What If the Detour Is the Way?

We live in a culture that loves certainty. Clarity. Five-year plans. Milestones.

So when we’re not sure where we’re headed—whether it’s in our health, career, or creativity—we often panic, search harder, and try to force a direction that may not be ready to appear. I’ve done it. And I’ve seen others do it too—chasing clarity as if it’s a prize we win by working harder. How often has this happened that you work so hard to obtain something, yet all those efforts don't get you further ahead, and it only stresses you out? But when you finally say "F*%k It" and let go of the control, serendipitous things happen and it finds you in quiet, unexpected ways, when you were least expecting it.

Recently, I went through a confusing stretch with my health. Strange symptoms, unpredictable fatigue, and that sinking feeling that something wasn’t right—but no one could tell me what. I tried multiple doctors, ran countless labs and tests, and hit too many dead ends. Out of pure frustration, I turned to alternative therapies. One of them was craniosacral therapy—a gentle, body-based approach that I didn’t fully understand, but was open to trying.

The sessions were intense—more emotional than I expected—and while I felt temporary relief, I knew that this was not the answer in the long term, but in the moment, it was welcome relief. After the second session, the therapist kindly said, “I think your issues go deeper than this therapy can relieve, and you should reach out to a specific medical doctor instead. I believe they can help you.” And then she didn’t rebook me.

I’ll be honest—it stung a little. I had finally found something that offered even a sliver of relief, and I wasn’t sure what to make of being turned away. Even though I knew myself that this was only a tiny band-aid to what was going on, the old fears of "Was she giving up on me - and did I do something wrong?" returned.

But I took the advice, reached out to the doctor… and that step changed everything.

This specialist was able to pinpoint what others had missed. For the first time in a long time, I understood what was happening in my body and had a real path forward. All because I stayed open to something I didn’t expect, even if it hurt in the process, as I took the therapist's rejection personally, when she was genuinely trying to find an answer for me. Someone else had a better vantage point, even if I didn’t see it at the time. I am very grateful she did not continue to take my money, and she wanted to heal me, even when it meant she was losing a client.

I share this because it reminded me: the path rarely unfolds in a straight line. Sometimes, it feels like a detour. Sometimes, we’re gently (or abruptly) redirected. And that redirection may hold the very answer we’ve been searching for.

So instead of obsessing over finding the one right job, the one right goal, or the one right identity… what if we just stayed curious? What if we trusted the process, especially the uncomfortable, inconvenient, unpredictable parts?

Your “why” might not be loud or obvious. But if you keep showing up, asking better questions (like why do I want this, instead of what is my purpose), and allowing people and experiences to help shape your journey, even when they don’t go your way, you may be surprised where you end up.

The next step isn’t always clear, but it’s often enough.

Let that be your sign to trust where you are, even if you don’t know exactly where you're going.

#SerendipityInMotion #ProgressOverPerfection #ClarityComesWithTime #StopChasingStartLiving #TrustTheProcess #LifeUnfolding