The Gift of the Unexpected

I recently turned 30, and it’s been eye-opening to see how far my life looks from what I once imagined. We set these invisible deadlines for ourselves—personal goals, milestones, and dreams we’re sure we’ll achieve if we just take the “right” steps. And then, life does what life does: it hands us the unexpected.

This past year especially has been a season of recollecting myself. I’ve spent more time in solitude, reflecting on what needs to shift in the way I move through life, how my old decision-making patterns no longer serve me, and how essential it is to quiet my mind so I can actually hear and follow the life meant for me.

Lately, I’ve set a new goal of running one mile a day. Even in just a short time, it’s been teaching me the power of consistency—showing up even when it feels uncomfortable or inconvenient. With my late diagnosis of ADD, I’ve come to see how differently my brain organizes time, space, and thoughts compared to others. For so long, the goals I set weren’t really mine at all—they were mirrors of someone else’s version of success.

When you pause to reflect, to be alone, and to honestly examine what’s working and what isn’t, you create the freedom to start fresh. Sometimes life forces you into the unexpected just so you have the space to look around and take stock. It’s tempting to stay on the same train simply because jumping off feels too jarring, but staying on a fast-moving train that’s headed nowhere doesn’t serve us either. Life moves quickly when we stop paying attention.

Wherever you are in your journey, give yourself the gift of checking in. Ask yourself: Where am I headed? Is this truly where I want to go? Is there another path calling to me that I’ve been too afraid—or too busy—to notice?

The first step is awareness. The next step is action.