Courage, perseverance, and determination can mean the difference between actively chasing your dreams and merely daydreaming about them. But let’s not be naive. Finding the bravery to go through your plans can be incredibly difficult. Suddenly, there’s a genuine chance of failing. It’s much safer—but far less rewarding—to always stay in your comfort zone. And, we’d argue that a well-lived life is done with lots of courage.
Today, we’re featuring some of the AskReddit community members’ best stories about the moments when they decided to say ‘to heck with it’ and went for their dreams, regardless of how hard things might get. Scroll down to read their tales and a huge dose of inspiration! Oh, and if you were looking for a sign to do what you’ve always wanted to, dear Pandas, this is it. You’ve got this, go for it!
Bored Panda was curious about how we can all leave our comfort zones and what to do if our risks don't actually pay off, so we got in touch with Jodi Wellman, MAPP. She is the founder of 'Four Thousand Mondays' and the author of the book 'You Only Die Once: How to Make It to the End with No Regrets.' You'll find the insights she shared with us below.
#21
Changed my profile from Male looking for Female to Male looking for Male on a whim.
I matched a cute guy shortly after, March will be out 5th year together and I've never been happier.
I matched a cute guy shortly after, March will be out 5th year together and I've never been happier.
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29points
#22
I applied for a base level job (retired just wanted something to do) they rang and interviewed/offered for a open position that is 4 levels up. Thought why not and accepted. Kind of nervous now since it's been years out of the workforce, but what the hell, I will give it a shot.
28points
#23
Facebook kept suggesting a guy I’d gone on one date with in my People You May Know. We’d both had close deaths after the date and lost touch. I figured “f**k it why not” and messaged him. We’ve been together 6 years now. Married, have a house, a bunch of dogs, a toddler, and one more kid on the way. It kind of worked out.
27points
#24
This was back in 2000 I was 40, had worked in Warehousing my whole adult life, worked my way up to manager, and got laid off after 13 years.
I saw that programmers made a lot more money than warehouse managers so I told my wife I’m going to teach myself how to code. Spent a lot of money at Barnes and Noble and slogged my way through books on SQL, VB, Perl. God what a beating.
But here I am 24 years later Director of Analytics and still coding!
I saw that programmers made a lot more money than warehouse managers so I told my wife I’m going to teach myself how to code. Spent a lot of money at Barnes and Noble and slogged my way through books on SQL, VB, Perl. God what a beating.
But here I am 24 years later Director of Analytics and still coding!
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26points
#25
After reading dozens of threads from people who quit their jobs and just went and travelled, in 2022 I decided I'd do the same. Quit my very nice and comfortable job and went on a one year sabbatical in Japan.
Greatest decision of my life. Met so many people, journeyed all across Japan, staying in different locations all the time, no work stress, just me thinking about what I'll eat the next day.
Yeah, I spent most of my savings and the year afterwards was a bit rough but I'd do it again. The memories I've made are priceless. I guess the only downside is that I just keep thinking back to that year and wish I could go back because regular life is so a*s in comparison.
Greatest decision of my life. Met so many people, journeyed all across Japan, staying in different locations all the time, no work stress, just me thinking about what I'll eat the next day.
Yeah, I spent most of my savings and the year afterwards was a bit rough but I'd do it again. The memories I've made are priceless. I guess the only downside is that I just keep thinking back to that year and wish I could go back because regular life is so a*s in comparison.
23points
#26
Used to see a really pretty girl across the library in college, spent an entire semester telling myself that one day I'd work up the courage to go talk to her.
I was hanging out with the librarian one day (old family friend), when I heard someone walking behind me. Told myself, "if I turn around and it's that girl, I'm gonna ask her out." I knew full well it wouldn't be her when I made that little pact; there were thousands of people at that college.
Well, I almost fainted when i turned around. Guess who? I managed to choke up a two-liner from my favorite movie, and we became friends. She was just out of a bad breakup and wouldn't commit to anything, but after months and months, she gave me a chance.
Over a decade later now, and we're still together. Two wonderful kids and a pupper.
If you got a chance, take it.
Take it while you got a chance.
I was hanging out with the librarian one day (old family friend), when I heard someone walking behind me. Told myself, "if I turn around and it's that girl, I'm gonna ask her out." I knew full well it wouldn't be her when I made that little pact; there were thousands of people at that college.
