Feeling Lost in Your Work?

There was a time in my life when I thought alignment was just about finding the perfect flow.

I studied success strategies, watched how others built their businesses, and tried to replicate their results. I dove deep into personal growth. I started reading all the books, taking all the courses, doing everything I thought would lead me to the life I wanted.

I remember one night, after hours of reading about people who had seemingly “figured it all out,” I sat down with a journal and wrote, “What’s wrong with me?”

I had done everything right and followed all the steps, yet something was still off.

I’d put so much effort into creating content, building my brand, and trying to align with what others said worked. I thought if I just worked harder, got more strategic, and followed the blueprint, things would fall into place.

Instead, I felt like I was just going through the motions, like I was wearing a mask, pretending to be someone I wasn’t.

It wasn’t until I faced the truth of how much I was betraying myself in my quest for validation that I realized:

Alignment is earned through the decisions we make, not through perfect strategies or following someone else's path.

I had to learn the hard way that alignment wasn’t a passive experience.

It wasn’t about waiting for the stars to align; it was about taking active steps that were true to who I am, even when it felt uncomfortable.

And that’s where so many of us get stuck.

We think alignment means comfort, that it’s about finding flow and waiting for clarity to show up like some magical light bulb moment.

We tell ourselves that once we do enough “right” things, everything will click.

• We’ll feel aligned.

• We’ll feel like we’re living in our purpose.

But what I’ve come to realize is that alignment doesn’t work that way. It’s a byproduct of conscious decisions.

Decisions to be honest with ourselves, to take action, and to choose authenticity over approval.

The more we try to fit ourselves into molds created by others, the more misaligned we become.

I experienced this first-hand.

When I copy what works for others, I feel like I am just pretending.

Sure, I had some success, but it didn’t feel meaningful. It doesn’t feel true to me. I realized I had been filtering my truth to fit into what was “marketable,” and I lost sight of why I started in the first place.

And that’s the problem we’re facing:

The more we betray ourselves in pursuit of external validation, the more lost we feel.

It becomes harder to find that clarity we so desperately crave. We chase the next tactic, the next strategy, hoping it will give us that sense of alignment. But it’s always just out of reach.

So how do you shift from this cycle of frustration and misalignment?

How do you get out of that cycle of feeling like you’re always “working on it” but never truly getting there?

1. Stop outsourcing your voice.

One day, I had a realization: If I outsource my voice, I will never find my own. I had to start speaking my truth. Not the version I think others will accept, but the version that feels authentic, raw, and real.

I remember the first time I wrote a post that truly came from my heart. I felt vulnerable, unsure of how it would land, but I posted it anyway. The response was incredible. Not because it was perfect, but because it was real. It wasn’t polished or pre-packaged. It was just me, showing up as I am.

It was in May of 2021, a 10-15 minute IGTV post, after a meditation off the trail of the main trail in Crater Lake, Oregon.

That was the moment I realized: True alignment starts with speaking your truth, no matter how uncomfortable it may feel.

2. Track energy shifts.

If there’s one thing I’ve learned on this journey, it’s that energy doesn’t lie.

Your energy speaks louder than your words. So, I started paying attention to how I felt before and after certain tasks, interactions, and decisions. What drained me? What gave me energy?

For example, when I’d get in conversations with people who weren’t aligned with what I truly enjoy and am in alignment with, I’d feel exhausted and disconnected afterward.

But when I spoke to someone who was genuinely interested in my work and who resonated with my vision, I felt energized and connected.

Tracking these energy shifts became a game-changer for me. It helped me see where I was forcing things that weren’t aligned and where I was in flow. Once I understood this, I started making decisions based on energy.

When I felt drained, I asked myself why. When I felt energized, I leaned into it.

It isn’t about following the right steps or copying someone else’s strategy. It’s about tuning into my energy and aligning my actions with what feels right.

3. Question your habits.

Habits are powerful, but they can also be insidious.

A lot of what we do every day — the routines, the patterns, the ways we approach life — aren’t even ours.

They’re inherited from others, from societal expectations, or from what we think we “should” be doing.

I had to question my habits. Why did I quit working by 3 p.m.? Why did I feel obligated to respond to every message immediately? Why did I always push myself to “do more” even when it wasn’t necessary?

The more I examined my habits, the more I realized how many of them were based on external pressures. They weren’t aligned with who I truly am. So, I started to make small changes. I began setting boundaries with my time, prioritizing rest, and allowing myself to work in ways that felt more authentic.

The result? I feel lighter, more at ease. I’m not chasing productivity for the sake of it anymore. I am creating and working in a way that nourishes me.

4. Simplify.

When things feel forced, it’s a sign that something isn’t aligned.

During a particularly stressful period, I find myself overwhelmed with ideas, tasks, and obligations. Nothing feels right.

Strip away the excess (the tasks, the commitments, the unnecessary complexity). I focus only on what feels essential. I start cutting out things that are draining me and doubling down on what feels authentic.

And in that space of simplicity, I find clarity. My business begins to feel less like an obligation and more like an expression of who I truly am.

5. Prioritize truth over approval.

This is the hardest part, prioritizing your truth over approval.

For so long, I was obsessed with being liked. I thought if I could just get enough followers, enough praise, enough people to agree with me, then I’d feel successful.

But what I learned was this: the more I sought approval, the less I felt like myself. The more I tried to be what others wanted me to be, the more I lost touch with my truth.

So, I decided to stop. I stopped chasing likes, validation, and praise. I started focusing on what I wanted to say, what I needed to say, regardless of whether others agreed.

It was terrifying. But it was also liberating.

When you prioritize your truth over approval, you create space for people who resonate with your authenticity to show up.

And the right people, the ones who will support your vision, your values, and your purpose, will stay.

Alignment isn’t a destination; it’s a habit.

Each decision you make, each shift towards authenticity, brings you closer to the alignment you’re seeking.

It’s not easy. It’s often uncomfortable, but it’s the only path to a life that feels true, fulfilling, and meaningful.

If you feel stuck, start with one of these steps today. Begin tracking your energy, questioning your habits, and prioritizing your truth. You don’t need to wait for clarity to strike. Clarity comes through action. Start living in alignment now, and the path will reveal itself.

P.S.: If you’re ready to stop pretending and start living your truth, I can help. Through 1:1 consulting, I’ll guide you to uncover your authentic path and align your business with who you truly are. No more following the crowd. Let’s create a strategy that feels true to you.