Lost. You remember it, don’t you? Playing hide-and-seek in the clothing racks at Macy’s, when suddenly you turn around and Momma’s missing. Do you remember that feeling? Maybe you’re feeling it now. With all the uncertainty that overcasts our future, feeling lost might be part of your everyday life. At least that was the case for me. Many seasons ago, I was lost. Lost in the thicket of a thousand dreams without Google Maps to get me back on track. If you’re feeling a little lost, not sure what your next move should be, don’t worry. I want to encourage you that you don’t have to stay lost. You can pick yourself up, get it together, and find your way back. After all, I’m living proof that what is lost can always be found.
So maybe I’m being dramatic, but if you’ve been here before, you can probably say, “eh, what’s new.” I want to clarify; I am not referring to being physically lost. The kind of lost I’m talking about is the lost that you feel in the roots of your spirit, in the deepest part of your gut. It’s like that uneasiness as if you forgot to turn off the stove that creeps up on you while you’re in the bread aisle at H-E-B. If you’ve been there, you know the feeling, and this post is dedicated to you. I want to share with you part of my story and offer you some unsolicited advice about how you too can get un-lost.
STORYTIME
There once was a happy little southern belle that wanted to be EVERYTHING: a singer, an actress, a vet, a nutritionist, a writer, a fashion designer, an advertising guru, and a stay-at-home mother. Yes, literally everything, and so she wandered through a variety of degree paths during her university years, finally graduating with a degree with plenty of debt and still not a clue as to what she would be “when she grew up.” The issue was that she had grown up, and the time left to decide what to be or do was eminent. So, she left the comfort of her small hometown, kicking and screaming, and went to the big city where, through trial and error, she settled on something she hadn’t thought of before: Law. A muddling of ingredients from all of her past dreams, the path she picked seemed to fuse all her talents. Her closing arguments were reminiscent of her performances in The Theater; her love for writing wove its way into her research; the advertising experience aided her in marketing her personal brand to potential future employers and clients. Yes, she found what she wanted, and she’s living happily ever after.
As I’m sure you’ve gathered, our little southern belle was Yours truly, and while you’re getting the sweet and condensed version of how I got to where I am, the truth is, it was really rough getting here. I remember feeling like I reeked of failure that no amount of Jo Malone’s Nectarine Blossom and Honey (my signature scent) could ever cover-up. But look at me now– one semester away from graduation. It’s a dream come true. But enough about me, let’s get back to why we are here: to help you get un-lost. Easier written than carried out, getting un-lost is a process, and as the trite expression goes, “You have to trust the process.” There are, however, some practical things that you can do if you’re being lost stems from uncertainty in your future career. First things first, let’s reflect, shall we?
WHAT DO YOU WANT?
If we were sitting together, right about now, I’d burst into Christina Aguilera’s version of Reflection from Mulan, belting, “WHOOOOO IS THAT GIRL I SEE?” Mulan was lost, too. But she looked in the mirror, realized that she wanted to save her father and did the dang thing!
To have our Mulan moment, I ask you, what do you love? Big question, simple answer. Think about the things that you are passionate about. What do you love doing? Do you love to craft, bake, teach, volunteer? What is it that you would do even if no one paid you to do it? Think about what you enjoy, and then think about the types of jobs with characteristics that pull from what you love—a Venn diagram, if you will. Find that middle ground between your hobbies and the possible careers. Not to say that your hobby can’t eventually become your career or a second career (Hello, I’m building a blog here!) If you’re brave enough to take the road less traveled, make ol’ Robert Frost proud and go for it, but if you’re looking for a more traditional career, again think about the elements of your favorite past times and see what kind of jobs also require similar skills.
YOU BETTER WORK!
Law school would’ve been so much more fun if someone could’ve just airdropped me my degree on the first day I set foot on campus. Alas, I am only here because I was willing to put in the work. Thousands of hours of studying, writing, briefing, and researching went into this degree. Still, while I wasn’t always happy, I was happy to do it because I knew that each day I spent doing work, I was that much closer to financial independence. My next proposition is that you take a serious look inward and assess yourself with naked honesty. Are you ready to put in the work that it will take to make your dreams come true? Britney said it best, “You want a hot body? You want a Bugatti? You want a Maserati? You better work…” In essence, the wisdom of our 90’s pop princess is sage. You have to work for what you want. No one is going to just magically hand you or airdrop your job or your degree. So, think long and hard as to whether you’re willing to put in the effort it takes to get what you want. If you’re not, revisit the previous section in this post and reassess what it is you want. If you are ready to make your dreams a reality, grab the bull by the horns, and get to work!
LET US PRAY
Now that you have decided what you think you want to be, I want to encourage you to keep an open mind. Don’t freak out, but maybe what you want is not as great as what God has in store for you. Perhaps his plan for you is precisely what you are hoping for, but maybe it’s even better. My advice to you is to seek God to guide you to what his plan is for you. I know that can sound intimidating. Seeking God who doesn’t always respond in the most obvious ways to guide you in a situation that needs attention NOW takes a lot of faith. The good news is, all you need is faith the size of a mustard seed—just a little bit. With that tiny bit of faith, God can move mountains, open doors, and clear a path for you that you would not have seen on your own. Personally, I have found that when my brain feels like a ball of knotted yarn trying to make decisions, it’s best to just put it in God’s hands and seek his guidance. Finding the right “station” to tune into can be a little challenging, but the more time you spend with Him, the easier it is to hear Him. If you are a person of faith, I highly suggest that you ask the Lord to guide you to the right path. As I said, it may seem like He doesn’t hear you, or He just might not answer right away, but in my experience, the Lord can sometimes be just like most customer service representatives—call on Him enough times, and you’ll get your answer eventually. Putting your life in God’s hands is scary but so worth it; there’s no safer place to be.
- Psalm 119:105, Your word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.
- Psalm 119:133, Direct my steps by your word.
- Matthew 6:33, But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things shall be given unto you as well.
I find that when I lean on God, He guides me, not always in the way I thought or wished He would, but He never lets me fall without stretching out a hand to help me stand up. Take the time to trust and seek the Lord. Take your dreams to Him, and He will either help you bring them to life or show you something greater that He has in store for you.
Just because you are lost right now does not mean that you will be lost forever. Don’t lose hope, dust yourself off, slap on some lip gloss, and get yourself un-lost. I believe in you.
With love from the Lonestar,
Isabella
