Have you ever felt like you were just going through the motions? Like life had become a never-ending cycle of to-do lists, responsibilities, and measuring up? You’re not necessarily unhappy, but you’re not exactly excited either. You’re somewhere in the middle, stuck in the “blah” zone. Maybe you’re feeling that way right now.
The truth is, many of us live in this space for far too long. We follow the plan, tick the boxes, stay in line, and tell ourselves this is just how life is. But deep down, we know something is missing. The good news? It doesn’t have to be this way. It is absolutely possible to go from surviving to thriving, but it requires a shift. Not a complete life overhaul or a reckless leap into the unknown, but a conscious decision to start living with intention, courage, and adventure.
How and why we get stuck “surviving”
How do we get to this point in the first place? From childhood, we’re taught to colour inside the lines, literally and metaphorically. Stay safe, follow the plan, and be productive. We chase security, structure, and certainty because it’s what we’ve been told will make us successful. We also live in a world where everything is measured, from our steps, calories, and productivity, to our sleep, hobbies, and achievements. While tracking progress can be motivating, it can also trap us.
For years, I let numbers define me. When I was running marathons and ultra-distance races, my pace, distance, and finish time dictated my self-worth. I loved the structure, the control, and the sense of accomplishment, but each race was just another step on the ladder, another goal post I needed to hit so I wouldn’t feel like I was falling behind. This same mindset crept into my career and personal life. I was climbing, striving, achieving, but was it actually what I wanted? Or was I just doing what I thought I was supposed to do?
We also tend to avoid discomfort as a blanket rule in life. We think we’re protecting ourselves by avoiding failure, uncertainty, and discomfort. But in doing so, we also avoid growth, excitement, and true fulfilment. For me, that realisation hit hard when I was injured and couldn’t run. I had built my identity around movement, goals, and progress, then all of it was taken away in an instant, and I felt completely lost. Then COVID hit. My business, my purpose, and my sense of self all collapsed at the same time. I was forced into stillness, and in that stillness, I finally asked myself, “Who am I without all of this? What do I really want?”
Thriving starts with a mindset shift
Going from surviving to thriving doesn’t mean quitting your job, selling your belongings, and moving to the mountains (though, hey, if that’s your dream, go for it!). It starts with small, intentional shifts or micro-adventures, if you will. These are the sliding door moments, the small decisions that, over time, redefine your path.
Redefine what success means to you. Stop measuring your worth by numbers, achievements, or how much you tick off a list. Instead, ask: What makes me feel alive? What am I doing when I lose track of time? When have I felt the most proud of myself not because of external validation, but because of how I showed up? Start setting goals that actually align with who you are, not just what society expects of you.
Embrace the adventure mindset. You don’t have to summit mountains or skydive out of planes to embrace adventure. Adventure is a mindset formed from a willingness to try, to fail, to learn, and to grow. Say yes to something that scares and excites you. Change your routine by taking a new path to work, trying a different hobby, or starting a conversation with someone new. Take one small step toward something you’ve been avoiding. Adventure isn’t always about the big leaps. Sometimes, it’s the small, brave choices that change everything.
Let go of the illusion of control. I spent years believing that if I could just track everything, I’d be in control of my life. But control is an illusion. Life will throw you curveballs like injuries, pandemics, job losses, unexpected challenges… just to name a few! Instead of resisting, lean in. Growth doesn’t happen in perfect conditions. It happens in the messy, uncomfortable middle, the brave zone where you stop fighting change and start adapting to it.
Find connections in challenging times. Think about moments in your life when you’ve formed deep, real connections with others. Was it in times of ease and comfort? Or was it in the struggle, the uncertainty, the shared challenge? In my years leading hikes, I noticed that the real bonds weren’t made at the summit, they were made in the hard climbs, the moments of encouragement and trust, and the moments of communal persistence. The same applies to life. Thriving doesn’t mean doing it alone, it means embracing the journey with those around you.
Pause and reassess your path to thriving. If you’re feeling stuck, it might be because you’re following a map you didn’t consciously choose. Maybe the path you’re on was laid out for you by society, family expectations, or old versions of yourself. But it’s never too late to change direction. Ask yourself: Am I climbing the right mountain? Do I actually want the destination I’m heading toward? If not, what small step can I take to realign? You don’t have to do “more” for thriving, you just have to do what matters.
Going from surviving to thriving doesn’t happen overnight. It’s a series of small, intentional choices. Say yes to one new thing this week. Let go of one number that doesn’t define you. Step outside your comfort zone in one small way. Because in the end, life isn’t meant to be just “okay”. It’s meant to be full of moments that make you feel alive. And that shift? That’s where the real adventure begins.
