News and Stories from Take Shape

From the moment we enter the world, we’re taught to colour inside the lines. Follow the rules, stick to the path, don’t stray too far. Society gives us a framework to live within, always encouraging us to go to school, get a job, be productive, and generally stay in line. And while there are benefits to this system, it can also limit us.

We are expected to grow in controlled ways, much like a bonsai tree is pruned, shaped, and maintained for aesthetic perfection. But at what cost? What if the endless trimming of our wild edges is holding us back?

When we hear the word adventure, we often picture epic journeys involving summiting mountains, hacking through jungles, or diving into the unknown. We associate adventure with intrepid explorers and Hollywood heroes, risking it all in pursuit of something greater. But adventure isn’t just about the big, dramatic moments that may or may not feature a Hemsworth brother. Life itself is an adventure.

From the moment we wake up to the moment we go to sleep, we are measuring ourselves. Steps taken, calories burned, hours slept, heart rate, productivity levels, all things made possible by recent technology. But is it worth it? Somewhere along the way, our worth became tied to how many tasks we could tick off our to-do lists, how efficiently we could optimise ourselves, and how much closer we got to some arbitrary milestone.

And sure, structure has its benefits. It keeps society functioning, helps us set goals, and ensures that we move forward. But what happens when the structure starts controlling us rather than supporting us?

If there’s one thing our culture loves to do, it’s glorify busyness. It’s all about the hustle, the grind, performing, achieving—until we hit a wall. Burnout sneaks up on us, and suddenly, we feel disengaged, exhausted, and flat. Then, the “solutions” that our culture gives us aren’t truly helpful, making us more likely to fall into that sneaky burnout yet again. It’s not about taking a break so you can dive back into the chaos. The real answer is micropauses: small but powerful disruptions that help you realign, reset, and move forward with purpose.

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.

ever noticed how often we say “sorry” throughout the day? Sorry for being late. Sorry for the delay. Sorry for the mistake. Sorry for the inconvenience.

It’s a reflex, one that many of us use without thinking. While apologising is important and necessary in certain situations, overusing “sorry” can unintentionally place us in a cycle of guilt and self-doubt. It can make us feel like we’re constantly in the wrong, even when no real harm has been done.