Wayfinding Through Midlife

From Forcing an Outcome to Discovering a Direction

This blog post was inspired by a deep and thoughtful Zoom call with members of the Like Hearted Leaders (LHL) community founded by Claire Perry-Louise. After sharing some initial thoughts on wayfinding during one of their creative breakfasts, I felt compelled to explore the topic further. I was especially moved by the reflections from Tash, Ann-Marie, and Grace, whose insights helped shape the ideas I’ll share here. Writing this post has helped me make sense of what I’ve learned and I hope it sparks new thoughts for others as well.

---

Midlife can feel like standing at a crossroads with no clear signposts, wondering which direction will lead to a more meaningful, fulfilling life. Many of us reach this point feeling drawn towards something new or pushed away from a life that no longer fits. This post explores the idea of "wayfinding"—a way of navigating life by combining action with an awareness of our feelings, using these as guides to refine and redefine our paths. It’s about trusting the process of moving forward, even when we don’t have all the answers, and letting how we feel guide our next steps.

Why Wayfinding Matters in Midlife

At midlife, many of us face major transitions—changing careers, reevaluating relationships, dealing with ageing, losing a loved one, or rethinking success. These shifts often bring uncertainty, and traditional goal-setting can feel rigid or misaligned with our evolving sense of self. Wayfinding offers an alternative: it’s less about forcing a specific outcome and more about discovering your authentic direction.

This is crucial because as we get older, the map we’ve been following—whether drawn by society, family, or our younger selves—might no longer work. What seemed right in our 20s or 30s can feel wrong by the time we reach midlife. Wayfinding allows us to explore new possibilities and adjust our course as we go. It teaches us to balance external demands with inner guidance—to act, feel, and refine.

How to Start Wayfinding: Act, Feel, Refine

Start by Taking Action

Wayfinding begins with doing. If you’re waiting for clarity before making a move, you might wait forever. Clarity often comes from taking action, not from thinking it through endlessly. If you’re feeling stuck or uncertain, try something new, even if it’s small. Take that course you’ve been considering, say yes to a different kind of project at work, or volunteer in a new area. By stepping off your usual path, you open yourself up to fresh experiences, which will offer valuable feedback about what excites you, drains you, and aligns with your values.

Tune Into Your Feelings

As you take action, your feelings act as the compass guiding you forward. But not all feelings are the same—discomfort can signal either growth or misalignment. The key is to reflect on how you feel during and after an experience. Is it the kind of discomfort that comes from stretching into something new, or is it a deeper sense that this isn’t the right path for you? By asking these questions, you refine your direction and make more informed decisions.

Ann-Marie shared an important insight during our conversation: she felt lonely during parts of her recent work trip, not because she missed home, but because she craved deeper intellectual connections with others. Identifying this helped her see that her future work needed to involve more creative and philosophical interactions, not just technical expertise. This is a key lesson in wayfinding—by tuning into how you feel, you can adjust your course towards what truly nourishes you.

Refine Your Path Without Overthinking

One of the greatest challenges at midlife is overthinking. We often want to plan every detail before we act, but life rarely works that way. The truth is, you don’t need to have it all figured out. Instead, be curious and willing to adjust as you go. Every experience offers a chance to learn and refine your path. You don’t need to force a rigid plan—just feel your way forward and let the journey unfold.

As Tash and Grace discussed, vulnerability is key here. Embracing this process means letting go of the need to control every outcome and accepting the uncertainty of the journey. It’s okay to not know exactly where you’re heading, as long as you trust your inner compass and keep moving forward.

The Courage to Discover Your Own Path

Finding the courage to wayfind comes from realising that it’s not about making the right decision from the start. It’s about making a decision, and then learning and adapting as you go. Each step you take offers valuable insights, and each feeling you experience provides a clue for the next step. And perhaps the best part? You don’t have to do this alone. Sharing your wayfinding journey with others can offer fresh perspectives and much-needed support, as I experienced during this Zoom call. Opening up to others allows you to see your own path more clearly.

So, if you find yourself at a crossroads in midlife, wondering what comes next, start by taking action. Act, feel, refine. Trust that answers will come as you step forward, and remember that you’re not searching for a final destination—you’re discovering the path that’s uniquely yours.

---

Rather than force an outcome, wayfinding teaches us to navigate midlife with curiosity and trust. It requires action, a willingness to listen to our feelings, and the courage to refine our path as we go. Though the journey can feel uncertain and vulnerable, it leads us to a life that feels more authentic, effortless, and aligned with who we are becoming. So, let go of rigid plans, take the first step, and see where the path takes you—you might just find the clarity and fulfilment you’ve been seeking.