, in your relationships, in your self-growth—and yet it still feels like life is side-eyeing you like, “That’s cute. Try again.”

Like Battling Thanos Without a Single Infinity Stone

If you’ve ever felt like you’re going toe-to-toe with that big-headed purple guy from The Avengers (yes, I mean Thanos), you’re not alone. He’s got all the power, all the momentum, all the blinged-out stones of success—and you’re standing there with your burnt-out brain and a granola bar for energy, trying not to cry in public.

The worst part? It’s not that you’re not trying. Oh no, you’re trying your absolute hardest. You’re working overtime, showing up for your friends, reading self-help books, drinking water like it’s a personality trait—and still, it can feel like you’re getting nowhere.

I’ve been there. Honestly, I still find myself there sometimes. And it’s exhausting.

When the Comparison Trap Kicks In

It doesn’t help that we live in a world where everyone’s highlight reel is on constant display. Scroll through social media for five seconds, and you’ll see:

• Someone who just got promoted at their dream job (while you’re on the third round of “just checking in” emails).
• A couple buying their first home (and you’re googling “how to afford rent without selling a kidney”).
• That girl from high school who just had her third baby, has perfect brows, and somehow also runs an Etsy shop and a podcast. (Is she okay? Is she a robot?)

It’s easy to start wondering, “What am I even doing with my life?”

That kind of doubt can creep in fast and hit hard. And honestly? It’s okay if it does. It’s human. But here’s something you might need to hear today (because I did too):

You are not behind. You are not failing. You are not invisible.

The Quiet, Imperfect Moments Matter More Than You Think

Here’s the thing—those big Instagrammable milestones? They’re great. But they’re not the only things that make life meaningful.

Sometimes, the most important moments are the quiet, messy, unfiltered ones:

• A belly laugh with your best friend after an awful day.
• The first sip of iced coffee on a hot morning.
• That moment you finally understand something you’ve been working on for weeks.
• Sitting on the floor in your PJs, eating leftover pizza, and feeling—just for a second—like maybe, just maybe, you’re okay.

These are the “Halley’s Comet” kind of moments: rare, unpredictable, and incredibly special. You won’t always see them coming, and they won’t always look like success, but they matter. They’re what make the grind worthwhile.

Why You Keep Going (Even When It’s Hard)

So why do we keep showing up when everything feels hard? When nothing seems to change?

Because you’re not just working for some grand “arrival” moment. You’re not doing this for applause or perfection. You’re doing it for:

• The people you love.
• The version of yourself you’re becoming.
• The hope that tomorrow might be a little lighter.
• That one day where everything aligns—just for a moment—and it feels like magic.

Even when it doesn’t feel like it, all that effort is building something. It’s not wasted. You’re not lost.

You Are Worthy—Even In The Middle Of The Mess

It’s easy to think that you have to “fix” everything to deserve peace, or success, or joy. But that’s a lie (and whoever started it can politely sit down).

You are worthy right now.

Not when you hit your goal weight.
Not when you get that promotion.
Not when your apartment is clean and your inbox is zeroed out.

Right. Now.

You deserve rest.
You deserve moments of joy.
You deserve to feel proud of yourself, even in progress.

Because perfection? That’s not the point. The point is to live fully—even when things feel uncertain. To find little pockets of comfort and courage while the chaos swirls around you.

This Is Your Gentle Pick-Me-Up

If today is one of those “What’s the point?” kind of days, I want you to know:

✨ The point is you.

✨ The point is showing up for yourself with kindness, even when it feels silly.

✨ The point is reminding yourself that you’ve made it through hard days before, and you will again.

✨ The point is choosing to believe in your own worth, especially when the world feels loud and unkind.

Take a deep breath. Eat the snack. Rewatch your comfort show. Light a candle for no reason. Cry if you need to. Dance it out. Text a friend. Start again tomorrow.

You don’t need to be perfect to be proud of yourself. You don’t need to be at the finish line to celebrate the steps.

You are doing better than you think. And I’m proud of you.

Need a little extra encouragement today?
Check out Your Little Pick Me Up for printables, motivational sticker downloads, cozy quotes, and all the messy-beautiful reminders that you’re not alone in this.

Here’s to surviving the hard days—with coffee, kindness, and a little bit of glitter.