Are you feeling restless, bored, or stuck?
Do you find yourself daydreaming about travel and new experiences?
Sounds to me like you’re ready for a new adventure or challenge.
Life is full of possibilities – whether it’s through travel, work, or a new hobby, getting out of your comfort zone and taking on new challenges can help you find fulfillment and purpose.
So, with that in mind, let’s take a look at 6 undeniable signs that you’re ready for a new adventure or challenge, so you can start taking your life to the next level.
Let’s jump right in:
1) You’re bored and restless
Hey, we’ve all been there.
When each day resembles the next, and when we keep doing the same thing over and over, it’s only natural that we’d start to feel bored and restless.
I’m not saying that every day needs to be an adventure or that we shouldn’t have stability and security in our lives, but we all need new experiences from time to time.
These experiences or “adventures” are there to help us recharge our batteries and feel “alive”. Once we do that, we can go back to the same old, same old, without feeling bored.
2) You’re stuck
If you’re feeling stagnant, like you’ve been in the same place forever and you’re just not moving on with your life – whether it be with your career or your personal life – then it’s time for a change.
When was the last time you challenged yourself? When was the last time you got out of your comfort zone?
If you want to be able to move forward, you need to shake things up a little bit.
Challenge yourself.
For example, if you’ve been in the same position at your job for ages now and there’s no possibility to move up the ladder, then you need to start looking at new jobs at new companies.
In short: If you want to get unstuck, you need to try something new and challenge yourself from time to time.
I’m not saying it’s gonna be easy, but it’s the only way to move forward.
3) You long for more
If you find yourself wondering, “Is this it? Is this all life has to offer?” I guarantee you that you’re not alone. In fact, I ask myself this same question every few years.
What that usually means is that I’m ready for an adventure or challenge.
Whether it’s picking up a few hobbies to change your daily routine, braving the dating world after being heartbroken, or going back to school with the goal of changing careers, it’s definitely time for something new!
4) You’re overwhelmed by wanderlust
Never have so many people felt wanderlust as they did during the pandemic. I mean, we spent so much time cooped up at home, afraid to get out, afraid to travel…
So, if you can’t stop thinking about getting away and discovering a new corner of the world, it’s a surefire sign that you’re ready for a new adventure or challenge!
Stop picturing yourself on an exotic beach somewhere and go be on an exotic beach somewhere.
Actually, I think I’m gonna book myself some plane tickets when I finish writing this article!
5) You feel unfulfilled
If you feel unfulfilled, it’s probably because you are unfulfilled. And as you’ve probably already guessed, it’s another undeniable sign that you’re ready for a new adventure or challenge.
It’s clear that you need something more from life to feel happy. Maybe you already know exactly what that something is, but maybe you have no idea.
That’s why I think it’s the perfect time to try out new experiences and get out of your comfort zone. It’s only by getting out there, having new experiences, and learning new things that you’ll be able to find fulfillment.
6) Your situation and priorities have changed
So, maybe a couple of years ago your priorities were to study, get your degree, and get a job to pay off your student loan. You didn’t really have the luxury of wanting anything else.
But things have changed. You’ve paid off your student loan, you’re free.
Now it’s time to ask yourself, “What do I want to do with my life?”
Maybe you want to go on an adventure to Mexico to save turtles. Or maybe you want to meet someone and start a family. Or, maybe, just maybe, you want to open up your own business!
Whatever it is, the fact that your situation and priorities have changed means that it’s time for something new.
Overcoming the fears and obstacles
Look, I know from first-hand experience that taking on a new adventure or challenge – while it can be exciting – can also be scary. A lot of the time that fear leads to procrastination.
Let’s take a look at some of these fears that could be holding you back as well as tips to overcome them:
Fear of the unknown
This is one of the most common fears that hold people back so don’t feel bad! I’ve certainly let it hold me back on more than one occasion.
The problem is that most of the time this fear isn’t founded in reality. We tend to let our thoughts spiral out of control and before we know it, we’ve got a worst-case scenario on our hands.
The likelihood of the unknown being something bad is probably 1 in 100 and yet we let it stop us from taking on a new adventure or challenge.
Sounds silly doesn’t it?
Here’s what I recommend: Do some research and gather some information on what you’re planning. Talk to people who have done it before, and read books and articles on the topic.
Knowing what to expect can help alleviate some of the fear of the unknown.
And then?
Just take the plunge. It’s worth the risk, trust me.
Fear of failure
Oh gosh, I’m no stranger to this fear either!
I know all too well how paralyzing fear of failure can be! The thing is that in order to overcome this fear, we need to acknowledge that failure is a natural part of learning and growth.
So, embrace the possibility of failure as an opportunity to learn and improve. After all, what is it they say? “It’s better to have tried and failed than to have never tried at all.”
Lack of confidence
Look, it’s normal to feel unsure of yourself when you’re trying something new. Just remember that confidence comes with experience.
Start small and build your way up.
Celebrate your successes, no matter how small they may seem, and use them as fuel to keep going.
How does that sound?
Time and financial constraints
Now, I know that time and financial constraints can be real obstacles, but they don’t necessarily have to prevent you from pursuing a new adventure or challenge.
When it comes to time, look for creative ways to fit new experiences into your busy schedule. Remember, even small steps can lead to big changes.
When it comes to finance, try to find ways to save money or make extra income. And if you’re still unable to go ahead with your adventure or challenge, try scaling down to something more affordable.
Resistance from others
Unfortunately, sometimes the people around us can be resistant to change or new experiences.
When that’s the case, just keep in mind that their opinions don’t define you or your choices.
And try to surround yourself with some supportive people who encourage and inspire you.
Finding the right adventure or challenge
Now, not all adventures or challenges are equally suited for everyone. What’s right for you might not be right for me and vice versa.
Here are some tips on finding the right adventure or challenge for you:
Consider your interests and passions
Start by asking yourself, “What do I love to do? What gets me excited?”
Then, look for adventures or challenges that align with your interests and passions and take it from there.
No sense pursuing something that doesn’t interest you, is there?
Think about your skills and strengths
What are you good at?
What skills do you have?
It’s a good idea to look for adventures or challenges that allow you to use your strengths and build upon your skills.
This will help you feel more confident and competent.
Challenge yourself, but be realistic
People often forget to set realistic goals for themselves and then feel bad when they can’t meet them.
So, while it’s important to challenge yourself, it’s also super important to be realistic about what you can handle.
Trust me, you don’t want to bite off more than you can chew. At the same time, you shouldn’t be afraid to get out of your comfort zone.
In short: Look for adventures or challenges that are a stretch but still achievable. Does that make sense?
Research and plan
Finally, once you have an idea of what you’re looking for, you should do your research and plan accordingly.
Find some literature on the subject – the great thing about living in the internet age is that there is so much information available online.
Also, try and find people who’ve done it before, and find out what their experience was like.
Then, go ahead and make a plan. Trust me, this will make everything a lot easier because you’ll feel more prepared and confident.