I always felt lost and directionless until I adopted these 8 new habits

Feeling lost and directionless was my constant companion for a long time. It was as if I was wandering aimlessly in life, unsure of my path or purpose.

Then, I stumbled across 8 new habits that changed everything for me.

Adopting these habits didn’t just give me a sense of direction; they transformed my entire outlook on life. Suddenly, I wasn’t just surviving, I was thriving.

As Lachlan Brown, the founder of Hack Spirit and a mindfulness and Buddhism enthusiast, I’m excited to share these transformative habits with you.

This article is all about the habits that helped me find my way when I felt lost. And who knows? They might just do the same for you.

1) Embracing mindfulness

Before I discovered mindfulness, life felt like a blur. I was constantly rushing from one thing to the next, never really feeling present or content.

Mindfulness, a practice rooted in Buddhism, offered me a new perspective. It taught me to live in the present moment, to really experience life as it unfolds.

When we’re always thinking about the past or worrying about the future, we can feel lost and directionless. But mindfulness helps us to be present in the now. It’s like a compass for life, guiding us toward what truly matters.

Practicing mindfulness can be as simple as taking a few minutes each day to focus on your breath, or really pay attention to the taste of your morning coffee.

It’s not about eliminating thoughts or stress entirely, but rather learning how to manage and respond to them more effectively.

Mindfulness might not give you all the answers, but it certainly brings more clarity and direction. And for me, that was the first step towards finding my way.

2) Daily meditation

Meditation became my lifeline in the sea of uncertainty. I had always heard about its benefits, but it wasn’t until I started practicing daily that I truly understood its transformative power.

Each morning, I would set aside 15 minutes to sit in silence. It was a time to connect with myself, to let go of past regrets and future anxieties, and simply be in the moment.

Meditation helps us clear our minds and create a sense of inner peace. It’s like a roadmap that leads us out of confusion and towards clarity.

Famous mindfulness expert Jon Kabat-Zinn once said, “Meditation is the only intentional, systematic human activity which at bottom is about not trying to improve yourself or get anywhere else, but simply to realize where you already are.”

This quote resonated with me deeply. Meditation wasn’t about changing who I was, but rather about understanding and accepting myself. It was about finding peace in the present moment, regardless of where I was in life.

And that acceptance made me feel less lost and more grounded.

3) Accepting impermanence

One of the most challenging yet liberating habits I adopted was accepting the concept of impermanence, a fundamental tenet of Buddhism.

Life is constantly changing, and everything we know – our circumstances, our feelings, our thoughts – is temporary. This can be a daunting realization. But it can also be incredibly freeing.

When I felt lost, I often found myself clinging to the idea of how things “should be”. I was stuck in a cycle of resistance, unable to move forward.

But when I learned to accept impermanence, I began to see change not as a threat, but as an opportunity for growth.

It meant that feeling lost wasn’t a permanent state. It was simply a moment in time that would pass. And with that acceptance came the freedom to let go of my fears and take steps towards finding my path.

Accepting impermanence didn’t make the confusion disappear overnight. But it made me more resilient and open-minded in the face of uncertainty. And that made all the difference.

4) Cultivating self-compassion

Mindfulness isn’t just about being aware of our thoughts and feelings. It’s also about how we respond to them.

And one of the toughest lessons I learned was the importance of self-compassion.

In times of confusion and uncertainty, we can often be our own harshest critics. We berate ourselves for not having all the answers, for feeling lost, for making mistakes.

But this self-criticism only amplifies our feelings of being lost and directionless. It perpetuates a cycle of negativity that’s hard to break.

Instead, practicing self-compassion involves acknowledging our struggles without judgement. It means treating ourselves with the same kindness and understanding that we would offer a friend in a similar situation.

Mindfulness teaches us that it’s okay to feel lost. It’s okay to not have all the answers. And it’s absolutely okay to be kind to ourselves while we figure things out.

Cultivating self-compassion was a game-changer for me. It allowed me to navigate my feelings of uncertainty without drowning in self-criticism. And it gave me the courage to continue my journey, even when the path ahead seemed unclear.

5) Living with Maximum Impact and Minimum Ego

One of the most valuable lessons I learned in my quest for direction was the importance of living with purpose while keeping my ego in check. It’s a balance that’s not always easy to achieve, but it can be transformative.

My book, “Hidden Secrets of Buddhism: How To Live With Maximum Impact and Minimum Ego”, explores this concept in depth. Writing it was not only a personal journey, but also an opportunity to share the wisdom I’ve gathered along the way.

