2 Reasons Why People Lose Direction in Life

"It's normal to go through phases of deep uncertainty. It could be about your path, your purpose, and even your sense of self. That said, it's important to remember that there's no deadline by which you're supposed to have it all figured out, even if the world around you often makes it feel that way. It's possible to feel you have found clarity at 22, then question everything at 29, and feel lost at 40, then rediscover something new about yourself at 41."

"While these periods of uncertainty are natural, there are also certain patterns that can make them more confusing or longer than they need to be. This might lead you to circle around the same questions over and over, such as why you haven't been able to figure out what you want or why you feel so disconnected from yourself. Here are two reasons why people often feel lost in life, based on research. 1. You Confuse External Expectations for Inner Clarity On the surface,"

Phases of deep uncertainty about path, purpose, and sense of self are normal and can recur at different life stages. Such periods can be prolonged when external expectations from parents, teachers, or culture are mistaken for inner clarity. Choices influenced by others often feel like personal decisions because those influences are deeply woven into identity. Goals discovered through genuine self-exploration align more closely with authentic values and tend to be more fulfilling and sustainable. Recognizing and disentangling environmental influences from true desires helps reduce repeated circling around the same existential questions. Classic research by James E. Marcia provides insight into identity development.

Read at Psychology Today