Narrow paths

Not every journey is grand at the start. Some begin in shadows. In silence. In alleys no one notices.

I took this photo on a quiet walk, tucked behind a row of high-rises. At first glance, it's just another service lane — cluttered, grey, industrial. But look closely, and you’ll see light at the end. A soft glow. A way through.

This made me think about the people I coach — and the stories they carry. So many of us begin from tight places. A career crossroads. An unexpected loss. A hard pause between one version of ourselves and the next.

Behavioral science teaches us that hope and persistence are not traits — they’re learned responses. Hope Theory reminds us that hope comes from two things: the belief that a path exists and the agency to walk it.

Sometimes that path is obvious. Sometimes it’s narrow, winding, and dimly lit.

But here’s the thing: You don’t need a perfect route. You just need a next step.

🔁 Why We Struggle in Tight Spaces

When we feel boxed in, our brain narrows its field of view — literally and cognitively. This is known as attentional narrowing. We stop noticing alternatives. Our focus locks onto what's hard, and we miss what's still possible.

But if we pause…Breathe…And take one small action — we activate cognitive reappraisal, a process that helps us reframe challenge into opportunity. And we start to see the path that was there all along.

💡 Coaching Reflection Prompt

• Where in your life right now feels like a narrow alley?

• What’s one step you could take that affirms: “There’s light ahead”?

• Who or what reminds you that you’ve made it through tight places before?

Even narrow paths can lead to bright places.

So if your journey feels unglamorous or stuck — keep walking.

The light doesn’t always show up first. But it’s there. Waiting.