Everything Goes Wrong for Me: Possible Causes, and What to Do

There are times when there is not a day in which we do not wake up on the wrong foot. We go to work or school and we are already late. Once there we have a huge pile of work that is more difficult and heavier than usual. We try to wake up by going to the coffee machine, it swallows the coins and deprives us of our caffeine fix.

“My day is going badly… everything is going wrong!” we think. Are we bad luck magnets? Aren’t we good at what we do? Are we worthless? and other phrases like that come to our mind. We assume that when things go wrong for us it means that there is something wrong with us.

It’s common to feel like everything is going wrong at some point in life. Maybe it feels like no matter what you do, nothing seems to work out. While it’s easy to feel hopeless, understanding the potential causes and what you can do to overcome these challenges is crucial. Let’s explore the possible reasons why things may feel like they’re falling apart, and actionable steps you can take to improve your situation.

Everything goes wrong for me!

It has happened to all of us that we have a time in which nothing we had proposed turns out the way we wanted. We stopped doing what we were doing and asked ourselves, frustrated, “what the hell is going on?” Everything goes wrong for me!”. Life is not a straight and stable line, but is marked by ups and downs and in its lows we tend to see things in a more pessimistic way since it seems that the world is conspiring against us or, also, that we stop being competent and become useless.

These bad streaks are normal. We cannot expect that we will always be happy and that everything will go well for us. However, although we can keep this reality in mind on many occasions, seeing that nothing goes right, there are continuous disappointments and it seems that what we had proposed is not going to be fulfilled, it is inevitable to think that everything is going wrong for us. They are moments that never stop hurting and attract demotivation, reluctance, apathy, anxiety and depression.

People are dreamy beings and we set all kinds of objectives in various spheres of our existence such as work, our partner, friends, personal projects and goals to be successful in life. When something bad happens and it seems to sabotage our dreams. It is inevitable that we wonder if there is something in our lives or something in our own way of being that has generated an entire situation full of misfortunes and misfortunes. Could it be that we have a bad attitude or are we really worthless?

Before becoming even more stubborn and bitter about the negative situation in which we find ourselves, where disappointments cloud our vision and do not allow us to see the light at the end of the tunnel, what we have to do is reflect and calm down a little, stop the machine. To the extent we can, we should rest a little, both physically and mentally. Rest and slowing down a little are very good for acquiring a more global and adjusted image of what is happening, in addition to stopping that hum, that mental rumor that tells us all the time that everything is going wrong for us.

What is happening to us?

We live in a society of extremes. From the media and all types of organizations they tell us that we have to be happy, idealistic, optimistic and energetic people. The message that we have to be “happy” 24/7 is very beautiful and, at the same time, toxic, basically because it makes us clash with our realism. People are not happy beings all the time, since depending on our personal characteristics, education and the context in which we live, we will see life in one way or another, changing depending on the time in which we live.

No matter how optimistic we consider ourselves, sooner or later periods come when we are a little sadder. One should not think that this sadness is depression, since it is a relatively long-term mental disorder if it is not treated with adequate professional help, but rather we are talking about euthymia, that is, changes in mood within expected and non-pathological normality. There are days when we are happier and others when we are sadder.

Being within one of these stages is normal for our vision to be more pessimistic, especially applying it to what we do and what happens to us. Naturally, it is in these times that our mistakes and the misfortunes that occur in our daily lives will be seen in a more exaggerated way, seeing how everything is really going very wrong for us. Every mistake will make us think that we are worthless, and every misfortune that the world, God, destiny or whatever has turned against us.

But sooner or later the bad streaks fade and the good ones arrive. All the pessimism that we had shown in the previous period is replaced by optimism and motivation: the light has arrived at the end of the tunnel, which had never stopped being there. We learn that anyone has a bad streak, that we are worth a lot, that there are many things for which we have to be happy and that the good always compensates for the bad and even surpasses it.

