Redirecting Your Life When You’re Drifting
Have you ever felt like life is happening to you, not for you?
That somehow, despite your efforts, you’re drifting off course and far from the version of life you once imagined. You’re not alone. Many of us reach a point where we pause, look around, and wonder: is this really where I meant to be going?
But what if the issue isn’t that you’re lost, but that you’re not steering your path using your own compass?
Borrowing the understanding from the Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) framework, one powerful redirection towards your values will help you get to where you want to go. ACT is a psychological approach that many professionals use, including myself in my practice, that offers a fresh way to get unstuck. It’s not about erasing discomfort or forcing positivity, but by helping you move toward the goals that are important to you.
Read previous article on Living a Values-Driven Life here
The Self-Discovery Journal helps you reconnect with your values.
First, Define the Destination
Your values define what matters most to you. The deep, heart-aligned qualities that you want to embody and express in life. Values are more than just your goals and achievements, but rather how and why you began your journey in the first place.
Start by reflecting:
What kind of person do you want to be?
What really matters to you in relationships, work, growth, or life in general?
If you zoomed out to the end of your life, how would you want to be remembered?
You may discover that your desired destination isn’t a specific job, title, or lifestyle, but taher a life filled with creativity, honesty, presence, or the service you give.
When you’re clear on your values, you gain a powerful internal compass. Even when life takes you through an unexpected detour, you don’t get lost but your destination becomes clearer.
The Self-Discovery Journal turns reflection into intentional actions, bringing your values to life.
Accept and Commit to the Journey
Redirecting your life doesn’t mean waiting until everything feels perfect. In ACT, discomfort, doubts, and fears are normal parts of living a meaningful life. It is a waste of energy to try to eliminate them. Instead, try to practice acceptance by making space for uncomfortable thoughts and feelings without letting them control you. Your thoughts and feelings are like waves that come and will eventually go away. You can choose to observe them as they come, or be drowned in it.
Better yet, you can take a more committed action, small and doable steps that align with your values. You might think to yourself “I can’t” or “What if it doesn’t work?”. But your values are your anchor. With acceptance of the fact that it may or may not work out well from the get go, it frees you from the need to be perfect.
The Self-Discovery Journal helps you come back to yourself.
Make Micro-Shifts, Not Massive Changes
A redirection doesn’t always look like a dramatic makeover to your life. It can start with subtle, intentional shifts.
What looks like small things you may not realise are powerful in shifting your life:
Saying “no” to something that doesn’t align with your values.
Choosing to be present at the dinner table instead of distracted by your phone.
Reaching out to reconnect with someone who matters to you.
Spending ten minutes today doing something that nourishes your soul.
Every small action you’re doing with commitment becomes a step towards the life you want to live.
This isn’t about becoming someone else. It’s about becoming more you. Start the journey with The Self-Discovery Journal.
Keep Re-orienting, Your Life is Not A Project, It’s a Practice
Just like a compass doesn’t give you the entire map, your values won’t predict every twist in the road. But they will keep you oriented. When you feel stuck or off-track, return to your values and ask: what’s one step you can take today in this direction?
The point is not to arrive at the most perfect life. The point is to live a meaningful one, on purpose and with purpose.
Redirection isn’t failure. It’s courageous. And it’s never too late to make changes in your life. It all starts with reconnecting with what is important to you, and taking one small step forward. This is your life and you’re allowed to choose where it’s headed.
About Our Author
Yanitrasari Widyastuti is a mental health therapist and wellness consultant with a background in psychology and counselling, dedicated to empowering others on their journey to well-being. She believes in the power of empathy to inspire self-discovery and growth. Based in Jakarta, Indonesia, she begins her day with a morning walk to her favorite spot for coffee, embracing small rituals that ground her in the present.
