Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail. — Ralph Waldo Emerson
last year was a pivotal year for me in many ways, and i found myself at a crossroads eager to explore and expand my knowledge about how my generation is embracing aging differently, both personally and professionally. my experience is proving to be quite different from my parents’, which doesn’t surprise me, as i’ve always been driven by a ‘create it if you can’t find it’ spirit. and, i thought it would be fascinating to dive into this topic and create my own research. i’ve had some fascinating conversations confirming that there are many of us who are making our own desire paths.
i can identify other moments in my life when i found myself in search of something - the right garment, the right creative approach, the right environment, the right community. and, somehow feeling like i couldn’t quite find that right fit, so i created what i envisioned.
speaking of community, i whole-body shaking and giggling thrive in it. there’s something special about solving a problem, moving through a process, accomplishing big or small goals, or celebrating real growth together.
earlier this year, i found myself longing, once again, for a women’s circle that aligned with my vision, values, and the kind of depth i was longing to embrace.
i searched in all of my familiar places, found several options, but not one resonated with me. then i realized that i’ve been in this space before. at different times in my life and professionally, when something meaningful didn’t exist in a way that excited me, i stopped my search and started creating. it’s never been from a place or mindset of knowing all of the answers, but from a willingness to trust myself, trust what my body was telling me i was missing.
what i’ve learned is this: that feeling of “this isn’t the right fit” isn’t a sign to give up—it’s inner wisdom. ultimately, it’s an opportunity to listen closely to our own inner knowing, our own values, and imagine the possibilities.
sometimes you just have to create a desire path because the path you’re seeking isn’t meant to be followed.
and what’s even cooler is that the very thing you wished existed is often what others are quietly seeking, too.
i invited a women’s circle into existence in February of this year, and it’s not only the right fit for me, it’s the right fit for seven other strong, beautiful, and growth-oriented women, and i can’t be more tickled about all we’ve shared, how we’re bonding and slowly growing together, and what’s on the horizon.
is there something you can’t find, try this simple practice:
take a moment and be still. place one hand on your heart and the other on your abdomen and take three slow, steady breaths - shorter inhale, short holding of breath, longer exhale.
now, lovingly ask yourself:
where in my life am i longing for something i can’t find?
you’re going to be tempted to overthink this, don’t, just notice what arises.
next, ask yourself:
if this existed in a way that truly aligned with who i am now and what i want, what would it look like? what would it feel like?
finally, ask yourself:
what is one small step i could take to begin creating this today?
keep it simple. embrace imperfection. just get started.