I have spent ten years in the wilderness, and until this perspective shift, all I could think about was how much time I had wasted and how many connections and opportunities I had lost during my wilderness season.

While there is truth to this, I also gained grit, resilience, confidence, and confirmation that my world was never meant to be constricted. The wilderness was a season of development and training. I was never meant to stay there.

As I have moved out of my wilderness season, a question remains: Did I miss my chance to have a rich and fulfilling life?

If you asked me last year, then I would have said yes.

If you ask me now, I would say no because I am right on time.

Curiosity + Learning + Right Timing = Alignment

“And if you’re an adult, stop believing you missed your chance.” The data says long-term excellence comes from staying curious. The path to excellence isn’t a race to the front. – James Clear

One of the pieces I would give to my younger self is to let go of self-imposed timelines and deadlines. Many of us race to meet self-imposed deadlines and check off boxes only to end up realizing those weren’t the right boxes for our lives, or realizing we are not mature enough to nurture and maintain all the things that we rushed to get. The timing wasn’t right, so we have to learn not to rush ahead and let growth and development unfold.

I would not be prepared for this next era of my life without the wilderness season. The grit, resilience, confidence, and knowledge of who I am authentically will be essential for the next season.

I did a five-day fast at the beginning of the year, and I told God I wasn’t asking for anything because I don’t need it. I need wisdom to nurture and maintain these things.

The path to excellence isn’t a race to the front; it’s a willingness to keep learning long after others stop. – James Clear, author of Atomic Habits

I’m in the midst of a career transition, and while I am uncertain what my new career will look like, I have committed to learning about topics that have sparked my curiosity. I am taking courses in Project Management, Public Relations Writing, Copyediting, and the role of Artificial Intelligence in Communications.

Part of my energy shift is being open and comfortable with uncertainty. I do not believe you can call yourself a real person of faith and not be open to uncertainty. As a Christian, I often believe that what we’re curious about is prompted by the Spirit living in us, we learn, and trust God for the timing. This aligns us with God’s will and brings him Glory through our lives.

This season, I am curious about several areas, both professionally and personally. I am learning new things and trusting in the timing. I believe I am in alignment with my authentic self, not shrinking or conforming to who I think I should be or other people’s expectations, and that will lead to the right opportunities.

Sometimes I think about how my Lyft Driver dropped me off at the wrong venue when I went to see the George Michael tribute show. I got out of the wrong line with five minutes until showtime and ran to the right theater. I was in my seat about three minutes before the curtain went up.

I may not have gotten to the show at the time I wanted, but I wasn’t late

I didn’t miss one moment of the show.

I haven’t missed one moment of my life either.

I won’t stop being curious

I won’t stop learning

I haven’t missed my chance

Commit to curiosity, learning, and allowing life to unfold without rushing or conforming to others’ expectations.  You may find you haven’t missed your chance either.