DREIESKIVA​|Roald Kvam

A new chapter in life doesn’t begin with a detailed plan—it starts with a deep breath and an honest look inward. Before you set out in a new direction, you need a compass. Not one calibrated by others’ expectations, old habits, or external goals—but one aligned with your values. Your inner compass.

In times of chaos, crisis, or upheaval, it’s easy to lose your way. You might become so focused on moving forward that you forget to ask yourself: Where do I really want to go? And why?

Working with your values is like setting a new course—one based on what genuinely matters to you. Not what you “should” do, not what you’ve always done, but what brings you energy, peace, meaning—and a sense of being true to yourself.

What really matters to you?

The first step in finding your new compass is to pause and feel: What truly matters to me?

Not what society, family, or old patterns have taught you should matter. But what actually touches you—what makes your heart beat a little stronger, what sparks that inner light, or brings a deep calm in your chest.

Is it freedom? Presence? Connection? Joy of creating? Honesty? Silence? Community?

When you put words to your core values, something shifts. You gain language for what was once a vague longing. You create a filter you can use daily to make choices, to say yes and no, and to build a life that feels meaningful.

What energizes you—and what drains you?

The next question is just as important: What gives you energy?

Living by your values is not just about beliefs; it’s about what you actually feel is right. Your body is a crucial compass needle here. It knows when you’re living authentically—and when you’re compromising.

Reflect on these:

• When do you feel light and alive?
• When do you lose yourself—and why?
• Which people, situations, or activities refill your energy?
• Which roles or routines wear you down?

Becoming aware of what energizes and what drains you is part of adjusting your course. It’s not necessarily about big changes but small shifts in how you spend your time, who you surround yourself with, and what you prioritize.

Living more in alignment with your inner compass

When your values are clear, you can begin to navigate by them. This doesn’t mean everything becomes easy or that challenges disappear. But it means you have a direction. And with direction comes a new sense of security—an anchor that isn’t dependent on external approval.

Living according to your inner compass might look like this:

• Saying no, even when it feels uncomfortable, because you know what matters most to you.
• Taking breaks, even when you feel you “should” be productive, because you value peace and balance.
• Prioritizing relationships that offer genuine connection rather than those that drain you.
• Choosing work, activities, and a lifestyle that nourish your identity—not just fill your calendar.

A compass doesn’t give you all the answers. But it helps you know where you stand—and which way feels true.

A vision exercise to open new perspectives

To anchor your values and connect with the future you want to move toward, try this gentle, guided reflection—not a pressured “What do you want to be?” task, but an invitation:

• What does a life aligned with your values look like?
• How does it feel to wake up in that version of your day?
• What are you doing? How do you feel? Who is around you?
• What have you let go of—and what have you brought home?

This visualization may not offer quick answers but invites you to see. See what’s possible. See yourself in a new light. Begin to sense the outlines of a life that is truly yours.

The compass you can always return to

Life will always be in motion. You will face new challenges, choices, transitions. But when you know your values, you have something to come back to. Something that reminds you who you are—and what you stand for.

Your values can be your anchor in the storm. Your guiding thread in doubt. The spark that ignites hope and courage—even after tough times.

Your new compass is not made to impress anyone.
It’s not designed to fit in.
It’s yours. Your language. Your vision. Your path.

When you begin to listen to that compass, navigating becomes easier.
Not because you have fewer choices—
but because you have less doubt.

You know what’s true. You feel what’s right.
And you dare to walk that path—step by step—with trust that the answers live within you.

Always.