“Not all those who wander are lost.” — J. R. R. Tolkien
Looking back, you probably wouldn’t have planned your life this way—who would?
But here you are, navigating through curiosity and unexpected turns instead of sticking to the traditional script. As a grokkist, you know that the winding road has always been part of your journey.
You might have been told this makes you disorganised or that you’re a dreamer, lacking focus. But what if that openness wasn’t a flaw? What if it was a strength you’ve been using all along without realising it?
This is where coddiwompling comes in.
Coddiwompling is traveling with purpose toward a vague destination. It’s about moving forward with intention, without needing to see the full map ahead.
Coddiwompling is about moving forward with intention, without needing to see the full map ahead.
Think of it like breathing—you don’t control every breath, you just allow it: in, out—a natural rhythm of effort and release.
You’ve probably been coddiwompling without knowing it.
The most meaningful things—relationships, opportunities, insights—often don’t come from following a strict plan, but from leaving space for the unexpected. Coddiwompling invites you to embrace that openness and trust the process, knowing the path will reveal itself as you go.
For those who find safety in structure, loosening that grip can feel unsettling.
Predictability can feel like control, and structure can offer comfort in a chaotic world. But if your soul is longing for something more—if the predictability of the process feels stifling, even while you excel in it—coddiwompling might offer a new kind of freedom.
It’s not about abandoning the need for safety, but accepting an invitation to let go of fixed outcomes without losing your sense of direction.
Coddiwompling allows you to exhale into the unknown, inviting the world to surprise you and co-create your journey with you. You’re not wandering aimlessly—you’re embracing wonder, playfulness, and curiosity as companions on the road.
And this isn’t just a personal practice.
It’s an act of quiet resistance in a world that glorifies efficiency, speed, and certainty. Society often pressures us to have answers and outcomes in place before we even begin, but coddiwompling allows us to create a space for discovery, for depth, and for the kind of growth that can’t be planned.
Coddiwompling isn’t a detour from the path; it is the path.
Coddiwompling isn’t a detour from the path; it is the path.
It’s a joyful practice of discovering what’s possible when you let go of rigid expectations and allow yourself to dance with the unknown. It’s about creating a life that leaves room to be surprised, to find something even greater than you imagined.
So next time you come to a fork in the road, take it! Whichever direction feels right, just keep moving.
“As you start to walk on the way, the way appears.” — Rumi
When did things not go as planned but turned out better?
How does my relationship to uncertainty shape my decisions?
How can I embrace coddiwompling while still keeping the structure that feels safe?
How would I move forward if I trusted the path to unfold as I go?
Wandering with purpose
In this Still Curious episode, The Ungoogleable Michaelangelo shares how his winding creative path—full of detours, curiosity, and trust in the unknown—has shaped his life as an artist and performer. From refusing labels to embracing the unexpected, his journey perfectly captures the essence of coddiwompling: moving forward with purpose, even when the destination is unclear.
Danu Poyner
Explore further
For an example of coddiwompling in organisational practice, The Art of Cultivating Curiosity explores how curiosity and openness can transform community building. Rather than rigid structures, it shows how allowing exploration and inefficiency leads to deeper growth and connection. It’s a practical look at how coddiwompling can create space for discovery, not just individually but collectively.
Danu Poyner