How to Find Direction When You've Lost Your Compass

I’m not going to lie—this last year and a half has been a lot. Life has been overwhelming, full of change, loss, and moments of uncertainty. I’ve moved states, navigated career shifts, walked away from relationships I never thought I’d lose, and even questioned whether I’d ever fully trust a friend again.

For someone like me—someone who has always thrived on momentum, on setting goals and achieving them—feeling lost was terrifying. It wasn’t just about losing my sense of direction. It was deeper than that. It felt like losing myself. I wasn’t sure what I wanted anymore, and worse, I wasn’t sure who I was without the goals and plans that had once defined me.

At times, I felt like I had lost my spark, my sense of purpose—the thing that keeps me focused and moving forward. I went through the motions, checked off the boxes, and kept myself busy, but I wasn’t living. I was floating, waiting for something to reignite that fire inside me.

The hardest part? I had always been the one who took action, who figured things out, who knew what I wanted and went after it without hesitation. But for a while, none of that felt true anymore. I was second-guessing myself, questioning every decision, and wondering if I was capable of creating the life I envisioned.

But slowly—very slowly—I started to find my way back. I started to reconnect with the things that made me feel alive. I let go of the pressure to have it all figured out immediately and instead focused on the small choices that made me feel a little more like myself every day.

Now, I feel like I have my fire back. I’ve realigned with my purpose, my passions, and my future. And if you’ve ever felt lost—like you’re going through the motions but not really living—I want you to know that you’re not alone.

How to find your compass again:

1. Focus on What Makes You Happy

When life feels directionless, start with the basics: what makes you happy? Not what used to make you happy, not what should make you happy—what actually lights you up right now? I started by leaning into the things that made me feel alive—spending time in nature, creating content, writing, and working on causes that mattered to me. These weren’t huge, dramatic changes; they were small moments that reminded me of who I was before I got lost.

2. Take Note of What Makes You Sad

Just as important as recognizing joy is acknowledging what drains you. Are there people, routines, or environments that feel heavier than they should? I had to accept that some relationships I had poured so much into were no longer good for me. That realization hurt, but holding onto things that don’t serve you only prolongs your suffering.

3. Identify Where Your Time is Going

Who and what are you devoting your energy to? Are they adding value to your life, or are they just filling space? For a long time, I was investing energy in things and people who didn’t align with the future I wanted. Letting go of obligations and relationships that no longer fit my vision was hard, but it was necessary.

4. Cut Out What Doesn’t Serve Your Future Self

This is a big one. If something (or someone) doesn’t align with the person you’re becoming, let it go. No guilt, no second-guessing. You don’t owe anyone an explanation for prioritizing your growth. Walking away from situations, people, and habits that weren’t in alignment with my future self was one of the most liberating things I did.

5. Get Your Health and Finances in Check

Feeling lost often comes with feeling out of control, and nothing feels more out of control than your health and finances being a mess. I had to get real about what I was neglecting—whether it was my mental well-being, my spending habits, or my physical health. Stability in these areas creates a foundation for everything else.

6. Treat Yourself (a Little)

Healing and rebuilding your life doesn’t mean you have to deprive yourself of joy. Buy the coffee. Take the trip. Get the new outfit. Remind yourself that life is still meant to be enjoyed, even while you’re figuring things out.

7. Move If You Need To—A Fresh Start Can Be Everything

Moving changed my life—twice. Leaving California for Colorado, and then Colorado for Washington, forced me to grow in ways I never would have if I had stayed in places that no longer felt right. A new environment can be the reset button you need, and if you feel like where you are is holding you back, don’t be afraid to go.

8. If You Hate Your Job, Apply for New Ones

If your career is making you miserable, change it. I’ve done this multiple times, and while it’s never easy, it’s always been worth it. Work takes up too much of your life to be something you dread. I’ve applied for jobs in different industries, pivoted, and chased new opportunities—because settling for something that drains you is never the answer.

9. If You Hate Any Part of Your Life, Change It

This is the most important lesson of all. You are not stuck. If something isn’t working—whether it’s your job, your city, your relationships, or your habits—you have the power to change it. Will it be easy? No. Will it be worth it? Absolutely.

Finding Your Way Back

Losing your sense of direction is scary, but it’s also an opportunity. It forces you to reevaluate, to strip away the distractions, and to focus on what truly matters. And when you do that, you’ll find yourself again. You’ll rediscover your passion, your ambition, and your purpose.

So if you’re feeling lost right now, take a deep breath. You won’t feel this way forever. The path isn’t gone—it’s just waiting for you to take the next step. And when you do, you’ll realize you were never as lost as you thought you were.