The Lost and Found Analogy: Finding Yourself ????

Losing a Valuable Item

If you've ever lost a valuable item, you will be more than familiar with the concept of lost & found.

When you first lose an item, you are initially left with a sense of panic.

We can all relate to the idea of checking our pockets for our phone only to realise that it's not there, which causes a sense of impending doom and panic.

Finding the Phone

When you are panicked, you can't quite think straight, and you often overlook the most obvious places where the item could be.

Sometimes you might even be holding the phone in your hand. A sense of panic, therefore, won’t get you far. Panicking only makes it harder for you to find the item and think rationally.

You have to really pause and think, and you must remain persistent so you can eventually find it. Approaching the situation with a sense of mindfulness.

If you lost the item in a public place, you might go in search of it and check with the lost and found department.

What Does This All Have to Do with Life?

When you feel lost in life, you can often experience a sense of panic and dread in the same way you do when you lose a valuable item.

Yet, it's important to remember that when you feel lost, you do have to search for the answers and figure things out in the same way you would persist in search of an item you have lost.

It's unlikely that you would just give up at first sight because, after all, you are looking for something which you value highly.

Although this can be a frustrating and time-consuming process, you cannot find yourself without searching for answers, in the same way you cannot find an item you have lost unless you make an effort to look for it.

When you do find the item, you suddenly feel a sense of relief, and you feel better about the situation. You become a bit more settled. In the same way, you can only really find yourself again through a process of trial & error (looking for the item), which leads to self-discovery.

What Happens If You Can't Find the Lost Item?

Sometimes you've searched really hard to find the item, and yet you still can't find it.

When this happens, it doesn't serve you to hold onto that specific item in a practical sense. You have to search for something new (an alternative item) which serves a similar function.

This doesn't mean all is lost. This just means you have to take a slightly different path to make things work. The same is true in life.

Take the example of following a map. The map might show you the way, but this doesn't guarantee you won't get lost or face some diversions along the way.

Moral: As human beings we can all get lost from time to time, yet we only really get back on track and discover who we are by searching for things and taking detours along the way.

What do you think? Share your thoughts with Curly’s Mind. If you want to understand your mind better to maximise your performance in day to day life why not book in for an session at Curly's Mind. We can help you maximise your potential, attain self-growth and live a more meaningful life using expert tools and frameworks backed by Psychology.

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Connect With Me - The Author

I am passionate about helping high performance individuals move towards their goals and overcome mental barriers along the way.

In addition to consulting and supporting athletes in my doctorate level training qualification as a Sport Psychologist, I extend my support, insights and advice to others in in the form of my own branch of consultancy at Curly's Mind. Curly's Mind helps empower your mind so you can live your best life & it is inspired by creative & unique insights.

If you are interested in connecting with me or want to understand yourself better I would be happy to share insights to help you understand how you can utilise psychology to live your best life.

Curly's Mind | Consultancy

I have consulted and worked with a range of individuals, sharing insights with individuals in positions of leadership and performance including coaches, personal trainers, physiotherapists, athletes, parents and students.

As a Sport and Exercise Psychologist in Training I have worked with upcoming athletes who have competed and taking part at various levels such as national sport. This includes athletes and coaches from St Andrews University Golf Club, Arsenal Community, Dundee Swim Club & Strathallan Rugby Academy amongst many more.

Sawan Kotecha,

Co-Founder at Curly's Mind