You’re On The Right Path, You’re Just Not Managing It That Well -Caroline Myss
Do you feel a lack of harmony with the way you feel about yourself or the environment around you? Do you think no matter what you do is not satisfying your inner self and there is a persistent lack of certainty in your life? Are you finding it difficult to feel and live in the moment with ease? Are you driving down the wrong path in life and you don’t know how to stop it?
It may not be obvious knowing if we are on the wrong path in life but as the great spiritual teacher Carolyn Myss the author of Anatomy of the Spirit: The Seven Stages of Power and Healing
points out in this video clip on Oprah’s Super Soul Sunday that “you’re on the right path, you’re just not managing it that well.”
What is being on the wrong path?
Being on the wrong path to me is a feeling that tugs at your heart and soul and whispers in your ear in the middle of the night that there is something else out there for you. It’s a feeling of not fulfilling your true potential of why you are put on earth in the first place.
Caroline Myss describes the feeling like this:
“This isn’t costing my psyche, it’s not costing me, my soul… I can be tired after a days work, but I’m not psychically drained where I feel like I’m losing life, and losing myself.”
Some people are lucky enough to know their purpose and get to live it out. While others may not know at all. Or, they do know but they have to make sacrifices and compromises for themselves and/or their families to survive in this modern world that has seen many changes since the Covid-19 pandemic.
“If you have life, you have purpose.” — Caroline Myss
My own life certainly didn’t reflect my childhood dream of having a successful acting career and a house before I was 30 years old. Instead, reality brought unexpected truths and life lessons. All my choices shaped my life that became a labyrinth of obstacles, detours, emotions, dead ends, and colorful adventures.
But was I on the wrong path? Or, perhaps I had a childish fairytale expectation? Or, maybe I was on the right path all along, but I just wasn’t managing it that well.
Whatever the right or wrong path is, it is merely a perception and a feeling that is personal to you. We must not judge ourselves harshly for where we are now. Perhaps we may just need to let go of our old expectations, and the expectations of our future so we can be open to receive something better.
But first, we have to be conscious of how we are managing our life and look within to see if any signs are telling us we are on the wrong path — or as Caroline Myss would say “not managing it that well.”
There are certain signs you’re on the wrong path that you need to recognize in order to take the necessary steps towards the path of fulfillment.
Please note, however, that anyone at any stage in their life can experience any of the listed below whether they are on the “right” or “wrong” path. But if you find yourself resonating with the majority on the list, then it could be time to re-evaluate your current situation.
Let’s look at 12 signs that are telling you, you’re on the wrong path in life!
#1. A loss of identity
There may have been a point in your life where you really knew who you were, and what you wanted to do with your life. But somehow in the journey through life, you took a “wrong” turn and got lost. You may even got a little complacent in your surroundings. Consequently, you don’t feel in control of where you are going and don’t yet have a clear map to get out.
#2. You are in a desperate need to change things
The only constant thing about the world we are living in is change! Without change, we cannot grow each day and become a better version of ourselves. That is why when you’re on the wrong path in life, your subconscious keeps craving for change.
If you are stuck in a situation or a pattern of repetitive emotions and behavior, chances are, your mind and soul will figuratively erode and become resistant to growth.
This leads to frustration, anxiety, and a general disconnection from your environment and not to mention, your soul. So, when you are feeling these signs, you should know something needs to be changed.
#3. You’re not motivated or excited about life
A person with a strong connection with the universe will feel fulfillment in life. The case is not the same when you’re on the wrong path in life. If you feel that everything has lost its meaning, chances are you’re on the wrong path in life, and something needs to be done.
If you’re a victim of this, you will feel disconnected from your true purpose and feel a lack of motivation and vision for your future.
Ask yourself: What’s your WHY?… What makes you get excited about life and gets you out of bed?
#4. You feel stuck.
Do you struggle to find momentum and feel like your going around in circles just like the character Sarah in the movie The Labyrinth? You feel like your going nowhere, but you don’t know how to get out of it?
