We’ve all had points in our lives where we had too much going on than it felt that we could handle. In these periods it becomes easy to feel like a hamster on a wheel: always running, but not really going anywhere. We just have so much to accomplish, the days can become repetitious, and it truly seems never ending.

This scenario plays out tenfold if our engagements involve work that we do not envision ourselves doing in the long term. In a perfect world, everyone would have the opportunity to be doing what they love all the time. Artists would be free from debt so that they could spend their days creating, writers would only be tasked with writing, et cetera. Unless you are extremely lucky and successful, you probably do not have this luxury (especially if you are just starting out).

We still need to make money even if our passions lie elsewhere. If your life is full of obligations that you don’t like, the last thing you should do is lose hope. Your mindset will ultimately make or break you, and you can always change course if you set your intentions.

The most important thing you can do throughout this period is have a vision for where you want to be in your life. The ease of having a vision can vary depending on your obligations. For example, if you are balancing work and school, you have an outcome in mind that you are actively working toward. However, if you are balancing obligations that are unrelated to your own goals this can be more difficult to do.

Here are a few tips on how, not only to get through, but to thrive in your chaotic life, while always keeping in mind the light at the end of the tunnel.

1. Set an intention for yourself every day.

One of the prominent characteristics of a hectic life is stress. Maybe you are stressed because you want a change faster than it is coming, or you are experiencing burnout. Sometimes you need to be overwhelmed by stress at first in order to learn how to deal with it more effectively. Setting an intention for your day gives you a larger goal to accomplish so you do not get sucked into the stress that surrounds you. It is much easier to overlook the little, inconsequential aspects of your day if you know what you want from it overall.

2. Make time for the most important thing to you.

We were all put on this earth for something. Your passions and the things you excel at are not accidental. They are your calling, and you owe it to yourself to answer to them. Maybe you are confined to a cubicle for eight hours a day…so what? That doesn’t mean that you can’t keep a little notebook for when inspiration strikes. It doesn’t mean you have to give up who you are to make money. Pursuing your calling gives your life a depth that a 9-5 (or any other obligation) cannot offer you. Carve out some time every single day to practice your craft, whatever it may be. If you wait for inspiration, it will never come. Simply make it a habit to practice what you love and eventually you will create something you are so proud of.

3. Don't lose sight of the opportunities that surround you.

This can be the most challenging thing to do when you are consumed with the daily grind. When you are in a position you don’t want to be in, you have the choice to approach life as the victim full of doom and gloom, or you can look at your situation as a stepping stone. There is always something to be gained regardless of where you’re at in your life. It all goes back to having a vision for yourself—if you know where you want to be, then you will begin to see what you can do to get there. Stay positive, keep an open mind, and pursue the opportunities that come your way.

4. Make gratitude a habit.

Gratitude is the secret to a happy life. When you realize that you are better off than 90% of the people in the world, you can really begin to look at the things you do have as blessings. When you dwell on what is missing from your life, you are setting yourself up for disappointment. Be happy that you have employment, a place to live, nourishment, and people who love you. You can make gratitude a habit if you resolve to start each day with a positive thought.

In conclusion, don’t let life overwhelm you. Chaos is necessary to appreciate the stillness. When you finally learn to master your own perception of your situation, you can master anything in the world. Keep doing what you’re doing, someday you will look back at this chaotic time with appreciation for where it got you.