19 times people stopped overthinking and did what they wanted

Taking the leap from dreaming to doing often requires a potent blend of courage, unwavering perseverance, and sheer determination. It’s the crucial difference between letting aspirations remain mere fantasies and actively pursuing them. However, let’s be honest: summoning the bravery to embark on a planned course of action can be daunting. The very real possibility of failure looms large, making the familiar comfort zone seem infinitely safer, albeit far less fulfilling. We firmly believe that a life truly well-lived is one punctuated by numerous acts of courage.

This collection features inspiring stories from members of the AskReddit community who recount the pivotal moments they decided to cast aside hesitation and pursue their dreams, regardless of the potential obstacles. Dive into their personal narratives for a significant dose of motivation.

If you’ve been seeking a sign to finally pursue what you’ve always wanted, consider this your signal. You have what it takes; go for it!

The journey of stepping outside one's comfort zone and navigating the outcomes of calculated risks is a complex one. To gain further insight, we consulted with Jodi Wellman, MAPP, founder of 'Four Thousand Mondays' and author of "You Only Die Once: How to Make It to the End with No Regrets." Her perspectives offer valuable guidance.

Embracing the Unknown: Stories of Courageous Leaps

#1: From Ledgers to Layers of Deliciousness

I left my secure accounting job to open a bakery. Everyone thought I was crazy, but three years later, I'm earning double my previous salary and genuinely look forward to going to work each morning. The best perk? I get to enjoy cake scraps for breakfast.

A survey by Choice Mutual Insurance, reported by Forbes, explored the contents of Americans' bucket lists. The average participant had 19 aspirations, with a surprising number revolving around travel and financial goals. The most common desire was to visit specific European landmarks, closely followed by similar goals for North America. Traveling by cruise ship ranked fifth, with train travel also appearing on many lists. Visiting all 50 U.S. states was the eighth most frequent item, while specific Asian landmarks were thirteenth, and air travel was nineteenth. Rounding out the top twenty, the desire to see all U.S. national parks was also noted. Financial constraints were cited as the primary barrier to achieving these goals. Many respondents also expressed a desire to become millionaires, retire early, launch businesses, purchase vacation homes, learn new languages, and try skydiving.

#2: Solo Adventures, Amplified Experiences

I used to miss out on many great concerts because I couldn't find anyone to go with, or my companions weren't as enthusiastic as I was. After realizing I could have just as much, if not more, fun going alone, I transformed from attending a couple of shows a year to 29 in that same year. It was the best decision.

#3: Cultivating Creativity, One Reuse at a Time

Years ago, I often thought how wonderful it would be if a secondhand store for art supplies existed. Last year, I discovered creative reuse centers in the U.S. and U.K. and was amazed, lamenting their absence in Belgium. Then, I became pregnant and subsequently quit my job. Next month, I'm launching the first creative reuse center in my country!

"The Roman philosopher Seneca accurately observed, 'Sometimes even to live is an act of courage.' It can be incredibly difficult to initiate our dreams, goals, and ideas because they represent a disruption to our current comfortable existence. They also trigger fears of rejection, failure, or even success, any of which might require significant emotional resilience," Wellman, founder of 'Four Thousand Mondays,' explained. "It's simply easier to remain inactive!"

To live with greater intention, Wellman suggests a powerful exercise: imagine yourself on your deathbed. "Looking back on your life, what paths not taken might you regret? Research consistently shows that we tend to regret the things we didn't do more than the mistakes we made," she stated. "Would you rather feel pride in having pursued a goal, even if it didn't fully materialize, or would you prefer the feeling of having played it safe? Most people need this prompt to take action because we fear losing the distinct feelings of pride, potential success, and happiness—the awareness that we cared enough about our lives to 'give it a go'."

#4: Alaskan Solitude and Self-Reliance

I purchased a one-way ticket to Alaska and lived in a cabin for a year. I learned to fish, chop wood, and survive without Netflix. It was the most challenging yet most rewarding year of my life.

#5: Fighting for Family, Securing Futures

After my divorce, my ex-husband, with a superior lawyer, secured 60/40 custody. As the children grew older, they expressed a desire not to live with him. As a single mother struggling to make ends meet, I had to confront them directly: "This will be difficult, are you sure you want this? It will be expensive and likely heartbreaking." Their responses revealed his history of driving under the influence with them in the car, and worse. I knew I had to pursue full custody, no matter the cost or emotional toll. The legal battle was arduous, involving false accusations to CPS and unwarranted police visits. Ultimately, after spending approximately $10,000, I gained primary custody, ensuring my children's safety and prioritizing their education, a value their father never shared. They were able to participate in sports, something he often neglected, and build healthy friendships. My now 19-year-old is pursuing nuclear engineering on a full scholarship, and my 16-year-old excels academically with a 4.0 GPA and participates actively in sports. Their father, sadly, has struggled with alcoholism and unemployment for years.

