The other morning, I grabbed my trainers and headphones, exited my apartment building and quickly hoofed up the road on a route that I often take when I’m on early morning autopilot mode.

Happy on my so-called mindless hammie wheel, and deep in podcast mode, all was well until I unwittingly took a ‘wrong’ turn and got lost.

Yes, I got lost in my so-called suburban back garden. Can you believe it?

Now, totally awake, aware, and conscious of my surroundings, I found myself cruising up and down streets I never knew existed, all the while marvelling at this newly minted world that had opened up before me.

It had taken eight years of living in this neighbourhood to remind myself about how important it is to take risks and go in search of adventure.

That step off my beaten track had ultimately led me down a hill, to a mural on a homeowner’s wall of a surfer standing next to the ocean with the following quote (that I love) carefully hand painted next to it….

“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So, throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.”

Magically happening upon that motivational quote by H. Jackson Brown Jr. (and not Mark Twain, widely credited for it) was a gift.

It was a beautiful note to self on the importance of breaking the daily mould and trying new things.

Throwing off those bowlines, getting off the beaten track, and sailing away from same old same old, has a ton of mental health benefits.

And who doesn’t need more of that?

To name a few:

  • Better memory – New tasks act like a sharpener for the brain.
  • Sharper focus – Helps you stop running on autopilot like I was.
  • New brain cells and neural networks – They say you can’t teach an old dog new tricks! Who doesn’t want a bigger brain?
  • Confidence and courage – Choosing harder challenges helps you better cope with uncertainty and change—a given in life.
  • Self-discovery – You may realise that you actually like playing pickleball!
  • New perspectives – Stepping out of your comfort zone changes how you see your world, your life, and even your neighbourhood.
  • Less stress and anxiety – Focusing on something new gives you a break from the daily ruminations that can drag you down.
  • Free “feel-good” chemicals – Increased dopamine, serotonin and BDNF (brain-derived neurotrophic factor—the brain’s natural fertilizer that supports the growth of new brain cells). Yes please!
  • Deep rest – Your body and brain will thank you for breaking your normal patterns, habits and routines. Can you feel that sigh of relief?

So now, in AIRBORNE speak, it’s time to Illuminate Your Edge and ask yourself…

Where in your life have you been running on autopilot for too long?

What bowlines are you holding onto that are keeping you safely – but perhaps too safely – in the harbour?

And what is the smallest step off your beaten track that you could take this week?

I’m all ears if you’re happy to share!

Till next month,

Here’s to letting go,

 

Take care,