There is Power in a Name

Welcome to the Wandering, Not Lost newsletter by Jiji Ugboma!

I believe that the name of a thing holds power, significance, and deep meaning and can be impactful in more ways than are obvious. Part of my reverence for the art of naming I believe comes from my Nigerian culture where our traditional names are not just one-word nouns. They are actually phrases and sentences that tell a story. My name in full means "Let's praise God" and my brother's name means "Blessings have come to me". And my best friend in primary school was the ninth child and first girl child in a family with eight boys, her name aptly translates to "I am satisfied with what has been given to me".

Some names are powerful and convey the message or evoke the reaction that was intended. Some names suck — but I’ll go easy on the people behind badly named things if I were you. It’s not an easy task. You might lose respect for me but I do think Sharknado is one of the most brilliantly named movies out there!

So, why am I going on and on about names? That's because I have restarted and renamed my newsletter! Technically, this newsletter never really had a name. Quarter-life crisis is what it is about - it’s a description and not a name. I knew that eventually, I would have to name it, but I didn’t want to rush the process. Plus the newsletter has been dormant for a while now because — life. I’m elated to bring you the newly reimagined newsletter…. Wandering, Not Lost. Does the name suck? Don’t tell me. 

The inspiration for the name Wandering, Not Lost came from a poem by Tolkien in his book The Fellowship of the Ring.

“All that is gold does not glitter,

Not all those who wander are lost;

The old that is strong does not wither,

Deep roots are not reached by the frost.

From the ashes, a fire shall be woken,

A light from the shadows shall spring;

Renewed shall be the blade that was broken,

The crownless again shall be king.”

( J.R.R. Tolkien)

The phrase "not all who wander are lost" is used colloquially, even a cliche. But it has always resonated with me on a deeper level. I believe in the temporariness of unpleasant situations, I believe in the usefulness and even need for chaos to find and bring to light that which is meaningful, grounded, and reflective of a person's journey. It has been my personal experience that life's highs, lows, and uncertainties have a purpose. Just because you haven't found your true self, calling, passion, purpose, identity, etc., does not mean you won't. Just because you are confused about your life doesn't mean that you will always be. Just because you wander, does not mean you are lost.

If you know someone — a friend, neighbor, child, student, mentee, or your favorite barista who seems to be wandering and wondering about their life, then share this newsletter with them. Maybe they are in their twenties or thirties and still feel misunderstood by the world, needing a career change struggling with friendships, seeking to understand themselves better, or just gently or turbulently navigating the chaos of life, then send them this newsletter. 

I’m not claiming that I can solve all these people's problems (that would make me a wannabe cult leader). However, I believe that sharing my perspectives, opinions, research, and candid advice that will equip my readers with the right knowledge, courage, and motivation to deal with the uncertainties of life as a young adult in today's world. 

Having gone through the grandmother of quarter-life crises myself, writing about these topics, has helped me make sense of turbulent experiences - I hope that with my candid conversations, opining, and perceptive sharing, you can start to feel better about this "wandering" stage of your life. 

For my old subscribers, everything remains the same, and if you’re a new subscriber, then you’re all caught up. Please visit the About Me page for a refresher on what this newsletter is about and who it’s for. I’ll be sending issues out bi-weekly.

I do ask that you move this to your main folder so you see it whenever it hits your inbox. It’s been a while since you heard from me so if you’re no longer interested in receiving my newsletter you can unsubscribe below. No hard feelings. Come back anytime.

Talk soon.

This newsletter is hosted on Substack. Subscribers will receive the newsletter directly to their inbox like any other newsletter. If you are on Substack you can also access the newsletter on the platform.