👋 Hi, I’m Irene!
Every Sunday at 9 AM EST, I share actionable tips on mindfulness, positivity, purposeful living, and holistic well-being. Join our community of like-minded people on a mission to live in a state of joy, purpose, and well-being.
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Hi everyone! Welcome back for another edition of A Joyful Life. How was your week?! I hope it was a great one.
As for me, this Saturday, my partner and I walked around Margaret Island to enjoy the beautiful weather.
I never knew what I wanted to do.
I’ve done waitressing. I’ve worked at the gym. I’ve been an aesthetician. I’ve taught ESL. I’ve done copywriting, content writing, and ghostwriting.
There are periods when I feel I’m on the right track. And then, there are periods where I feel I have no clue if I’m going the right way.
And sometimes, I feel like a failure. I turn 30 this year. I’m not married. I don’t have kids. I don’t have a house or car. I’m still figuring out my career. And I’m not making 6-figures.
But you know what? Lately, I’ve realized it’s okay to feel lost.
And if you’re feeling the same way, I’m here to tell you, you’re not alone. You’re not a failure. You’re going to be okay.
And here’s how to find your way again.
Find your way by disconnecting
Whenever I feel lost, I stop using social media for two reasons.
One, I don’t feel 'good' about myself after scrolling on Instagram, Twitter, or LinkedIn, especially when I’m already not feeling great about myself.
I get reminded I’m not 'enough' because I don’t have a six-pack. Because I’m not in the Maldives. Because I’m not making $30K/month. Because I don’t have a successful business.
So stepping away from social media helps protect my mental health.
Two, I want to turn inward. I want to listen to my inner voice, my intuition. So I can figure out what I want. What I value. And what is important to me.
I don’t want my mind filled with all the messages from people on social media pushing their beliefs, opinions, and values onto me about how I should live my life and what I should do.
The answers have to come from within.
Or else, you’re going to be so busy climbing that you never stop to check if you’re climbing up the right tree. And then years later, you’ll wonder why you’re unhappy and unfulfilled.
So give yourself space. Silence. Solitude. Give yourself the time to reflect. To build your self-awareness. And to figure out what it is you want and value.
You can do a digital detox. You can go on walks. You can journal.
The most important thing is to be alone so you can listen to your inner voice.
Find your way by slowing down
We live in a society where we want everything immediately.
Our food—That’s why we have services like Uber Eats and Food Panda. Our movies—That’s why we have Netflix. Our purchases—That’s why we have same-day deliveries. And answers—We want to know the solution to our problem right away.
When I first moved to Hungary in August 2021, I wasn’t sure if I wanted to continue to stay in Hungary or if I wanted to move back to Taiwan or Canada, where I grew up. I thought about it every day. But I still couldn’t figure out what I wanted.
Then, my mom said something to me. She said, “Why do you need an answer right away? Why do you need to make a decision immediately? If you don’t know what you want, why not wait, give yourself time, and see what happens?”
So that’s what I did. I stayed in Hungary and enjoyed my life here. Then, eventually, I met my boyfriend. And well, I’m still in Hungary.
So here’s what I’ve learned: You don’t need to see the whole staircase. You don’t need to rush to find an answer. Things unfold at their own pace. Solutions present themselves at the right time. So trust in that timing.
In the meantime, slow down. Take one step at a time. Be present. And appreciate where you are.
Find your way by exploring
I always experience the most growth after a period of feeling lost.
For example, in 2020, after my ex-boyfriend and I broke up, I had the choice to move back to Canada or stay in Taiwan.
Going back to Canada meant returning to what was safe and familiar. Staying in Taiwan meant stepping into the unknown—a new city, a new apartment, and a new job with no close family and friends around. And I wasn’t fluent in Mandarin.
What choice do you think I made?
If you said stay in Taiwan, then you were right. I chose to stay in Taiwan even though I felt terrified, lost, and had no idea what would happen next. Because I knew staying would challenge me the most. And that’s how I would grow and become stronger and better.
And you know what? I was right.
During that period of feeling lost, I learned to be independent. I learned to love solitude. I learned to build self-awareness. I experimented. I tried dance classes. I got eyelash extensions. I tried spray tanning. I filmed TikToks. I finished 4 courses in digital marketing. I got jobs on Upwork.
And ultimately, it’s how I got to where I am today—writing online.
So, try to change your perspective on feeling lost. Instead of thinking you’re a disappointment, a failure, or that your life is ‘over’, think of it as a blessing.
It’s a chance for you to figure out where you are and where you want to go. It’s a chance for you to explore and do things you’ve never done before.
Have you always wanted to build your own computer? Do it! Have you wanted to try rowing? Do it! Have you always wanted to take hip-hop lessons? Do it!!! These are all real-life examples of new activities my friends have done.
Who knows where you could end up? That’s part of the beauty of life, isn’t it?
So, feeling lost is the perfect time for you to experiment, explore, and figure out what you want.
Make your period of feeling lost a season of saying ‘yes’ to things you’ve never done before.
Final thoughts
You’re not a disappointment. You’re not a failure. And you’re not alone if you feel lost. Keep going. You’ll find your way.
How I’m building my happiness muscles
I built a 7-figure creator business and quit. Here’s why.—I loved Vanessa’s authenticity and vulnerability in this video.
I'm on my own again.—Matt’s story is similar to Vanessa’s. Both videos inspired me to reflect on my own life. Where I’m headed. And what truly brings me joy.
Chow chow's don't get enough attention; big balls of fluff!—This picture warms my heart! Sooo cute! 😭
Before you go
I hope you enjoyed reading today’s newsletter!
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Thank you so much for being here! 😊
I’ll see you next Sunday,
Irene