We all know what an ideal fit feels like. It’s like when we discover a shoe that is the perfect size and shape, a band who’ve never released a track we don’t love, or a place that just feels like home.

As we travel through life, many of us get a sense of ‘not fitting’ where we are or ‘not belonging’ with the people we associate with. It might feel like we’re a little outside of life, peering in at an existence that just doesn’t tally with who we are.

If you’ve ever experienced a sense of not fitting in or not belonging, you may have assumed that it’s just you and that everyone else is perfectly happy getting on with their lives ‒ and that can leave you feeling even more isolated and alone.

But the chances are, you’re not the only one who feels like this ‒ and there’s absolutely nothing wrong with experiencing this sort of feeling or asking yourself “Where do I belong?”

Signs of unease or discomfort don’t mean there is anything wrong with you ‒ they are just a signal that you may need to make some changes in your life. And that can take a little exploring.

Just think how large the world is. What are the chances that you were born in the perfect country to fit your personality, or around other people who understand you, comfort you, and help you grow? What you are looking for could be right across the other side of the planet, or might even be accessed by associating with different people or living a different lifestyle in your current location.

We all have a ‘tribe’ of people who are the perfect fit for us, and we all have a place and a lifestyle that will feel like they are the right ones. If you’re feeling that lack of belonging, it may be that you just haven’t found them yet.

There are all sorts of options to explore, from travelling to find your perfect corner of the world, to meeting new people, to changing your job, to joining in with new activities and clubs, to doing a little inner work to remove the barriers that stop you fully loving your life.

Somewhere in the great wide world, there will be a place, some people, a mind-set, and a lifestyle that’s perfect for you. Don’t fret if you haven’t found it. It’s time to have an adventure and see where your little slice of paradise lies.

And while you’re still searching, it may be useful to read How to Be Happy Being Different, so you can still be yourself and enjoy life even if you feel like you don’t quite fit in where you are now.