Why I Like to Wander, Get Lost, and Then Journal About It.

Somewhere between the moment I stuffed my last suitcase into a Lyft car in San Diego and my first sip of a dirty chai at a café in Chicago, I realized something profound — I was never meant to sit still.

The universe—whether through fate, Taoist alignment, or sheer stubbornness—had set me on a nomadic path, one where motion itself became the teacher, and uncertainty was just another word for adventure.

You see, my life has been one long road trip of the soul, punctuated by surprise layovers, unexpected friendships, and the occasional existential crisis over a cup of tea in an unfamiliar city.

But through it all, I’ve learned that wandering is not just about changing locations—it’s about transforming perspectives. It’s about allowing life to unfold like the I Ching hexagrams, revealing wisdom in every twist and turn.

The Art of Getting Lost (On Purpose)

Most people fear uncertainty. They clutch onto routines like a toddler clings to a security blanket. They want the predictability of their favorite coffee shop, their neatly color-coded planners, their same old stories.

But what if I told you that the greatest creative breakthroughs, the most profound personal revelations, come from stepping into the unknown?

Some of my most memorable lessons in surrender come when I land in a city where I knew no one , and have only a vague idea of my surroundings.

Sure the temptation to panic can be strong—after all, my past self would have planned every detail. But instead, I took a breath, tapped into my inner Lao Tzu, and let the current carry me.

“Do you have the patience to wait till your mud settles and the water is clear?” the Tao Te Ching asks.

In those moments, I do. And by doing nothing, by resisting the urge to control, the most serendipitous connections fall into place—a stranger who became a friend, a conversation that led to a new writing opportunity, a street musician whose song perfectly matched the mood of my life at that exact moment.

This is the Tao of wandering: to allow, not force. To listen, not dictate. And trust me, this approach doesn’t just work in travel—it works in writing, in business, in life itself.

Creativity Thrives in Chaos

Why do I choose this wandering life? Because it forces my mind to remain open, sharp, and wildly creative. When you stay in one place too long, your thoughts become like stagnant water.

But throw yourself into new experiences—new cities, new conversations, new foods that make you question your life choices—and suddenly, your mind lights up like a fireworks display.

Nomadism is my secret weapon as a writer and thought leader. Every place I visit injects fresh energy into my work, forcing me to see the world through different lenses. When I’m in a new environment, my senses wake up.

I notice the way light hits the historic buildings along a street, the rhythm of voices in a café, the unspoken dance of a city’s pulse. And all of it—every single detail—finds its way into my writing.

If you feel stuck, if your ideas feel stale, you don’t need a new productivity hack. You need movement. You need to shake up your world, even if it’s just taking a different route home, talking to a stranger, or journaling in a park instead of your usual spot.

The Journal as a Compass

Speaking of journaling, let’s talk about a little alchemy. Writing things down doesn’t just capture thoughts—it transforms them.

Journaling is my grounding force, the way I make sense of this wild and unpredictable journey. And it’s why I’ve partnered with Zenit Journals to create a program that brings the art of wandering into the practice of self-reflection.

This isn’t just about keeping a diary. It’s about using journaling as a Taoist practice to move energy, gain clarity, and unlock the creativity that’s already inside you. It’s about aligning with your own inner current instead of fighting against it.

Through this program, you’ll get:

• One-on-One Mentorship: Personalized sessions to help you break through blocks and discover your unique path.

• Energetic Awakening Practices: Qigong-infused techniques that release stuck energy and bring fresh inspiration.

• Custom Journal Integration: A tailored journaling process that aligns with your personal goals.

• Mindful Reading: Monthly book selections designed to spark transformation.

This isn’t just a course—it’s a revolution in the way you approach life. A way to take everything I’ve learned from my years of nomadic wandering and apply it to your own journey, whether that’s creative, personal, or professional.

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The Invitation: Take the First Step

In the Tao Te Ching, Lao Tzu reminds us that “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.”

The hardest part is always the first move—the decision to let go of the familiar and step into something unknown. But once you do, the universe conspires to meet you where you are.

If you’re ready to shake things up, to inject fresh energy into your life, to see the world (and yourself) through a different lens, then I invite you to join me. This nomadic journaling program isn’t about escaping your life—it’s about transforming how you move through it.

Let’s get wild. Let’s get wacky. Let’s embrace the unpredictable, the strange, the poetic absurdity of existence.

Your next adventure starts here. Will you take the first step?

You can reach me at chocolatetaoist@proton.me.

Let’s begin.

Diamond