Feeling lost often stems from a focus on the self – our fears, our doubts, our perceived shortcomings. But when we shift our focus outward, towards the impact we can make on the world around us, things begin to change.

The ego becomes less dominant, and we start to see ourselves as part of something bigger. We realize our potential to make a difference, big or small. And that realization can give us a sense of direction and purpose like nothing else.

It’s not about eliminating the ego completely – it’s about finding a balance. A balance where we can live meaningfully and purposefully, while keeping our egos in check.

And trust me, from personal experience, it’s a balance worth striving for.

6) Practicing detachment

In my journey, one of the most challenging but rewarding habits I adopted was practicing detachment, a concept deeply rooted in both Buddhism and mindfulness.

We often attach our happiness and self-worth to external things – our jobs, our relationships, our accomplishments. When things are going well, we feel good. But when they’re not, we feel lost and directionless.

Detachment doesn’t mean not caring about anything. It means understanding that our worth isn’t defined by external circumstances. It means being able to find peace and contentment within ourselves, regardless of what’s happening around us.

This was a tough lesson to learn. There were times when I felt like I was fighting against the tide, trying to hold on to things that were constantly changing. But with time and practice, I began to see the wisdom in letting go.

Practicing detachment allowed me to find stability within myself, even when everything around me seemed uncertain.

It doesn’t mean you stop caring about the world around you or the people in your life. Instead, it means finding a healthy balance between caring and not letting the ups and downs of life consume you.

It’s not an easy habit to cultivate, but it’s one that can bring a sense of peace and direction in even the most turbulent times.

7) Embracing the journey

One of the most profound realizations I came to was understanding that life is a journey, not a destination. It’s a concept that’s often talked about, but truly embracing it can change everything.

I spent a lot of time feeling lost because I was so focused on where I thought I should be, rather than appreciating where I was. I was constantly chasing after something, never really finding satisfaction in the present moment.

Then, I came across a quote by Buddhist monk Thich Nhat Hanh: “The miracle is not to walk on water. The miracle is to walk on the green earth, dwelling deeply in the present moment and feeling truly alive.”

This quote resonated with me deeply. It reminded me that every step of the journey is important, not just the end goal. It encouraged me to slow down, to appreciate each moment, and to realize that feeling truly alive comes from being fully present.

Embracing the journey wasn’t just about changing my perspective. It was about accepting that feelings of confusion and uncertainty are part of this journey. It was about understanding that it’s okay to feel lost sometimes, because that’s part of being human.

And most importantly, it was about realizing that even when I feel lost, I am still on my path. And every step forward, no matter how small, is a step in the right direction.

8) Allowing myself to feel lost

It may sound counterintuitive, but one of the most liberating habits I developed was allowing myself to feel lost.

In our society, we’re often told that we should always know where we’re going, what we’re doing, and who we are. Feeling lost is seen as a sign of weakness or failure. But here’s the thing: it’s not.

Mindfulness teaches us to accept our emotions without judgment, and this includes feelings of uncertainty and confusion. Instead of fighting these feelings or seeing them as something negative, I started to see them as opportunities for growth.

Allowing myself to feel lost was like giving myself permission to explore, to question, and to discover new aspects of myself. It was about embracing the unknown with curiosity rather than fear.

This didn’t mean that I stopped seeking direction or purpose in my life. Rather, it meant that I stopped seeing feeling lost as a roadblock and started seeing it as a part of the journey.

It was a subtle shift in mindset, but a powerful one. And it made all the difference in my journey towards finding direction and purpose.

Feeling lost and directionless can be overwhelming. But remember, it’s not a permanent state. It’s a part of the journey, a stepping stone to growth and self-discovery.

These habits – mindfulness, meditation, accepting impermanence, self-compassion, living with maximum impact and minimum ego, practicing detachment, embracing the journey, and allowing yourself to feel lost – have been transformative for me. They’ve given me clarity, direction, and most importantly, a deeper understanding of myself.

If you’re interested in diving deeper into these concepts and understanding how Buddhism can help you navigate life with wisdom and serenity, I invite you to check out my book “Hidden Secrets of Buddhism: How To Live With Maximum Impact and Minimum Ego”.

Remember, it’s okay to feel lost sometimes. It’s okay to not have all the answers. Because in those moments of uncertainty and confusion, we often find our most profound insights and our truest selves.

Here’s to embracing the journey, wherever it may lead.