However, although stages of certain pessimism are normal, this does not mean that they are harmless and, in fact, if they are prolonged or we focus too much on everything bad that is supposedly happening to us, we run the risk of getting stuck in them. The reasons that make this happen are varied, although they are usually personal, such as our own way of being, our self-esteem and self-worth. If we don’t stop the noise about the bad things that happen to us, we are going to stretch it and stretch it until it becomes a serious problem.

Possible causes

There are several reasons why we have the thought of “everything is going wrong for me.” One of them is impossible to control, capricious and unpredictable: bad luck. Bad luck is a variable that, even without being measurable, we know is there, not to ruin our lives but because in life there are moments of luck and moments in which we don’t have as much. It may be the case that, due to pure bad luck, what we had proposed does not work out, and we cannot do anything about it.

But leaving aside bad luck, there are many personal factors that influence our way of seeing reality, factors that can be changed both with self-effort and by seeking professional help. Among these factors we can find the following:

1. Stress and Burnout

One of the most common causes of everything going wrong is stress. When you’re overwhelmed by responsibilities, work, or personal issues, it can feel like your world is falling apart. Burnout can cloud your judgment, making it hard to think clearly or make the best decisions. Chronic stress negatively impacts mental and physical health, and this can make it feel like everything is out of control.

What to Do:

To manage stress, practice mindfulness techniques such as meditation or deep breathing. Take breaks to rest and recharge. You may also benefit from delegating tasks, asking for help, or simply saying no when you’re stretched too thin.

2. Negative Thought Patterns

If you’re stuck in a cycle of negative thinking, it can feel like everything you do turns out wrong. Cognitive distortions, such as catastrophizing (expecting the worst outcome) or generalizing (believing that a few failures define your entire life), can lead to feelings of helplessness.

What to Do:

Challenge your negative thoughts by asking yourself if they’re based on facts or assumptions. Practice cognitive restructuring, where you replace negative thoughts with more balanced and realistic ones. Therapy, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), can be especially helpful for breaking these patterns.

3. Lack of Control

When things seem out of control, it’s natural to feel frustrated and helpless. Uncontrollable external events such as a job loss, health problems, or relationship issues can make it feel like nothing is going right. The lack of control can create a sense of powerlessness.

What to Do:

Focus on what you can control. Whether it’s your attitude, daily routine, or personal habits, taking small actions toward regaining control can help. Set realistic, achievable goals to give you a sense of accomplishment and direction.

4. Unrealistic Expectations

Having unrealistic expectations for yourself or others can lead to disappointment and frustration. If you expect perfection, you’re setting yourself up for failure. Life is unpredictable, and sometimes things go wrong simply because expectations are too high.

What to Do:

Set achievable goals and learn to accept that mistakes are part of the process. Practice self-compassion by treating yourself kindly when things don’t go according to plan. Remember, it’s okay not to be perfect.

5. Lack of Proper Planning

When you don’t plan ahead, things are more likely to go wrong. Poor planning often results in feeling disorganized, missing deadlines, or experiencing last-minute stress.

What to Do:

Make sure to set clear goals and break them down into smaller, manageable steps. Use tools such as to-do lists, calendars, or project management apps to stay on track. Regularly review your progress to stay organized.

6. Toxic Relationships

Toxic people or unhealthy relationships can create a cloud of negativity around you. When surrounded by individuals who criticize, belittle, or drain your energy, it can feel like everything is going wrong, even when it’s not.

What to Do:

Evaluate your relationships and identify those that bring negativity into your life. Set healthy boundaries with toxic individuals, and focus on cultivating relationships that are positive, supportive, and uplifting.

7. Unresolved Emotional Issues

Sometimes, unresolved emotions or past trauma can manifest as a series of bad experiences. These lingering emotional wounds may cloud your judgment and decision-making ability, causing a domino effect of negative outcomes.

What to Do:

Consider talking to a therapist to process and work through past trauma. Journaling, meditation, or joining support groups can also be helpful in confronting unresolved emotional issues. Healing takes time, but acknowledging and addressing your feelings is a step toward moving forward.

