The Most Common Things People Struggle With [& How To Overcome Them]

Struggles are a part of life.

No matter what we do or how carefully we plan, struggles will come about inevitably.

When you accept that you will have struggles and understand that you can overcome them, life gets a little easier, even when it seems to be at its worst.

Below, we’ll cover some things that people struggle with so you can prepare for some of the struggles you may face in life.

We’ll then give you some strategies for overcoming your struggles.

Do Most People Struggle in Life?

Very few people walk through life without some degree of adversity.

While some struggles are more challenging than others, we all face hard times.

The main difference is how people manage their struggles.

Some people have a mindset that allows them to tackle struggles as they come without letting them take over their lives.

Why Are Struggles in Life Important?

When you’re in the middle of a struggle, you probably aren’t too grateful for what you’re going through.

However, struggles serve a purpose and are crucial to living a full life.

They Promote Growth

Struggles can challenge you to think and act in new ways.

You may get forced out of your everyday behaviors.

Conflict often pushes you to choose courage over comfort.

You’ll gain new skills that you can use to create positive changes in your life.

Getting Through Them Helps You Feel Accomplished

A struggle isn’t fun when you’re going through it, and you probably don’t feel too great about yourself.

However, when you look back on the struggles that you’ve overcome, you’ll likely feel a sense of pride.

You’ll feel a sense of confidence that you were able to make it through the worst and came out stronger.

They Prepare You for Future Struggles

You’ll have many struggles in life, some big and some small.

But with each new challenge, you get a little stronger.

You gain skills like perseverance and staying calm under pressure.

These skills will help you tackle them no matter what life throws at you.

They Teach You About Yourself

Sometimes you don’t know what you’re truly made of until you face adversity.

When you manage through a trying time, you may realize that you’re sturdier and more determined than you ever knew.

You’ll be stronger in other aspects of your life as well.

What Are the Most Common Things People Struggle With?

People struggle with several things and sometimes deal with more than one struggle at a time.

It’s important to remember that all struggles are valid.

Everyone has problems and is affected by them, even if it doesn’t seem like it.

Even those with a seemingly picture-perfect life have faced adversity.

Health Problems

While you can take care of yourself by staying active and eating the right foods, you can never have total control over your health.

When you or someone you love is going through a health crisis, you can feel powerless.

Mental Health Issues

Mental health issues often get tied to other struggles on this list.

They’re also much more common than people think.

In a given year, 20% of people will have some sort of mental health issue.

You must seek help for any mental health issues you’re having.

Overcoming Trauma

Trauma comes in many forms.

It can include the loss of a loved one, a violent accident, abuse, or any significant negative life change.

Trauma is often deep-seated, and you may not be able to overcome it through will alone.

It’s wise to seek professional help for dealing with trauma.

Processing Feelings

When things are going wrong in your life, you likely have a lot of feelings associated with the situation.

You may struggle with these feelings and try to compartmentalize them instead of dealing with them.

While it’s challenging to process unpleasant feelings, you must tackle them to keep moving forward.

Finding Work-Life Balance

Work-life balance is one of the most challenging struggles people face.

You must do well at your job to make enough money to maintain your lifestyle.

Yet, if you’re giving up some of the best parts of your life to work, you’re not enjoying the life you’re working for.

Feeling Empty

You can experience feelings of emptiness at almost any point in your life, even when everything seems to be going well.

Maybe you’re becoming unfulfilled at a job or feel your life doesn’t have meaning.

You may just be stuck in a rut.

Starting and Maintaining Friendships

It’s crucial to have others in your life, but building relationships with others is more difficult than ever.

It’s a challenge to meet like-minded people you want to spend time around.

When you do make friends, it takes a lot of time and effort to keep the relationship going, especially if you’re busy with work and other commitments.

Failure of Any Kind

People are not always equipped to handle failure well.

Whether you failed at something you usually do well, or if you tried to do something new and failed, the feelings are difficult to process.

Your confidence takes a hit, and it’s much harder for you to try again.

Career and Financial Pressures

When things are difficult at your job, it’s hard not to let it seep into the rest of your life.

Your situation can be even worse if you’re worried that you may get laid off.

