Idaho, Iowa, Des Moines
December 14, 2020

Am I On the Right Path?

If you’ve been wondering about if you’re on the right path you’re not alone.

Many of us reach a point in our lives when we wonder if we’re going in the right direction. Maybe you woke up one day and the thought hit you like a ton of bricks, or perhaps it’s been a nagging thought in the back of your head for a while.

Regardless of how you arrived at this place, it’s time to do some serious reflection. After all, you deserve to feel good about your life--from your career choice to your personal life and relationships.

Read on for tips on how to get a sense of whether you’re on a path that’s right for you, or if you need to make some changes.

You look forward to starting your day

When you’re in a good place in life, you’re eager to start your day. You get out of bed when the alarm goes off instead of hitting the snooze button over and over again.

Of course, we all have mornings when we get up on the wrong side of the bed or feel a little tired. But if you have to drag yourself out of bed regularly, it might be time to reevaluate.

You feel energized

If you feel invigorated by life, it’s a safe bet to say that you’re probably on the right track.

However, if you’re finding yourself constantly drained, you may want to consider making changes.

Does work zap your energy? Do you give more than you gain from your relationship? Do your hobbies bore you instead of invigorate you?

If so, you may want to reconsider those elements of your life.

You feel confident in your decisions

The fact that you’re wondering, “Am I on the right path?” says something.

When people are in a job or relationship that’s a good fit for them, they don’t spend a lot of time questioning it. It just feels right.

am i on the right path

Of course, there’s no real-life crystal ball that tells us exactly what we should be doing in life. But if you’re spending a lot of time second-guessing yourself and your choices, it’s likely a sign that you’re not happy with how things are going.

You’re not concerned about what others think

When you’re satisfied with your path in life, you don’t look for validation from other people. Input from your loved ones may still be important to you, but you don’t need constant reassurance. You’re confident in your own choices, regardless of what people think.

It’s one thing to ask for advice. However, if you find yourself regularly seeking validation from others about your life path, it may be time to reflect on the “why” behind it.

You find joy in your life

This one is pretty straightforward, but it’s true: if you’re happy, you’re probably on a path that’s right for you.

Sometimes we can get so caught up in wondering if we’re doing the “right” thing that we don’t take time to reflect on what that even means.

Have you been so caught up in the idea of making money, reaching a certain milestone in a relationship, or checking off another “to-do” box in life that you’ve been neglecting your personal happiness?

While all of those can be valid reasons for motivation, you shouldn’t chase them just because it’s what you think you’re supposed to do.

If you’re struggling to find joy while working toward your current goals, it may be time to shift your focus. Remember, the “right” path should be the one that makes you happy.

Where do I go from here?

If reading this article has made you realize that you may not be on a path that’s right for you, you’re probably wondering about how you can get to a place that feels better.

There are a few different strategies that can help you refocus your energy.

Consider a career change

Is your job the main thing that makes you question your path in life? Maybe you dread getting out of bed in the morning because you know that you’re going to spend all day at a job that drains you.

Even though looking for a new job can be anxiety-provoking, it could make you feel better in the long run. You deserve to enjoy what you do and feel appreciated in your workplace.

how do you know you’re on the right path

If you want to explore why you’re so unsatisfied with work and discover ways to avoid hating your job, check out this article on why you might hate your job so much.

Reflect with journaling

Sometimes it can be difficult to pinpoint exactly what’s making you question your path in life. It might feel like your thoughts are racing around in your head, making it feel impossible for you to sort through them all.

Writing down your thoughts and feelings can be helpful in this situation. Sometimes seeing them written down on a page can help you make sense of it all.

Try something new

Sometimes switching things up can be enough to reinvigorate us and help us feel better about where we’re at in life.

Routines can be helpful in keeping us consistent with working toward our goals, but too much monotony can make use feel like we’re stuck in a rut.

Trying something new can help you feel excited about life again. It can be anything from trying a new hobby to travelling to a place you’ve never been before. Get creative!

Explore if you're on the right path with therapy and coaching

Therapy can help you work through questions like “Am I on the right path?” Having another person to reflect with can help increase your insight around your current situation.

I specialize in working with anxious millennials just like you. As a millennial myself, I understand how difficult it can be to admit that we’re unhappy. We’re expected to be constantly achieving and working toward ambitious goals.

However, that doesn’t necessarily bring us joy.

I can support you with exploring your life path: what’s working for you, what’s not, what you truly value in life, and how you can live those values.

I also offer a coaching program for perfectionists that is designed to give you support and guidance around feeling good enough in your professional and personal life – no matter where you live. If you want help overcoming the belief that you have to constantly achieve in order to be worthwhile – and this belief is making you suffer – coaching is for you.

Think we might be a good fit? Reach out today to get started.

Meet the author

Danielle Wayne

Danielle is an anxiety therapist and perfectionism coach. She specializes in helping busy millennials dial down their anxiety and ADHD, so they can perform at their best. Danielle has been featured on Apartment Therapy, SparkPeople, Lifewire, and Now Art World. When Danielle isn't helping her clients, she's playing video games or spending time with her partner and step children.

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