Are you afraid of change?

Quick Disclaimer: This is an opinion-based piece to share my thoughts on the topic.

Life is a crazy journey, and it can be quite scary at times. There are endless options for what to do and who to be. So how are we supposed to find the path that's right for us? That brings us happiness, fulfillment, purpose, and of course a living. It's hard when there are so many options and so many people telling us that path A is better than path B, while others say the opposite.

Our choices earlier on in this journey of discovery, of trial and error, usually rest on our parents. They determine if we should try out a sport, an extracurricular, play an instrument, or even develop a hobby. Some of these things will stand the test of time, and our rebellious teen years, while majority of them are tossed to the side and replaced with something new.

By the time we graduate High School, we are faced with one of the first real life decisions: What do we want to do for the rest of our life? It's a pretty daunting choice, and first is the decision to even pursue further education. For some, it's less of a choice and more a requirement, whichever way it sways. But for most people in this position of their life, they must choose a path, and pursue it to the end.

Or maybe not. Just because you major in something, or even spend 40 years of your life doing it, doesn't mean you can't change directions. I know that may seem crazy, to just abandon all that work you put in, but sometimes it's the right choice.

Careers aren't just a means to an end, they're a reflection of our strengths, our passions, our motivations. If you get it right, you can reach the state of 'Ikigai.'

Essentially, it's a perfect balance between your strengths, your passion, your purpose, and the monetary outcome of the "career." This is a pretty hard thing to obtain or strive for, but even just getting a few of these elements in you profession is a gamechanger for your life. Like the popular quote "Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life."

Although every profession may provide challenges and hardships, you are more likely to fight past them if it's something you're passionate about. But in the case you've spent your time and effort into something that doesn't have at least two of the elements of 'Ikigai,' then maybe a shift in direction is a good move to make. Are you willing to take the risk? Are you willing to give up everything you've put into the former to chase the possibility of a better life?

Many people have made the leap, and many have done it late in their lives and careers. A lot of them even make multiple shifts until they reach that point of success, however they may define it.

For some real-life examples, popular YouTuber and online personality Andrew Rea, creator of the channel 'Babish Culinary Universe' (formerly known as 'Binging with Babish') randomly decided to make a video about recreating a burger from 'Parks & Rec' at almost 30 years old. He has now amassed nearly 10 Million Subscribers, published 2 Best Selling Cookbooks, and launched his own successful line of cookware since 2016.

Another prime example is Founder and CMO of Huel, Julian Hearn. After creating and selling a successful company, he founded Huel and launched it out of his garage at over 40 years old. After just 5 years of growing the company, it pulled in over $72 Million in revenue that year and is valued at around $220 Million.

The evidence is there that changing direction, no matter how small or how drastic, can lead to wild amounts of success. But even without the incentive of a monetary gain, why would you refuse to take the leap for an internal gain? To be able to wake up and do something you love, something impactful, something true to you. What's stopping you? Money? Stability? Fear?

All valid concerns in making a major life pivot, especially after dumping your life into something you're about to leave behind. But a change in perspective could be the little push you need. Are you leaving you life behind, or are you finally pursing it? Is it a risk, or is it an opportunity? You have to assess the pros and cons, maybe it's not the right time. But maybe it never will be, maybe it doesn't have to be.

Millions of people wake up, go to work, sit around, go to sleep, and repeat. An endless loop of a never changing cycle of monotonous life. Few of them decide to break out, and chase their passion, their purpose, their dream. Whether or not you're in that situation, just remember you're never truly locked in place. No matter how stuck you may feel, you can always break the loop, you can always strive for more.

So why settle? Why get comfortable? Why give in, when there's endless possibilities? You only have one life on this beautiful planet of Earth, so why waste it? Don't just merely exist, don't just survive, go out there and live.