Money is one of the most common things people struggle with.

If you’re concerned about paying your bills, it’s hard to think of anything else.

What Are Signs of Struggles?

Below are some common signs of struggles that you may see in yourself or others.

You can use these signs to help you know if it’s time to get help.

Avoidance

Avoidance is one of the most common signs of struggle.

When you have a problem, it’s easier to pretend it doesn’t exist instead of dealing with it head-on.

While avoidance isn’t the best response, it’s often your first response when a problem crops up.

Lack of Energy

When you’re struggling, you may feel a sense of futility.

Why try if everything seems to be going wrong?

This feeling may even be physical. You may feel like you’re tired all the time.

A lack of energy can be associated with burnout.

Finding It Hard To Think Clearly or Concentrate

You may find it hard to concentrate if you’re narrowly focused on your struggles.

You may feel mental strain because your mind is simply trying to contend with too much.

If you find it hard to think clearly, your struggles may seem even worse.

Sleep Issues

Along with trouble thinking, you may also have trouble sleeping.

Your problems may disrupt your thoughts both during the day and at night.

If you’re staying up all night worrying over what’s going wrong, your daytime issues, like lack of energy and trouble concentrating, will compound.

Having Frequent Emotional Outbursts

With the mental strain of struggling through problems, you’ll likely have difficulty controlling your emotions.

You may find yourself letting it out through outbursts until you begin to deal with and accept your problems.

What Is the Greatest Struggle in Life?

People face so many struggles and challenges that it can be difficult to label one as the greatest struggle in life.

The greatest struggle in life may differ from person to person.

However, there is one struggle that seems to be overarching.

Finding Inner Peace

Inner peace is a feeling of contentment with your life.

It doesn’t mean that you give up or accept things, but that overall you can move forward peacefully.

If you can find inner peace, you’ll be able to deal with any struggle you face.  

How Do You Find Your Struggles in Life?

It’s important to find your struggles, as they can lead to growth and change.

They may even help you in finding a true life calling.

To tap into your struggles, simply asses what things in your life you’d like to be different or better.

How Do You Get Through Your Struggles?

Overcoming your struggles isn’t always easy, but some strategies can help you get through them.

Remember that as long as you’re doing something, you are making progress in getting through your struggles.

Recognize Problems as You Face Them

Don’t avoid your problems. Instead, meet your struggles head-on.

The earlier you tackle an issue, the sooner it’s no longer a struggle.

Make a Plan

Facing a struggle may seem overwhelming. If you make a plan, you can break the problem into smaller parts.

You can work on one small thing at a time until you’ve eventually gotten through your struggle.

Ask for Help

Asking for help is hard, but it’s hard to deal with your struggles alone.

Your family, friends, and coworkers are there to support you, just as you would help them through their problems.

Do What Is Within Your Control

When approaching your problems, think about what you can fix.

For example, you may not be able to make your boss treat you respectfully.

However, making the decision to work for yourself is in your control.

Let Go of What Is Out of Your Control

Recognize the things that are out of your control.

If you obsess over things you can’t change, you’ll only drive yourself crazy.

Spend your time working on the things you can fix.

Know They Will Pass

While you can’t fix every struggle in life, it’s important to remember that most things will pass.

A struggle is just one season of your life, and before you know it, you’ll be on to the next era.

Don’t Avoid Them

Unfortunately, avoiding your struggles won’t make them go away.

Even if your struggle is something you have no control over, you need to recognize that you’re going through it.

Sometimes accepting your problems makes it easier to go through them.

Know When to Give Up and How to Move On

Sometimes, there is no solution to your problems.

You may attempt to fix the problem and even try a few strategies to no avail.

Obsessing over an issue can become a new struggle in itself.

Sometimes it’s best to give up and move on to something else.

Wrapping Up

Struggles can come from many places and can have a profound effect on our lives, both daily and long-term.

Learning to manage your struggles helps you get stronger.

Struggles are a fact of life.

You can’t avoid them, but you can control how you manage them.

If you can maintain a positive attitude and use your struggles to help you grow, then you’ll be able to come out on top.

Do you have any questions about the struggles you’re going through and how to manage them?

Feel free to leave a comment below.