Walking the Unicursal Path

Daily News for Curious Minds

Be the smartest person in the room by reading 1440! Dive into 1440, where 4 million Americans find their daily, fact-based news fix. We navigate through 100+ sources to deliver a comprehensive roundup from every corner of the internet – politics, global events, business, and culture, all in a quick, 5-minute newsletter. It's completely free and devoid of bias or political influence, ensuring you get the facts straight. Subscribe to 1440 today.

Sign up now!

Welcome to Creatives Anonymous, a weekly newsletter that explores what it means to be a modern-day creative through essays, interviews, and commentary.

Was this email forwarded to you? Subscribe here.

I first came across the idea of the unicursal path in Emily Henry’s latest book, Great Big Beautiful Life. 

A unicursal path is “a single path that can be traced from one point to another without retracing any part of the path and lifting the drawing implement. It’s a continuous line covering an entire shape or structure, commonly found in labyrinths, geometric patterns, and even some graphs. 

In the book, one of the characters describes the unicursal path as: 

“[On the unicursal path] There’s only one path in and out. It’s not quite the game of a maze. You can’t get lost. You just walk the path, and it won’t be the shortest way to get you where you’re going, but you’ll wind up in the center eventually.”

The unicursal path has one beginning and one end. Another way to look at it is that it is a continuous journey towards a single destination. We will always arrive at the same place regardless of how we get there. 

In other words, no matter how far we stray from something, we always find a way back towards the destiny that’s meant for us. 

But sometimes, we have to deviate to find our way back. We take jobs, live in places, and have experiences that help us realize where we’re meant to be. 

We chase down the dreams we thought we wanted, only to realize that they aren’t what we need, and that what we need is something entirely different. 

It’s only after we meet our heroes, cross items off our bucket list, and follow an urge that the rose-colored glasses come off, and we ask ourselves, “What’s next?”

Sometimes, it’s unclear what that is. Maybe it’s a change in profession or a change in location.  

The good news is that there are clues that hint us down the path we’re meant to travel—hobbies we loved, interests we had, places we’ve been. When we tap back into them (especially the older we get), we realize that the answer has been in front of us this entire time. We just need to let ourselves see it.

Our pride and ego will try hard to help us escape what’s meant for us. Only when we drop them and lean into what’s meant for us do we align ourselves with who we’re meant to be and the path we’re supposed to go down.

No matter how hard we resist, we can’t run from what’s meant for us. The unicursal path further confirms that. 

It’s hard not to be hard on ourselves, especially when we feel like wasting time on paths that lead to dead ends. 

That’s the thing—none of it is ever a waste. 

We have to scratch the itch so we don’t have any regrets. 

We’re drawn to the things we’re called to for a reason—because they’re supposed to be a part of our path. There’s something in that experience that we’re supposed to draw from, whether it’s a person we’re supposed to meet or a lesson we’re supposed to learn.    

I’ve been thinking about this idea a lot lately, especially regarding my career. 

Do I wish I could have done things differently? Absolutely. Do I wonder what the path would have looked like if I made different decisions? Sure. Do I regret anything? No.

Because all of it is a part of my story. Every experience. Every person I met. Every decision I made.  

It’s all divinely orchestrated to give me exactly what I needed in that given moment. If anything, it’s preparation for the next part of my journey. 

As they say, “what’s meant for you won’t get by you.” Because no matter how far you deviate from the path, something (whether a failure, epiphany, or otherwise) will always nudge you back on it.  

Creative Corner

• 🎞️ What I’m Consuming: We Were Liars on Amazon Prime. 10/10 recommend.

• 💡 What I’m Loving: This planner from The Dailee.

• 🎨 What I’m Working On: Launching Culture Slant 😉 

• 💭 Weekly Musing:

Thank you 💕

If you liked this newsletter, I’d love it if you could forward it to someone who you think would like it, too!

I’m so grateful for all of your support!

Alexa Phillips is a writer, brand strategist, and multi-passionate creative. She is the founder of Bright Eyes Creative, a Seattle-based consultancy and media company that helps founder-led consumer brands and creatives design brand experiences and media.

Where to find me:

• Learn more about my services 

• Listen to my recent podcast episodes