How To Find Your Path When You’re Feeling Lost

Nathan McAndrew

Hey there everyone,

We have all struggled with plans. Not knowing where we are heading in life or what the future holds for us. It can be daunting, often scary, living life whilst venturing into the unknown. I’ve always been a problem solver and under the circumstance will go to great lengths to search for solutions. Not all solutions are easy nor free but if you’re lost in life, I recommend the way that I’ve found my path again countless times.

I recommend spending passionate and awakening moments outside.

You may have seen movies that follow a similar path of searching, or authors of adventure books that put their magic onto pages. The trick is to reawaken your curiosity and to remind yourself that you have the power, you and only you can shake yourself from bad habits and change your direction. If you’re feeling lost in life and unsure where to turn to next, set yourself a goal. A solo journey that is going to consist of something bigger than yourself.

Right now you’re probably thinking that I’m going to be writing about some of the more cliche things like “Not all those who wander are lost”, J.R.R. Tolkien or “Take only memories, leave only footprints”, Chief Seattle. I am but I want to share a new way of looking at it. You don’t need to travel to a remote yoga retreat, climb a mountain or live in a monastery. It all starts with what you have already.

You have an undecided amount of time alive, why stay stuck and unhappy when you can change it all right now?

Pathfinder

The first step in this journey is to find something that works for you. To get the most out of this, you’ll need to get outside of your comfort zone and question your self-understanding. This passion can be anything that comes to mind, that allows you to be free. The underlying message here is that by finding something that holds stillness for you personally, you’re a step in the right direction.

As I mentioned before, you don’t need to live in a monastery or fly far away to get back on track. Recently a very good friend of mine has discovered their love for the outside. He’s been inspired by many adventure and lifestyle photographers. With a sense of direction and inspiration, he is on his own path now. Now hooked on the idea of getting out, challenging themselves through what they love. Can you visualize a mist around you when you feel lost? For my friend, I sense that mist is fading and their path forward is becoming clearer than before.

Firstly, you need to outline what activity you’re going to do to help yourself. It could be a skill you want to learn, things you have done before and want to do more of or a solo weekend away to let in silence. It could be about getting closer to your religion. It’s okay if the answers don’t come right away. Just keep asking yourself. It’s also okay to listen to others you trust. Hop onto WARRANTS [ Take a moment ] section and do some of Zoey’s journaling prompts and evening reflections. You can find it here. Don’t worry if it takes a while to come to you.

Secondly, you need to release the habits that are currently holding you back from your chosen path. Habits and routines can be incredibly binding and make you exhausted. Give yourself permission to create. The general theme you should be following when you’re lost is to confidently pursue new passions. It’s ok to move on from a job that you don’t enjoy anymore, or a hobby that doesn’t hold the same excitement for you.

Thirdly, you need to take the time to execute your plan. Now, this is tricky - personally work and sleep are the two things that always get me. For instance, “I am too tired for that” or “I wish I worked less so I could go and do that”. There is always time if you make time. You just have to prioritise and adjust your expectations to working with the amount of time you have. This may sound hard but give it a chance. We are all so good with distracting themselves with routines and habits that stop us from doing things we truly love.

Finding inspiration

Social media — whether you use it or not — is one of the biggest inspirational platforms out there today. Find someone who shows it how it is. It could be a friend of a friend that makes cool art or takes great photos, and by seeing their work you’re inspired to achieve your own passion. It could be the author of a book you couldn’t put down or the director of a movie that shook you to your core. It could be poetry from a fearless adventurer or a song that you can’t get out of your head. It could be a travel photographer you admire on Instagram, or a musician making waves through the ocean of expressive emotion. Whatever it is, harness their sense of direction. With this inspiration, you’ll be funnelled into the journey of your dreams.

Once you have found inspiration, either by searching for it or coming up with it naturally you still need to be attentive. It’s easy to live your life based on what others believe is right.

‘I’m inspired by lots of things but I am still lost’, you say. You’re going to feel lost at times and confused but don’t let that stop you in your journey. Feeling lost is your chance to go for the path the universe has intended for you. You do not want to be propelled into a life you never chose. Feeling lost doesn’t have to make you feel like you’re wasting your life or make you unsure what to live for. “Success in what you’re chasing can be achieved through sacrifice, risk-taking, and hard work, rather than by chance”. Does that sound familiar? It’s the national ethos of the USA, known as The American Dream. Now hold on a minute, I’m not saying if you’re lost strive for white picket fence, a 9-5, a dog and a mortgage.

Reach for your goals with an open mind, a good work ethic, and acknowledge that your road forward is going to include taking risks and making sacrifices. You’ll find your path through. It always works out in the end.

Onwards and upwards

Dear Reader, having wrestled with plenty of uncertainty myself, I know just how you feel. I’ve been miserable, unfulfilled and confused about what I wanted to do but I’ve found my path through the great outdoors. My curiosity has grown with every step in the woods, every waterfall and every mountain I have summited. I’ve received many lessons from our beautiful yet dangerous Mother Earth. She’s taught me how to improve my well-being more than anything else

Reader, I want you to choose something that works for you. Whether it be spending more time outside doing the things you enjoy, yoga and meditation, organising your future by journaling or simply practicing breathing exercises. Find a quiet spot in the wild, away from the loud noises of human production *cough* destruction and embrace the silence. It’ll amaze you.

I wish you the best of luck on your journey forward,

Remember that, you’re not lost forever; you’re just shifting paths forward!