Finding True North: Lessons From the Journey Within
As the year turns, many of us pack away the struggles of the past twelve months with the hope that the future will bring clearer skies and smoother roads. But what if the promise of “better days” isn’t what we should be waiting for? What if the challenges we face—those moments that test our patience and resolve—are the optimum conditions for our personal growth?
Imagine a road trip where the destination is uncertain, but the journey itself is the point. Each flat tyre, wrong turn, or unexpected detour becomes an opportunity to adapt, discover, and grow. That’s the essence of finding your “true north”—not a fixed point on the map, but a dynamic, ever-evolving path shaped by the landscapes you traverse.
True North is not about perfection. It’s about purpose: the quiet, persistent pull toward the life you were meant to live. But like any compass, it requires calibration. And that calibration happens not in idyllic moments of triumph but in the messy, unpredictable, and often disappointing moments that force us to confront reality.
Take disappointment, for example. Perhaps you dreamed of being an artist, only to discover that painting wasn’t the destination but a stepping stone to something else. Or maybe you moved to a city you thought would transform your life, only to feel out of sync with its rhythm. These experiences can feel like failures, but they’re not. They’re necessary detours, nudging you closer to clarity.
The mistake many of us make is trying to map our lives based on what others expect of us. A career choice that pleases our parents, a lifestyle that fits a polished Instagram narrative, or a project that looks good on paper but leaves our hearts restless. Following these external markers may lead to temporary success, but they seldom bring lasting fulfilment.
Instead, the journey to True North asks us to meet life face to face, to step away from the “what ifs” and into the “what is.” It’s about learning to sit with disappointment when it arrives—not as a companion for the entire trip, but as a fleeting messenger with a vital lesson to share.
The message? Disappointment does not define you. It’s a signpost, not a destination. By listening to it—really listening—you begin to shed the lies you’ve been telling yourself. You are not a failure because something didn’t work out. You are not a disappointment because life isn’t going to plan. These moments are merely calls to realign, recalibrate, and keep moving forward.
True north will change. It has to. Like a winding mountain road, the path shifts as you grow. What felt like the right direction last year may no longer fit this year’s version of you. And that’s okay. It’s the journey—the stops, the starts, the detours—that sharpens your instinct, your ability to recognize the magnetic pull of authenticity.
This process is not without its challenges. To truly meet life as it is, you have to let go of fantasies and face the unvarnished truth of your current circumstances. At times, reality will feel too heavy, too overwhelming. In those moments, it’s okay to pause. Rest is not failure; it’s preparation. Sometimes, the greatest act of courage is admitting, “This is too much for me right now,” and giving yourself the grace to return stronger.
In the end, growth doesn’t come from avoiding hardship but from staying present with it—whether it’s a difficult client, a dry spell, or the fear of success. It’s about embracing the journey, not as a race to some imagined finish line, but as a continuous process of becoming.
So, as the calendar flips to a new year, let go of the hope that tomorrow will be easier. Instead, resolve to meet each moment—pleasant or unpleasant—with curiosity and courage. Follow your true north, even if it shifts along the way. And remember, the journey itself is the destination.
Acknowledgements
This article wouldn't have been possible without the help of my spiritual teacher Thupthen Phuntshok.