December 2nd, 2024

Why I’m Busy Leaving Trails Instead of Following Paths

Hey friends,

Let me tell you about this quote I’ve been sitting with lately. It’s by Ralph Waldo Emerson (fancy name, right?), and it goes like this:

“Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.”

Now, I’ll admit, at first, I thought, "Okay, cool. Very ‘main character energy.’" But the more I thought about it, the more it got me questioning… am I really carving my own path, or am I just walking where I think I’m “supposed” to go?

Spoiler alert: sometimes I’m totally following someone else’s trail, hoping it leads to what I want. - HEHEHE.

But here’s the thing: the best moments in my life? They’ve come from the times I ditched the “safe” or “normal” path and did something completely different. Like deciding to move to Brazil with my dogs. Who does that? Me, apparently. And you know what? It feels scary, messy, and completely right.

Here’s where it gets fun, though. Leaving a trail means you get to figure stuff out as you go. There’s no map, no “right way.” It’s like life says, “Here’s a machete—good luck!” And you’re just hacking your way through the jungle of uncertainty.

For me, that jungle looks like trying to build a life that makes me feel alive. I want something that pays the bills (yes, I see you, rent), but also lets me travel, learn, and grow. Something that feels like me. The system we live in wasn’t designed for that kind of freedom, so yeah—it feels like I’m bushwhacking most of the time.

But here’s the fun part: when you’re making your own trail, you can get creative. Want to turn left? Go for it. Want to climb a tree instead of walking around it? Why not? And the best part is, when you look back, you can see this wild, zigzagging path that’s yours.

But let’s get real—trailblazing isn’t glamorous all the time. Sometimes you trip. Sometimes you end up in circles, frustrated and asking, “Why didn’t I just take the normal path like everyone else?” But those moments? That’s where the magic happens. That’s where you learn about yourself, about what you’re capable of, and about what really matters.

So, if you’re out there, wondering whether to stay on the paved road or to take that wild detour your gut’s been whispering about—this is your sign. Go for it. Hack through the brush. Get lost a little. Leave a trail that’s messy and wild and uniquely yours.

What kind of trail are you leaving? Is there something you’ve been scared to try but can’t stop thinking about? I’d love to hear about it—drop a comment or message me. Let’s swap stories, because I guarantee you’re not the only one figuring this out as you go.

Thanks for being here with me, and thanks for being the kind of person who’s brave enough to even think about leaving their own trail.

Until next time,
Marjoly 🌿