In a literal sense, a vessel is adrift when it is moving on the water but is not controlled by anyone due to mechanical failure or loss of moorings. Figuratively, a person becomes adrift when they lose their "True North" . This often happens after major life upheavals:
A serious diagnosis, such as cancer, can sever the anchors of health, financial stability, and future certainty. be adrift
To be adrift is often characterized by a "dragging lack of essence" and a loss of peace of mind. It feels like "trudging on with bated breath" through alien ground, waiting for a beam of light to reappear. Many describe it as a cold, empty sensation where one no longer understands who they are or where they are going. It is the "sinking boat" of the soul, where the horizon offers no landmarks for comfort. The Opportunity in the Current Unanchored: When Life Sets Us Adrift - CONQUER magazine In a literal sense, a vessel is adrift
