Dead Ends

Recently, I was talking with a good friend who shared about an event in his life that brought him to a crossroads. It was the kind of moment where you pause and ask yourself: If I go down this road, what will it lead to? If I choose the other, where will I end up?

These questions matter because what we choose can shape our lives in very real ways.

So, my friend and I talked about dead ends. No one wants to take a wrong turn while already feeling lost, only to realize there’s nowhere left to go. A dead end can feel discouraging and heavy. It can stir up fear, regret, and the unsettling sense of being stuck. When that happens, hopelessness creeps in.

This is where talking with a trusted friend, family member, mentor, counselor, or therapist can be incredibly helpful. Processing these moments out loud allows us to slow down, organize our thoughts, and gain perspective.

Sometimes we simply need someone else to help us understand what we’re feeling, challenge our blind spots, or simply sit with us while we sort through the weight of the decision we need to make. That's what my conversation was like with my friend, and I know it made a difference to him.

Self-awareness is also important. When we take time to reflect and check in with ourselves - and we are truly honest with ourselves, we’re more likely to recognize dead ends before we fully go down that road.

Awareness doesn’t guarantee easy choices, but it does help us make intentional ones. While there’s nothing to gain from staying at a dead end, there is growth, clarity, and hope in pausing, seeking support, and choosing a path that leads forward.