8. Poor Habits and Lifestyle Choices

Unhealthy habits, such as poor sleep, poor diet, lack of exercise, or excessive procrastination, can negatively affect your mindset and ability to tackle problems. When your body is out of balance, it’s harder to maintain mental clarity and focus.

What to Do:

Start by incorporating small healthy habits into your routine, such as regular exercise, proper nutrition, and quality sleep. Gradually shift toward a more balanced lifestyle to improve both your physical and mental well-being.

9. Bad Luck or Timing

Sometimes, things go wrong simply because of bad luck or poor timing. External factors beyond your control, such as unforeseen events or missed opportunities, can make you feel like you’re in a never-ending cycle of misfortune.

What to Do:

While you can’t control luck or timing, you can prepare yourself for unexpected events by remaining resilient. Learn to adjust and adapt to life’s unpredictable nature. Keep a growth mindset, knowing that setbacks are often temporary and can lead to valuable lessons.

What can we do if everything goes wrong?

As we mentioned, it is normal to notice that we are going through a time in which everything goes wrong for us. Even so we should not sit idly by and dwell on all the bad things that are happening to us, but to see how we can change our situation and what degree of control we have over it. Focusing on what we are unlikely to achieve for now because bad luck does not allow us to do so is torturing ourselves. The best thing is to stop the physical and mental machinery for a moment, calm down and reflect on our situation.

The first thing we should do, taking advantage of this pause of body and mind, is to ask ourselves: what aspects depend on us? Is there something external to us that has influenced it? Can we control it? This step requires deep meditation, a reflection that will allow us to clarify what has happened and find out which negative events that have occurred in chains have made us fall into the pit of “everything is going wrong for me.”

Once we have seen what depends on us and what we do not, we must accept the idea that there are things that are not within our control. Since we cannot control them, it is not worth being bitter about them. It is true that sometimes life is very unfair and brings us really cruel events, but even so, what is the point of complaining over and over again? Isn’t remembering the bad the same as reliving the damage that was done to us? Difficult times eventually pass, but they never will completely if we don’t stop thinking about them.

There are times that are more complicated than others and we have to accept it. Let’s assume the complexity of the world. Bad luck will truncate many of our projects and objectives, but that does not mean we should give up and get used to the idea that nothing is going to turn out well for us. In the same way that something seems like it is not going to work out for us, there is surely another option that will work out. When a door closes a window opens.

It is also necessary to pay a little attention to the type of thoughts we have. Given the possible causes that make us think that everything is going wrong for us, we must ask ourselves if we are applying a negative filter to our reality, that is, if we pay too much attention to bad things that we undoubtedly do (like anyone else!) and we ignore the good that we also have. As we have said, focusing only on the bad and neglecting the good is a bias, it allows us to see reality objectively.

Taking all this into account, we emphasize taking a break, whenever possible. The mind and body become exhausted when used too much and fatigue causes us to apply the filter of negativity. The machine that is our being has to be oiled and recharged from time to time. Once we have done it we will have energy again, more vitality, a not so pessimistic view of the world and full of optimism.

FAQs about Everything Goes Wrong for Me

Why does everything feel like it’s going wrong for me?

There are many potential causes, including stress, negative thought patterns, unrealistic expectations, or a lack of control. It’s important to assess your current circumstances and pinpoint the underlying issue.

How can I stop negative thinking when things keep going wrong?

Start by challenging negative thoughts with more realistic and balanced perspectives. Engage in mindfulness or therapy, such as CBT, to reframe your mindset and break free from negative patterns.

Can burnout contribute to everything going wrong?

Yes, burnout can make it difficult to think clearly and perform at your best. It’s essential to take breaks, rest, and manage your workload to reduce burnout.

How do I regain control when it feels like nothing is going right?

Focus on the things you can control, such as your reactions, habits, and attitude. Setting small, achievable goals and taking consistent action will help you feel more in control of your situation.

Is it normal to feel like everything is falling apart sometimes?

Yes, everyone goes through difficult times. It’s important to recognize that challenges are part of life, and they don’t define your worth or abilities. Resilience is key to overcoming setbacks.