A wandering path illustrates that even when you wander, you end up somewhere.

Top 3 Ways to Know that You’re Not Lost, You’re Just Wandering

March 21, 2025

I wasn’t always a solitary frog. There was a time when my world was full of company—laughter across the water, voices through the trees, nights spent swapping stories under the stars. Back then, I had a place, a rhythm, a certainty about things. But life, being what it is, has a way of shaking up even the most settled ponds.

When everything changed, I didn’t know what to do with myself. The world I knew had shifted, and I felt unmoored. So, I did what made the most sense at the time. I wandered. I didn’t have a plan, just a need to move. Some days, I’d follow the creek until the trees thinned out. Other days, I’d sit at a crossroads and let the wind decide. I wasn’t looking for anything in particular, and for the first time in my life, I wasn’t tied to any one place.

People talk about being lost like it’s a bad thing. Like you’re supposed to have a plan, a purpose, a clear destination. But I don’t see it that way. Wandering isn’t the same as being lost. Wandering is about moving for the sake of movement, exploring for the sake of discovery. It’s about giving yourself permission to not have all the answers.

If you’ve ever felt unmoored, unsure of what’s next, you’re not alone. Here are three ways to know that you’re not lost—you’re just wandering.

1. You’re moving even if you don’t know the destination.

Being lost feels like standing still, spinning in circles, unsure of which way to go. Wandering is different. Even if you don’t have a final destination, you’re still moving, still exploring, still learning. Sometimes, the best way to figure out where you’re supposed to be is to let yourself roam. New paths bring new perspectives. [Here’s an article on why exploration leads to discovery and growth.]

When I wandered, I wasn’t searching for where I’d been—I was making peace with where I was. The further I traveled, the more I understood. I wasn’t looking to replace what I’d lost. I was learning to live with it.

2. You’re learning as you go.

Wandering isn’t aimless. It’s paying attention. It’s finding things you wouldn’t have seen if you’d stuck to the same old path. Some of the best lessons come from moments when you’re not sure where you’re going, only that you’re going somewhere.

I’ve learned more from wandering than I ever did from staying in one place. I’ve learned how to listen, how to observe, how to let go of what doesn’t serve me. Not all who wander are lost. Some are just figuring things out at their own pace.

3. You’re finding peace in the unknown.

Eventually, my wandering led me back to my quiet little corner of the creek. And maybe that’s the trick of it. Sometimes, when you stop looking for a way back, you end up exactly where you need to be.

I still wander from time to time. Not because I’m lost, but because there’s always something new to see. The world is big, full of surprises, and sometimes the best way to find your way is to let go of the need to have one. So if you ever feel unmoored, don’t be afraid to wander. You’re not lost—you’re just exploring.

— Archie (Chief Philosopher)

P.S. And, if you need a reminder, well, I just so happen to know a graphic t-shirt that’ll do the trick. The t-shirt is from the “Front Porch Philosopher” series.