You Don't Have to Hate Your Life to Want Something Different

Have you ever looked around at your life and thought:

Everything is fine. So why am I wondering if I want something different?

I’ve been thinking about that lately.

We often assume change happens because something is wrong. We leave a job because we hate it. We move because we’re unhappy where we live. We change relationships, routines or lifestyles because something isn't working.

But what if nothing is actually wrong? What if you have a good life - and you're simply wondering whether there might be something else you want to experience?

That’s a very different question.

When “good” makes change harder

It’s easy to know you need a change when you're miserable. It’s much harder when life is good. You start wondering: What would I gain? What would I give up? Am I being unrealistic? Why change something that isn't broken?

But maybe good and right for me now aren't always the same thing.

We change as we go through life. Our priorities change. Our relationships change. Our circumstances change. The things that mattered to us 10 years ago may not be the things that matter most today.

And that's okay. I don't believe we reach a certain age and suddenly have everything figured out. I certainly haven't. I still want adventures. I still have dreams. I still get excited by possibilities. I still wonder, “What if?” And I hope I never stop.

Curiosity isn't a commitment

One thing I'm learning is that wondering about something doesn't mean you have to do it. You can explore a new career idea without quitting your job. You can dream about a trip without booking the ticket. You can consider moving, starting a business, taking a course, joining a group or completely changing how you spend your Saturday mornings. You’re allowed to explore.

Sometimes the answer will be, “Yes! I want this.” Other times, exploring something reminds you how much you appreciate what you already have. Both are valuable.

Curiosity isn't a commitment.

What do YOU want?

This is really what Jackie Doing Jackie is about. Not what should you do. Not what would everyone else do. Not what makes the most sense to someone looking at your life from the outside.

What do YOU want?

You don't need to have the answer today. You don't need a five-year plan, and you certainly don't need to turn your life upside down.

But pay attention to the questions that keep coming back. Pay attention to what excites you. Pay attention to what you're curious about. Maybe you'll discover you already have exactly what you want. Or maybe you'll discover you're ready for something different.

You don't have to hate your life to want something different.

Sometimes you're simply ready to find out what else might be possible. Plan enough to have direction. Stay flexible enough to have an adventure. Remember its your life to change if you want.

Jackie Doing Jackie

Jackie Kloosterboer is the woman behind Jackie Doing Jackie, sharing adventures, lessons learned and thoughts about creating your next chapter. Her message is simple: you don’t need to have it all figured out - you just need the confidence to take the next step.