You Don’t Need A Map

Somewhere along the way, we were told that strategy mattered more than sincerity.

That we needed to grow our reach, optimize our funnels, fine-tune our content calendars.

But I’m learning (again and again): real connection doesn’t come from scaling.

It comes from showing up—wholeheartedly, imperfectly, sometimes just for a handful of people.

Like when I shared Of Chronic Pain and the Healing Effect of Art—the post I almost didn’t publish—and received messages from people who felt seen in their own struggles.

It didn’t go viral. But it reached the right hearts. And that was enough.

Like slipping a secret invitation to a never-before-shared process videointo the bottom of a newsletter, just to see who’s paying attention.

Like mailing 236 tiny handmade tokens to strangers who became something more than “followers.”

Sometimes it’s as simple as opening an old journal and realizing your 21-year-old self already knew: this is the way—away from the chaos, the noise, the struggle to “be known.”

The world tells us to chase the bear—bigger audiences, better metrics, faster growth.

But what if the magic is in turning around?Meeting the bear. Naming it. Offering it tea.

Lately, I’ve been noticing how the things that matter most—writing, making, trusting—don’t need applause.

They just need presence.

You don’t need a map. You need a compass.

And if you’re still here, still creating, still listening for the quieter truths—you’re not behind.

You’re right on time.