#6: Societal Timelines vs. Personal Fulfillment

I grew tired of waiting for the "right time" to have a baby as a single woman. I used a donor, and my daughter is now the absolute joy of my life. Society's prescribed timeline doesn't fit everyone's journey.

Navigating Risk and Redefining Failure

It's important to acknowledge that not every risk yields the intended results. However, for those who have experienced consistent success, we celebrate with you! When asked about recovering from setbacks after dedicating significant effort to a goal, Wellman suggested redefining the concept of failure.

"Failure isn't a reflection of our inherent flaws; it's an indicator of something profoundly important. Failure signifies that we've ventured into new territory, choosing the possibility of aliveness over stagnation. A vibrantly lived life necessitates exploring new landscapes, taking risks, and sampling the richness of what life offers," she told us. "Viewed this way, failure becomes a litmus test of truly living with intention. A lack of failure might suggest we're playing it too safe. When a plan, goal, or dream doesn't materialize, it's an opportunity to learn, recalibrate, and celebrate the courage it took to attempt something that mattered."

#7: The Indie Game Dream and a Reality Check

In 2011, I quit my job to become an indie game developer. With $40,000 saved, I naively assumed I'd be profitable quickly. I spent four years doing virtually nothing as my savings dwindled. When I finally returned to employment, I had just $37 left. Despite the financial outcome, I'm glad I tried. I learned that I'm not suited for self-employment in that manner, and paradoxically, two of those four years were among the happiest periods of my life.

#8: Love Across Continents and Blended Families

I relocated across the globe, leaving behind a lucrative career to marry my long-distance partner and become a stepfather. This move pushed me far beyond my comfort zone and has been the most profoundly rewarding experience of my life.

#9: Trusting the Process in a New City

I once decided to move to a new city without a job lined up, intending to figure things out as I went. It was incredibly stressful initially, but it eventually paid off. I forged strong friendships, discovered a career I genuinely enjoy, and learned to trust the process more implicitly.

While a career doesn't define a person entirely, it offers insights into their values and how they wish to be perceived. Similarly, the career aspirations of young people can reflect broader societal trends. A 2021 YouGov survey revealed distinct dream jobs among teenage boys and girls in the U.S., yet significant common ground existed, particularly in the desire to entertain. For instance, 12% of American teenage boys aspire to be professional athletes, 11% aim to be online content creators, 6% envision themselves as musicians, 6% hope to become professional gamers, and 5% aspire to be doctors or nurses. Among teenage girls, 13% dream of becoming doctors or nurses, 11% want to be actresses, 9% aim for musical careers, 7% aspire to be artists, and 6% consider being YouTubers or streamers an appealing profession.

#10: From Bookstore Management to Artistic Mastery

As an artist, I managed a bookstore for years due to my unreliable, alcoholic, and gambling husband. When he left me for another woman in 1990, I connected with an antique store and began hand-painting furniture for them, which later expanded into wall murals and museum reproductions. I worked as a full-time professional artist for 25 years until my retirement. My income slightly exceeded that of a teacher, I was entirely self-supporting, and I adored my work. I employed four people, and we had a fantastic time. This career path would never have materialized if my former husband hadn't been unfaithful.

#11: Educational Attainment Amidst Adversity

I returned to finish my degree during my divorce. For two and a half years, our family of three lived on less than $18,000 annually. My income has since increased to $45,000, and I now have my dream job teaching 6th-grade reading. I finally feel like I'm where I belong.

#12: Embracing Vulnerability, Forging Connection

I've always struggled with self-confidence, finding it difficult to be my authentic self or express my thoughts around strangers. Then, I met a friend of a friend at a party. Nobody introduced us, but I decided I liked her and would project confidence, even if I didn't feel it, because "fake it till you make it" can sometimes work. I struck up a conversation as if we were already friends, and we connected within hours. She then mirrored my tactic and kissed me as if we were already a couple. We've been together for eight years.

True bravery isn't the absence of fear; it's the act of doing what you desire, need, or must, despite feeling terrified. Not every risk will pay off. However, with optimism about the future, confidence in your abilities, and a strong sense of Hope (with a capital 'H'), you can determine if something is worth pursuing. You're investing your time, energy, money, and health for your dreams. These aspirations are deeply personal. Some are inherently more attainable than others. One person might aim to expand their horizons through travel, having never left their hometown. Another might strive for a healthier lifestyle or dream of playing the guitar well enough to entertain friends. Someone else might want to travel the world, start a business, become a globally recognized athlete, finally leave a soul-crushing job, publish a book, or even venture into space.

