We’ve all been there. That moment when you look around and think, “How did I get here?” Maybe you’re scrolling through old photos, remembering dreams you used to chase, or catching a glimpse of yourself in the mirror and wondering when you stopped recognizing the person staring back.
If this sounds familiar, I have something to tell you: You’re not broken. You’re not failing. You’re just human.
The Beautiful Mess of Being Lost
Here’s what I’ve learned after years of feeling like I was wandering in circles: being lost isn’t a bug in the system—it’s a feature. Think about it. When was the last time you discovered something amazing while following a perfectly mapped route?
Life has this sneaky way of pulling us in every direction. Work demands this, family expects that, society tells us we should want something else entirely. Before we know it, we’re living someone else’s definition of success, wearing masks that don’t quite fit, and wondering why everything feels… off.
But what if I told you that this uncomfortable feeling of being lost is actually your inner compass trying to recalibrate?
The Caterpillar Doesn’t Know It’s Going to Fly
I love the caterpillar metaphor because it’s messy and real. Inside that chrysalis, the caterpillar doesn’t just grow wings—it literally dissolves into soup before becoming something entirely new. Imagine being that caterpillar, thinking your world is ending, not knowing you’re about to discover flight.
That’s what finding yourself again feels like sometimes. Uncomfortable. Uncertain. But ultimately transformative.
Your 5-Minute Self-Discovery Check-In
Ready to start reconnecting with who you really are? Here’s a simple practice I swear by (and no, you don’t need candles or meditation cushions—though they’re nice if you have them):
Find five quiet minutes. Seriously, just five. Hide in your car, lock the bathroom door, or step outside for a moment.
Take three deep breaths and ask yourself these questions:
- “What actually lights me up?” Not what you think should excite you, but what genuinely brings you energy. Maybe it’s organizing your bookshelf, having deep conversations with strangers, or making the perfect playlist.
- “What values matter to me right now?” Notice I said “right now.” Our values can shift as we grow, and that’s perfectly okay. What principles do you want guiding your decisions today?
- “If I could design my ideal day, what would it include?” Dream big, dream small, dream weird. There are no wrong answers here.
The magic isn’t in having perfect answers—it’s in simply asking the questions and listening to what comes up.
You’re Not Starting Over, You’re Coming Home
Here’s the thing about finding yourself again: you’re not actually lost. The real you has been there all along, maybe just buried under years of shoulds and supposed-tos.
Every time you feel that spark of recognition—when a song moves you, when you laugh until your stomach hurts, when you feel proud of something you’ve created—that’s not a new discovery. That’s you remembering who you’ve always been.
So be patient with yourself during this process. Trust that the path will reveal itself as you walk it. And remember: sometimes the most beautiful destinations are found by taking the scenic route.
What’s one small thing that lights you up that you could do today? I’d love to hear about it in the comments.
