“Are the things I do really my choices, or is someone else pulling the strings?”
Sometimes, life feels that way. We wake up and run through the same routines, trying to meet expectations, moving as if we’re not in charge of our own story. It’s like being a puppet on invisible strings. This post is for those moments—when you want to pause, take a breath, and find your way back to yourself.
1. Name Your Feelings
The thought “I feel like a puppet” is often a mix of emotions—anxiety, frustration, helplessness. Write them down:
Once you name emotions, they become something you can observe, not something that controls you.
2. Spot the “Auto Mode”
That puppet-like feeling usually comes from routines, expectations, or thought patterns running on autopilot. Ask yourself:
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Which of my daily actions are truly my choices?
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Whose expectations am I living for?
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Whose voice says, “You must”? (Family, society, workplace?)
Awareness is the first step to change.
3. Try Small Acts of Choice
Big life changes are overwhelming. Instead, start with small experiments:
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Decide one thing today just for yourself (what to eat, when to walk, how to rest).
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Practice saying “no” once a day.
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Create a 10-minute ritual for yourself (breathing, journaling, stretching).
These small choices slowly rebuild the sense of I’m the one steering my life.
4. Reframe the Story
Telling yourself “I’m just a puppet” can become a self-fulfilling prophecy. Reframe the narrative:
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“Right now I feel like a puppet, but I can change this.”
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“I may not control everything, but I do have choices.”
Changing the words changes the direction.
5. Redraw Boundaries in Relationships
Sometimes we feel trapped by roles—at work, in family, among friends. Check in with yourself:
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Which roles are for me, and which are just to please others?
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Can I adjust some expectations through honest conversation?
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Can I allow myself to receive help instead of doing it all alone?
Healthy boundaries return agency to you.
6. Create Personal Rituals
Rituals give life your own “markers.”
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Write one line each morning about your intention for the day.
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Treat yourself to a special dinner once a week.
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Do a monthly self-check and reward yourself for small wins.
These simple acts anchor life in your hands.
7. Seek Guidance If Needed
If the feelings are heavy and long-lasting, consider therapy or coaching. Getting help is not weakness—it’s a choice to not carry everything alone.
8. The Practice of Being You
Reclaiming your life isn’t about one big decision. It’s about the daily practice of making small, intentional choices. You don’t have to be perfect—just consistent.
In One Sentence
“When life feels like you’re just a puppet, it’s really an invitation to redesign your own story.”