#5. You feel envious of others
Naturally, I’m not a jealous person, but there have been a few moments in the past where I have experienced an intense flood of emotions just by watching actors play their characters on the silver screen. I know this might seem pathetic, but in reality, this was a sign to me that I had a huge yearning to express my creativity through storytelling like I saw the actors do.
Observe these feelings within yourself. Do you ever catch yourself yearning for something you don’t have? Whether it be a relationship, more money, or a higher career status?
#6. Job Hopping
You may have experience with everything but you are an expert at nothing. This again I know about, as at one point in my life I was lost without direction, which reflected externally on the jobs I took on.
This is a clear sign you are not grounded in a career path you love and could eventually lead you onto another job that you feel the same about.
If you feel you’re betraying your self-worth and soul by working a job that doesn’t value you or align with your vision then make an exit plan and search deep for other alternatives that will best suit your skills and purpose and values in life.
RELEVANT READING: How To Know It’s Time To Quit Your Job That Isn’t Right For You
#7. Your relationships are strained
When you’re not happy within yourself, it’s going to eventually reflect externally onto every other part of your life including how you behave around the ones closest to you.
#8. You experience a mysterious chronic pain
One obvious sign that you’re on the wrong path in life is feeling constant and unexplainable pain. This kind of pain is not subjected to the number of hours it persists or its intensity. Its presence is a strong indicator that there is something fishy happening in your life.
Most often, people go through a lot of medical diagnostic tests or blame it on their gym classes but are not aware of the underlying cause. This cause is much related to mental and spiritual aspects that we do not at first consider to be of that much importance. But, research shows that our mental and spiritual state can indeed affect our physical state.
#9. Earth dwelling
An earth dweller to me is someone that is unconsciously drifting through life like a zombie with no clear goal in life but to go through the motions of the day just to survive.
Possible symptoms could be experiencing constant fatigue, a low immune system, and low energy levels that will affect your productivity and quality of life.
#10. You’re always stressed and running out of time
Signs you’re on the wrong path include constant stress and anxiety. If you feel as if no matter how many tasks you get done you don’t have enough time, then this might be a red alert for letting you know you’re on the wrong path in life. However, many people still feel stressed out even if they have no obvious issues in life. This is due to a lack of self-awareness and a clash between what they think and what they feel. Sometimes, if people achieve something they want, but do not work for what they need, they experience emotional stress from time to time.
This involves many factors like toxic relationships, being in a job that doesn’t satisfy you, financial issues, or a general incongruity with life.
#11. You’re easily distracted
If you’re grounded in purpose, with a vision that is specific to your dreams you’re less likely to get swayed by the unimportant distractions in life. If your mission in life hasn’t grounded you enough, you’re more likely to get distracted. You may also tend to dream a lot more, rather than taking action as you don’t have a clear plan that motivates you in the right direction.
#12. You seek others approval often
Because of the uncertainty of your life’s path you are on, you may feel insecure and have a lack of self-worth. This can make you trust your instincts less, and you’ll likely give your power away by listening to other people’s opinions instead of your own.
Questions to ponder:
- Do you fill voids with drugs, sex, alcohol, or food?
- Do you lack confidence?
- Do you find it hard to say no?
- Do you feel depressed?
To find out more on your own approval-seeking habits, check out the article: How To Stop Giving A Shit Of What Others Think Of You
Conclusion:
No matter what path you find yourself on, try to live in the present moment and be kind to yourself. Stop looking too far ahead at your future destination, or looking too far back, at your last. This will only distract you from what you can control right now.
From what I’ve learned by feeling like I’m often on the wrong path, is that things change, you change! Embrace it! I’m still figuring out my path in my 30’s and certain desires I had in my 20’s are no longer there.
Sometimes we don’t always end up where we think we’ll be, with who we’re with or what we have. But we may end up where we are supposed to be. But no matter where we are in life, we are enough.
Caroline Myss nailed it on the head. If you have a feeling of self-betrayal or a feeling that’s costing you a part of yourself, then it could be time to get a new road map. But don’t forget to enjoy the journey along the way!
