Did you know that pickles are really just cucumbers? Weird, right? Maybe you love one and hate the other, but at the end of the day, they’re actually the same thing. We don’t give much thought to that fun fact, but we do think about the idea of pickle jars frequently. Because for us, there’s life in the pickle jar and then there’s life outside of it.
Life inside of the pickle jar is pretty cramped. You follow what everyone else is doing, stay inside of your comfort zone, and never branch out to see how far you can go. But life outside of the pickle jar? This is a life of adventure, opportunities, and unimaginable success. By choosing not to follow the crowd and living life on your terms, you’ll find yourself happier than you ever thought possible. If you ask us, that’s a life worth pursuing! Here’s why.
You’ll learn not to settle.
How many times in life have you settled simply because you were comfortable? This is the reason so many people end up in mediocre jobs, mediocre relationships, and so on. But, by getting out of the comfort of your pickle jar, you’ll quickly learn that there is so much out there for you to experience! Much more, in fact, than you probably ever expected.
You’ll become brave.
Don’t get us wrong, life inside the pickle jar is not bad. You’re doing what you’re expected to do, making everyone around you happy, and you’re fulfilling what you believe is your purpose. Go, you! But, by venturing outside of that, you’ll notice a bravery in yourself that you didn’t even know you had. Think about it; it’s scary to be out on your own, going against what’s “normal.” But, because you’ve committed to getting out of the jar, bravery is truly your only option. And that bravery will lead you to greater success than the walls of your pickle jar ever could.
You’ll avoid the “what-ifs.”
What if I hadn’t been afraid to move across the country? What if I hadn’t passed up that opportunity? The worst thing you can do is regret not taking the chances you had while they were available to you. And by staying inside of a bubble your entire life, you’ll never know what you’re missing out on! So, get out there and say “yes” to new things. Find something you’re passionate about and just go for it. If you fail, you fail. But at least you won’t be left wondering what could’ve been.
You’ll meet like-minded people.
Guess what? There are other pickles out there making a life outside of the pickle jar, too! How awesome is that? These are the types of people you want to surround yourself with: the ones who are eagerly seeking something more from life. These people know that life in the pickle jar is just one tiny part of the whole picture. Find them, learn from one another, and help each other grow.
You’ll learn to handle adversity.
Life isn’t always easy. In fact, there are going to be lots of challenges on your way to where you want to be. And one could argue that by leaving the pickle jar, you’ll be faced with more problems than you would by staying put. But you know what? Adversity is the only way we grow. It’s the only way we become stronger people. And as you go through more challenges, you’ll find yourself facing them with more grit and determination than ever before.
I’m ready! How do I get started?
Do all these benefits sound great to you? Are you now excited to get yourself out of the pickle jar? Cool! So, how do you make your escape? Here are a few keys:
- Baby steps! Start by challenging yourself to get uncomfortable in a small way and then increase from there.
- Be okay with making mistakes—after all, nobody’s perfect!
- Consider things from a new perspective.
- Believe in yourself. Things could go wrong, but they could also go right!
- Stop overthinking.
Yes, it will require hard work. And yes, you may want to quit and hop right back into the comfort of the pickle jar the second something goes wrong. But let us be the first to tell you, life outside of the pickle jar is far greater than you could ever imagine. Stick with it!
Looking for some other ways to change your life? Try out these three transformative challenges!
