There is so much in this world that we are not in control of. Natural disasters, global events, economic downturns, health crises, and the behaviors of others are all factors that lie beyond our influence. Life throws curveballs — some fast, some unexpected — and they can leave us feeling disoriented, helpless and overwhelmed.
And yet, there is also so much we are in control of. This idea can be harder to embrace, especially when life feels like an endless loop of responsibilities. Many of us operate within a framework of routines: school drop-offs, work meetings, doctor appointments, birthday parties, meal prep, bedtime rituals. Over time, our lives begin to run on autopilot, and we stop noticing the finer details of our days. You might find yourself wondering when you last truly felt in the driver’s seat of your own life. Do you even remember if you locked the car when you got home? Have you paused lately to check in with how you’re actually feeling?
The truth is, you created this life. You made a thousand decisions — some large, others seemingly minor — that brought you to where you are now. You chose your career, your home, your partner. You decided when to say yes, when to say no, when to compromise, when to push forward, and when to settle. Even in moments when you felt you had no choice, you navigated the situation using the knowledge, strength and tools available to you at the time. You made the best decisions you could with the information you had. In short, you built this life — layer by layer, choice by choice.
That said, not everything has been within your control. Life is not linear. There were surprises that knocked the wind out of you, disappointments you never saw coming, and detours that veered you far from the path you once imagined. There have been seasons marked by confusion, pain and uncertainty. Yet despite all of it, you’re still here. And that alone is evidence of your strength and resilience. It also means that you still have power.
Psychiatrist and Holocaust survivor Viktor E. Frankl wrote, “Between stimulus and response there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and our freedom.” This quote captures the very essence of what it means to reclaim control. We may not control every circumstance, but we always have the power to choose how we respond. That space between what happens to us and what we choose next —that is where transformation lives.
Many of us forget that we have the power to choose. We can choose to pause, reflect and adjust course. We can choose to acknowledge when something no longer serves us and make a change. We can stop waiting for permission to expect more from our lives. Often, we allow fear to dictate our choices. Fear of failure, fear of judgment, fear of not being good enough. Sometimes, we’re afraid to step out of the predictable rhythm we’ve come to rely on, even if that rhythm feels misaligned with who we are today or who we want to be tomorrow. That fear can disguise itself as logic or responsibility, convincing us we’re too busy, too tired, or too late to make a shift.
But here’s what I want you to remember: you are not a victim of your life. You are not powerless. You are not stuck. You are a fierce, resilient human being. You have already endured so much, and yet you continue to show up. That means you possess grit, strength and courage — even if you’ve forgotten how to access it.
It’s time to stop surviving and start creating. Creating doesn’t have to mean radical change overnight. It begins with awareness: one brave step toward what feels right. Start by asking yourself: What part of my life feels misaligned with who I am today? Where am I playing small just to stay comfortable? What decision have I been avoiding out of fear? And what might I do differently if I trusted myself more?
These questions can open new possibilities. They invite you to move from a reaction to intention. To take ownership: not just of the chaos, but of the beauty and opportunity that still exists. You have the power to redefine what happiness, success and fulfillment look like for you. You get to shape the next chapter. It may not be perfect. It may get messy. But it will be yours.
You are not just another cog in the wheel of routine. You are the creator of your life. You can choose differently. You can grow, evolve, dream and act. You are not powerless — you are powerful. And the life you want may not be as far away as it seems. It starts the moment you stop living on autopilot and decide to live with intention.
Nechama Weiser is a certified health and life coach who helps women navigate transitions with clarity and confidence. She lives in Efrat with her husband and five children.