#13: A Spontaneous Change, A Rewarding Relationship

On a whim, I changed my profile from "Male seeking Female" to "Male seeking Male." Shortly after, I matched with a charming guy. This March marks our fifth year together, and I've never been happier.

#14: A Mid-Career Pivot to the Digital Frontier

Back in 2000, at age 40, I had spent my entire adult life in warehousing, working my way up to manager. I was laid off after 13 years. Noticing the higher earning potential of programmers, I informed my wife I was going to teach myself to code. I invested heavily in books on SQL, VB, and Perl—a challenging endeavor. Twenty-four years later, I am a Director of Analytics and still actively coding.

#15: The Sabbatical That Redefined Life

After reading countless stories of people quitting their jobs to travel, I decided to do the same in 2022. I resigned from my comfortable, well-paying position and embarked on a year-long sabbatical in Japan. It was the greatest decision of my life. I met numerous people, explored Japan extensively, and lived in various locations, free from work stress, my primary concern being my next meal. While I depleted most of my savings, and the following year was challenging, I would do it again. The memories I created are invaluable. The only downside is the constant longing to return, as everyday life now feels dull in comparison.

All these aspirations are within the realm of possibility but require effort, research, and considerable persistence. Courage is essential, but it's not the sole ingredient. Initiating a venture is one thing; maintaining the discipline, willpower, and mental fortitude to see it through, despite setbacks, is another. Therefore, courage must become a habit, fostering the daily energy to move closer to your dreams. You must cultivate a deep-seated belief that the struggle and self-doubt will ultimately be worthwhile. Crucially, you must genuinely enjoy the process. If your ambition is to become a renowned painter or writer, passion for the craft is paramount. If you don't truly enjoy these activities, your motivation might stem from the prestige they offer, prompting a search for alternative avenues of authentic creative expression.

#16: From Library Crush to Lifelong Love

In college, I used to see a beautiful girl across the library and spent an entire semester telling myself I'd eventually work up the courage to speak to her. One day, while chatting with the librarian (an old family friend), I heard someone approaching. I told myself, "If I turn around and it's her, I'm going to ask her out." I knew full well it wouldn't be her, given the thousands of students on campus. To my astonishment, when I turned, it was her. I managed to stammer out a couple of lines from my favorite movie, and we became friends. She had just ended a difficult relationship and wasn't ready to commit, but after months of persistence, she gave me a chance. Over a decade later, we're still together, raising two wonderful children and a dog. If you get a chance, take it. Take it while you have the opportunity.

#17: A Risky Investment with Mixed Results

I abandoned my conservative "only buy mutual funds" strategy and invested $20,000 in an individual stock. I am now the proud owner of that stock, currently valued at $6,000.

#18: A Decade of Exploration, A Lifetime of Experience

After backpacking for three months, I decided to continue my travels indefinitely. I gave notice to my employer and canceled my university enrollment, which was set to begin in four weeks. I spent nearly ten years traveling, venturing far and wide. Now, since last year, I'm beginning to settle down due to a serious relationship. It was profoundly worthwhile; those ten years have sometimes felt like 50 years of accumulated experience.

Which of these stories resonated most with you? What are the most significant risks you've taken that have paid off? Which opportunities did you seize that you're glad you didn't ignore? Conversely, have you taken risks that resulted in failure? How did you move past those experiences? We'd love to hear about your current and past dreams and aspirations in the comments.

#19: Into the Unknown: Volcanoes and Valleys

I started dating a man who frequently went on volcano expeditions. About three months into our relationship, he invited me to join him in Vanuatu. I declined due to the expense and difficulty taking time off work. The regret was immediate and profound, realizing this was a rare opportunity. The day he returned, I told him, "No matter when or how much it costs, next time I'm going with you." A year later, he excitedly shared plans for his next trip. Assuming it was back to Vanuatu, I matched his enthusiasm until he revealed, "Guess where we're going?" Pack your bags, we're going to the Congo. My friends jokingly refer to my father as "Liam Neeson" because he's always been able to track me down anywhere in the world. When I told him about this trip, he was terrified and pleaded with me not to go. He emphasized, "Please don't go, I CANNOT help you there. I can help you anywhere else, but not there." This warning deeply unsettled me, but I remained resolute. It was the most challenging, rewarding, and awe-inspiring experience of my life, and likely will remain so.

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