Life is a complex journey, often marked by moments of loss and rediscovery. Sometimes, we find ourselves wandering down unfamiliar paths, desperately searching for that version of ourselves that once felt solid and grounded. But the truth is, we don’t always find ourselves where we were lost. Sometimes, loss isn’t just a passing experience but a turning point—a transition to a new stage of our existence.
It’s easy to overlook our own suffering, to close our eyes to the truth within us, and sink deeper into the mire of our inner conflicts. When we lose ourselves, we often look for solutions in places where they don’t exist, insisting on returning to the very places where we were hurt, thinking that healing lies there. But sometimes, that return only deepens the wound, pulling us further away from who we are—or, more accurately, from who we have the potential to become.
The painful reality is that, to truly find ourselves, sometimes we don’t need to look back, but instead, we must push forward into the unknown. Perhaps a new “self” — one born from defeat and surrender, but also from hope and courage — is what we need to move on. The old self, the one that endured the suffering and the loss, can no longer lead us toward the light. It has fulfilled its role. And while leaving that self behind may feel like a kind of defeat, it is, in fact, the first step toward a new life.
It takes courage to accept that life doesn’t always come in balanced doses. Sometimes, we lack something and must learn to live without it. Other times, we are overwhelmed by too much: too many emotions, too many burdens, too many responsibilities. Life pushes us to constantly adapt, to find balance in a chaotic universe.
And yes, sometimes we fall. We descend into the darkest depths of our being, thinking we might never have the strength to rise again. But it’s in those moments that we realize normality is not about being constant—it’s about our ability to rise, again and again. Every fall is an opportunity to stand back up with a new perspective, stronger and better prepared for what lies ahead.
When we think about leaving and returning, we must understand that leaving is not always an escape; sometimes, it’s absolutely necessary to find ourselves again. Leaving somewhere—whether it’s a physical place, a relationship, or a mental state—can be the first step toward a more authentic self. Returning, on the other hand, is merely a choice. It shouldn’t be seen as an obligation or a predetermined path.
The journey of life teaches us that there is no one “right” way. Losing ourselves can be painful, but it is not the end. It’s just another chapter in our story. Sometimes, we won’t find ourselves where we were lost, but that doesn’t mean we won’t find ourselves at all. Perhaps, at the end of this journey, we will discover a version of ourselves we never knew—a version that is exactly what we need to continue forward.