First Published 26 October 2023

I was complaining to a friend this morning that I was lacking in inspiration over what to write today.  She then gave me her word of the month and like a bolt from the blue my fingers hit the keyboard! (I don’t even know if that’s the right metaphor/analogy…!)
 
Discombobulated!

I love this word!  I work with a lot of people who feel this way (you might be one of them) and I tend to target my networking pitching on this very concept talking to those who are feeling lost, confused and overwhelmed, but, I don’t think I use this word – that may have to change! 
But what does it mean?

 
Well, according to the dictionary, “discombobulated” means “confused and upset.” But in British English, it has a slightly different meaning. It’s more like a feeling of being slightly chaotic and disorganised. It’s like your life is a giant jigsaw puzzle, and you’ve lost all the pieces. 

And to get even more local, in Scottish English it can be translated as Scunnered (a strong term that suggests feeling embarrassed or ashamed) or Flummoxed (feeling overwhelmed or perplexed)
 
I think discombobulated is fabulous word (along with scunnered). It’s so descriptive and evocative. It captures that feeling of being slightly off-kilter, like you’re not quite sure what’s going on.
 
There are many things in life that can make us feel discombobulated.

From a major life change, such as a job loss, divorce, or death in the family. 

To something more mundane, like a bad day at work, your hair not behaving or a fight with a friend.
 
Life can be pretty complicated. Along with ‘stuff’ happening we’re also bombarded with information from all sides. We’re constantly juggling work, family, and social commitments. And it can be really hard to keep up.
 
No wonder we all feel a bit discombobulated sometimes.

It can make it feel impossible to focus, to make decisions, or to feel like you’re in control of your life.  It can also leave us feeling alone and stuck!

But, the good news is that there are things we can do to feel less discombobulated.

Here are a few tips:
 
Take some time for yourself.
Book some time each day to do something you enjoy that is just for you. This could be reading, taking a walk in nature, or simply sitting and doing nothing.  This can be a great way to hit the reset button.

Simplify your life.
Get rid of the things that are causing you stress and anxiety.  From decluttering, to saying no to something you really don’t want to do, or, if you are feeling brave and able to let go – delegating tasks.

Focus on the present moment.
It’s easy to get caught up in the past or the future. But only this moment, right now matters. So, take some deep breaths and focus on right here, right now.

And while we are talking about some deep breaths – take a few more as this will help calm your mind and body.
A new one for me this week from a meditation script I came across (the cadets were subjected to it and I gave it as ‘homework’ this week to a client) is to focus on 3 deep breaths – take in as deep a breath as you can and hold it for 5 seconds.  The first time through breathe out and relax, the second time imagine allowing all the stress to leave your body and on the third time get rid of any last remaining stress and tell yourself “I’m relaxed now”.

Challenge your negative thoughts.
If you’re feeling discombobulated, you’re likely to have a lot of negative thoughts running through your head. These thoughts are often lies and that’s not helpful. Challenge them by asking yourself if they’re really true.

Ask for help.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed, don’t be afraid to ask for help from a friend, family member, or professional.

And remember, it’s perfectly normal to feel discombobulated from time to time. Everyone does. The important thing is not to dwell on it or to let it control you.
 
And if you need a little extra help, I’m here for you.  But, what does that actually mean? 

As a health kinesiologist and coach, I can help you to make sense of your life and to feel more grounded and centred.  I do that by:
 

1. Creating a safe space:  The first step is to create a safe and supportive space where you can feel comfortable talking about your feelings. This is especially important if you are dealing with a major life change or trauma.
2. Help identify your needs:  Once you feel safe, then you can identify your needs much more quickly. . What do you need to feel more grounded and in control? This may involve things like:
   • getting enough sleep,
   • eating healthy foods,
   • exercising regularly.
   • setting boundaries,
   • learning to say no,
   • delegating tasks.
3. Work with you to develop coping mechanisms:  It’s also important to develop coping mechanisms for dealing with stress and anxiety. This may include things like:
   • meditation,
   • deep breathing, (there are more techniques than just the one above)
   • journaling.
4. Encourage you to connect with others:  Social connection is essential for our mental health. Spending time with loved ones, people you like, joining a club or group, or volunteering in your community are all great ways to connect (and spend less time with people you don’t like or who don’t support you is a must too!).
5. Be patient and understanding:  Change takes time. I am patient, understanding and judgement free as we work through any discombobulation.

 So, let’s work together to make sense of your life and find your way out of the funk.

And if it hasn’t sunk in yet, you are still not alone. Everyone feels discombobulated from time to time. It’s just a part of being human.  With a little help, we can all find our way back to centre.

So, what are you waiting for? Book a session with me today and let’s get you feeling less discombobulated and more like your fabulous self!

(In the meantime, eat a cake, have a bubble bath – maybe not together cos who needs soggy cake in their life… – and relax. It’s all going to be okay.)

Do you think I managed to say discombobulated enough? Thank you T for your word which gave me inspiration – hopefully this will help you shift out of your discombobulation too…