When you feel lost
"I feel so lost. What do I do?"
A community member shared these words with me last week. In response, I want to share another way of looking at this very common feeling.
When you think about being lost, what comes to mind? For me, it's the image of someone who strayed from the trail and is now lost in the woods.
The funny thing about being lost, though, is that you do know where you are. You're right here, wherever your feet are. You just can't name where you are, because you don't have access to a map or a GPS.
It's other people who don't know where you are. They are the ones who can't locate you on a map.
Maybe when you say, "I'm lost," what you actually mean is, "Other people can't locate me on their map, and that is making me feel lost."
In our culture, there's a lot of pressure to follow a very specific path in life. When you stray from that path, other people's responses can make you feel lonely, confused, and sad. They can make you question yourself: 'Am I doing the right thing?' or 'What's wrong with me?'
In love and heartbreak, careers and adventures, beginnings and endings, there are moments when you might be unlocatable on society's map as you chart your own unique path. In those times, you're not lost at all. You're exploring.
You're exploring the possibilities that excite and energize you. You are exploring what matters to you. You are exploring different paths to see which one feels right.
When you're ready, you're going to mark your place on the map, a new spot that says I AM HERE. And your people, whoever and wherever they are, the ones who will love you as you are, will be able to find you.
