The only way to truly live and thrive, is to challenge yourself on a daily basis. Go out, meet new people, try that new sport, or start a new side hustle. Once we fall into a familiar pattern, stop stepping out of our comfort zone, we start fading into the abyss. In other words we start dying, on the inside at least. Routines are great for structure, not so much for a way of life. Living the same day, every day is not only boring but a recipe for regret.
Time does not pass by any quicker as we get older. Years, weeks, days and minutes are passing by just as fast as they used to. You might just be doing the same things, at the same time, with the same people over and over again. Days all start blending together, then you wake up fifty years later and ask why it all went by so quickly.
If you feel like time is moving fast, just get down and put yourself into a plank position. Start the timer and see how long two minutes will last. Then the next morning, wake up early and do a twenty one minute Vinyasa yoga session. Let me know, how long that felt like it took. As well as, how great you felt after you finished.
Perception
Time is a matter of perception, the more comfortable you get in your everyday life, the faster it will pass by. This is where challenge comes into the equation. Change up that morning routine, start your day with something fresh and different. Wake up twenty minutes earlier and go for a walk, think about the elements of life that can be improved, or upgraded. Take some deep breaths, stretch and move every once in a while & come back into the present moment. Snap out of overthinking by standing up from a desk, or chair, or the couch and start moving. Raise your heart rate with some skipping, slow it down with a deep breath in, and a prolonged exhale out.
Being playful in life is something we should all strive for. We don’t stop playing because we get old, we get old because we stop playing. And in order to play a game, a challenge is needed.
When was the last time you did something stupid, exciting, or spontaneous?
Playfulness isn’t just a human trait – it is woven into the fabric of life itself. You see it in the way a dog chases its tail, cats jump around and climb anything around them, or even how dolphins leap through waves for no reason other than joy. It’s like nature’s way of reminding us that existence doesn’t always have to be serious or goal-driven.
Playfulness sparks creativity, keeps us connected, and lets us recharge in a world that often demands too much. Think about it – some of the best moments in life come when we let go and just mess around, whether it’s a silly game with friends or a quiet, goofy moment alone. It’s almost as if play is the secret sauce that keeps us sane and thriving.
The basic premise is that we are supposed to grow up as fast as possible. Get serious and fall into the predictable rhythm of adult life, chasing milestones like careers and mortgages. Society nudges us toward a script where stability trumps adventure, and conformity often overshadows curiosity.
Challenge and difficulty
Problems and setbacks are a part of life, each and every one of us have them. There is no way around this peculiar thing called life. In fact our brain is wired so that if we don’t have any problems, we eventually create them. Meaning comes from solving problems, so when we have none, there is no meaning to life. No direction in our pursuits, no challenge to overcome.
It is wise to always optimise the level of difficulty when pursuing a goal though. Just the right amount of challenge, supported by immediate and constant feedback. Imagine you are playing a game. If the game is too easy, you get bored and stop playing. If it is too hard you get anxious, frustrated, and might give up on the entire thing. The same rules apply to life.
Keep in mind that, the only thing that is absolutely certain in every one of our lives, is change.
Look at it from a perspective of working out. Our muscles grow, so the load gets easier to lift. You always increase it while progressing right? Otherwise a workout just becomes really boring, very quickly. It also has to hurt a little, our muscles actually tear slightly every time we work out. That is how we grow, with pain, no other way.
If it were easy, everybody would do it!
Our brain
Perhaps this neurological fun fact will help with the process. There is a special area in the brain called the anterior mid-cingulate cortex. It is involved in a variety of functions, including decision making, motivation, and the processing of pain and effort.
This area of the brain expands when, we do things we DO NOT like doing. The more you hate doing something, the more your brain likes it. And once you are finished with the painful activity, that feeling of calm after the storm. How many other ways is there to achieve that state of mind and being. Coming back to the statement from the beginning – Step out of your comfort zone. Repeatedly.
On the other hand, that brain area shrinks when we start getting comfortable with a new habit. Smooth waters have no need for a skilled sailor, therefore the brain gets lazy.
So let’s get busy doing things we do not like doing. Every time you finish a day filled with challenging tasks it feels good right? An active lifestyle fills us with energy. The harder the workout session, the better the feeling after it. Everything just feels so much better, when we have to fight for it.
“May we forever remember, that in each and every moment we’re composing stories of our lives, let’s aim to make it a meaningful read… or at least an interesting one.”
– Johnny Depp in the movie: The Professor –
