It’s Okay To Be Lost

Dear Collective Family,

This week, I want to touch on something that many of us experience but don’t often talk about: feeling lost. If you’ve ever felt uncertain about where you’re headed or wondered why things don’t seem to make sense, I want you to remember one important truth: You’ve never been this version of yourself before.

Let that sink in for a moment.

Think about how different each phase of your life has been. From 0 to 5, you learned to walk, talk, and express yourself. Between 5 and 10, you were introduced to new concepts, routines, and social dynamics. By 15, life probably felt a little more complex as you navigated teenage years. Then came your twenties, a whirlwind of independence, choices, and responsibilities. And as you moved through your twenties and beyond, each chapter of life brought its own set of challenges, discoveries, and growth.

Every 5 years, you’ve changed. Your needs, your wants, your desires, and your understanding of the world have all evolved. So why wouldn’t you feel lost sometimes? You’re constantly becoming a new version of yourself. In a way, you’re completely rebuilt about once a decade as all the cells of your body are replaced with new ones. It’s no surprise that this much change can sometimes feel like you’ve drifted off-course.

It’s not stagnation; it’s transformation.

But here’s the beauty of it all: it’s okay to feel lost. It’s part of the journey. Most people get stuck when they resist this evolution, clinging to who they were rather than embracing who they are becoming. Feeling lost doesn’t mean you’re failing or falling behind. It means you’re transitioning into something new. And that’s exciting. Change isn’t always comfortable, but it’s a sign that you’re growing, learning, and evolving.

Here are a few things to keep in mind when you feel lost:

1. Welcome the Unknown: It’s easy to fear the unknown, but instead of viewing it as something to avoid, try welcoming it. You’re on the path to becoming a better, wiser, and more experienced version of yourself. The unknown is where the growth happens.

When you feel lost, remind yourself that you’re in the middle of a transformation. Life is constantly presenting us with opportunities to grow and evolve. Don’t resist it—embrace it.

1. Understand That Stagnation Isn’t Permanent: It’s okay if you don’t have all the answers right now. Feeling stuck or stagnant doesn’t mean you’re not progressing. Sometimes it’s just a quiet period before the next big change.

The trick is to be patient with yourself during these moments. Don’t mistake stillness for a lack of growth. Sometimes we need those moments of reflection and pause to figure out what’s next.

1. Reflect on How Far You’ve Come: When you feel lost, take a step back and look at the bigger picture. Each phase of your life has been different, and that’s okay. Think about where you were 5 years ago and how much you’ve grown since then. You’re not the same person, and that’s something to be proud of.

It’s easy to get frustrated when we feel lost, but remember that it’s part of the natural ebb and flow of life. You’ve navigated changes before, and you’ll navigate them again.

1. Be Kind to Yourself: The version of yourself that you’re becoming is still figuring things out. Be patient. Don’t criticize yourself for not having all the answers. It’s okay to take your time and find your footing. You’re not meant to have everything figured out.

Growth and change don’t happen overnight. Be kind to yourself during this process, and trust that the feelings of uncertainty won’t last forever.

Celebrate Your Evolution

Every single one of us is growing, changing, and evolving, whether we realize it or not. We’re continuously learning what works for us and what doesn’t. As you journey through these phases of life, don’t shy away from the uncertainty. Embrace the feelings of being lost because they’re guiding you toward new growth, new opportunities, and new perspectives. You are becoming something more with each step, even if the path isn’t always clear.

Remember, feeling lost doesn’t mean you’re broken or failing. It means you’re becoming.

In the words of Albert Einstein, "Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance, you must keep moving." So keep moving, Collective family. Trust the process. Trust your evolution. Even if you feel lost, you’re still moving forward.

Let’s face this week with an open heart and a willingness to embrace all the changes coming our way. Because at the end of the day, this version of yourself is worth getting to know, worth celebrating, and worth being patient with.

Here’s to continual growth and embracing every version of ourselves—past, present, and future.

With gratitude and encouragement,
Charlie