Well, I almost fainted when i turned around. Guess who? I managed to choke up a two-liner from my favorite movie, and we became friends. She was just out of a bad breakup and wouldn't commit to anything, but after months and months, she gave me a chance.
Over a decade later now, and we're still together. Two wonderful kids and a pupper.
If you got a chance, take it.
Take it while you got a chance.
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21points
#27
Forewent my boring "only buy mutual funds" approach and dropped 20k on an individual stock. I'm now the proud owner of an individual stock worth 6k.
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20points
#28
After backpacking for 3 months, I decided to continue backpacking. Send notice to work, cancelled my University spot that was about to start in 4 weeks.
Spent close to 10 years traveling after that. So, can say that I went pretty far. Now from last year, starting to settle down because of a serious relationship.
So worth it. 10 years have felt like 50 years of experience sometimes.
Spent close to 10 years traveling after that. So, can say that I went pretty far. Now from last year, starting to settle down because of a serious relationship.
So worth it. 10 years have felt like 50 years of experience sometimes.
19points
#29
Was down bad after a divorce and losing my job right after. I was doing odd jobs to make ends meet for 3 months.
One night after dinner I get a call from a women asking for me and if I’d be interested in a job. I asked what the details were and they were real vague. “You’d be driving someone around, doing their tasks, get groceries, take care of kids, travel some just whatever he needs.” And they wouldn’t discuss pay or anything.
Said f**k it took the interview the next day and meet in a high rise downtown and it was about 5 mins long and again was real vague about my job role and pay. Again I said what do I got to lose and went with it.
Ended up working for him for 8 years and was paid very well and they took care of my daughter through several medical emergencies. Got to see the world and fly private majority of the time. I don’t work for him anymore but he has landed me with great connections that have helped me through my career.
One night after dinner I get a call from a women asking for me and if I’d be interested in a job. I asked what the details were and they were real vague. “You’d be driving someone around, doing their tasks, get groceries, take care of kids, travel some just whatever he needs.” And they wouldn’t discuss pay or anything.
Said f**k it took the interview the next day and meet in a high rise downtown and it was about 5 mins long and again was real vague about my job role and pay. Again I said what do I got to lose and went with it.
Ended up working for him for 8 years and was paid very well and they took care of my daughter through several medical emergencies. Got to see the world and fly private majority of the time. I don’t work for him anymore but he has landed me with great connections that have helped me through my career.
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19points
#30
I started dating this guy who would go on trips into volcanos. He invited me with him to Vanuatu when we’d been dating for about three months. I said no because it was so expensive and I didn’t feel like I could take the time off work. I’ve never felt deeper regret, realizing this was an opportunity very few people get. The day he got home I told him, I don’t care when or how much it costs, next time I’m going with you.
He came to me super excited about a year later to announce the next trip was in the works. I matched his energy until he was like, “guess where we’re going?” I assumed back to Vanuatu but he told me, no pack your bags we’re going to the Congo.
My dad is famously referred to as “Liam Neeson” by my friends because he has made a point in the past to prove that he can get boots on the ground to find me anywhere in the world. When I told him about this trip he was scared. He begged me not to go, but I wasn’t going to miss the opportunity again. As the trip got closer he called me and told me emphatically, “Please don’t go, I CANNOT help you there. I can help you anywhere. But not there”. That really freaked me out. But I didn’t back down.
It was the most challenging, most rewarding, and most bada*s thing I’ve ever done and probably will ever do.
He came to me super excited about a year later to announce the next trip was in the works. I matched his energy until he was like, “guess where we’re going?” I assumed back to Vanuatu but he told me, no pack your bags we’re going to the Congo.
My dad is famously referred to as “Liam Neeson” by my friends because he has made a point in the past to prove that he can get boots on the ground to find me anywhere in the world. When I told him about this trip he was scared. He begged me not to go, but I wasn’t going to miss the opportunity again. As the trip got closer he called me and told me emphatically, “Please don’t go, I CANNOT help you there. I can help you anywhere. But not there”. That really freaked me out. But I didn’t back down.
It was the most challenging, most rewarding, and most bada*s thing I’ve ever done and probably will ever do.
15points