Live Life to the Fullest: How to Create Possibilities, Embrace Adventure, and Avoid Regrets

Clearing Away Regrets

I’m helping my friend clean out his garage to make room for his latest hobby.

“Is this your box of stuff to give away?” I ask as I notice a box full of barely used items in the back of his truck.

“Yes.”

“You’re giving away these boots?” I ask as I poke through his stack of regrets. “Have you ever worn them?”

“Don’t make me go through that box again. It just makes me mad.”

Everybody I know has bought something that later they wish they hadn’t.

But do we return it? Sell it? Give it away??

Or do we hold on to it because we can’t admit that we wasted money on it and insist that we will someday use it as it takes up space in the garage??

Or worse, we hide it in a storage shed we pay for monthly.

If we hold on to those things, are we limiting ourselves to becoming caretakers of things we don’t need or use??

Do we allow it to make us feel stuck in the land of remorse?

The Cost of Owning Things

The ancient Stoics believed in focusing on the true worth (axia) of things rather than their monetary value. They believed that the cost of an item wasn't just what they sold it for, but also what it cost the owner to own it.?

The true cost of something is the price we pay in terms of our mental and emotional well-being.

This is a powerful practice that can help us avoid the trap of materialism and consumerism.?

When we focus on the true worth, and the true cost of something, we are more likely to make thoughtful and intentional purchases, rather than giving into impulse buying or keeping up with the latest trends.

By recognizing the true cost of our desire for material goods, we can also cultivate a sense of serenity and peace. We can let go of the anxiety and stress that often come with the pressure to acquire more and more possessions.

In today's society, it's easy to get caught up in the cycle of consumerism and the belief that material possessions will bring us happiness and fulfillment.?

But the Stoics remind us that true happiness comes from within and that focusing on the true worth of things can help us cultivate a more peaceful and contented life.

Limitations or Possibilities

“If you argue for your limitations you get to keep them. But if you argue for your possibilities you get to create them!” ― Kelly Lee Phipps

How do we argue for our possibilities instead of our limitations?

This quote is all about mindset. It's about recognizing that the way we think and talk about ourselves and our abilities can either hold us back or propel us forward.

Retirement

Many people view retirement as a time to slow down and take it easy, which is perfectly fine.?

However, it doesn't have to be the end of the road. Retirement can be a time to explore new hobbies, travel to new places, and even start a new career or business venture.?

It's all about how you approach it.

If you argue for your limitations, you might say things like "I'm too old to learn something new" or "I don't have the energy to travel."?

But if you argue for your possibilities, you might say things like "I've always wanted to learn how to paint" or "I can't wait to visit that country I've always dreamed of."?

By focusing on the possibilities, you open yourself up to new experiences and opportunities.

Content Creation

Whether you're a blogger, YouTuber, or social media influencer, there are endless possibilities when it comes to creating content.?

But it's easy to fall into the trap of thinking that you're not good enough or that your ideas aren't original enough.

If you argue for your limitations, you might say things like "I'm not smart enough" or "I have nothing interesting to say."?

But if you argue for your possibilities, you might say things like "I have a unique perspective on this topic" or "I'm excited to share my passion with others."?

By focusing on your strengths and your potential, you can create content that is truly inspiring and engaging.

Day Trip Travel

We love day trip traveling.?

Whether you're exploring a new city or taking a hike in the great outdoors, day trips are a fantastic way to break up a routine and experience new things.?

But it's easy to fall into the trap of thinking that you don't have the time or the resources to travel.

If you argue for your limitations, you might say things like "I can't take time off work," or "I don't have the money to travel.”

But if you argue for your possibilities, you might say things like "I can take a day off and explore a nearby city" or "I can plan a budget-friendly day trip to a nearby state park or museum."?

Adjusting Desires

You can find ways to get around any limitations.

“The two happiest days in a boat owner's life: the day you buy the boat, and the day you sell the boat.”

While cleaning the garage and moving the boat and motor around, Toby tells me, “It’s time to sell the boat and trailer.”

“But I thought we were going to do day trips with the boat.”?

“There are no close lakes, so every trip would take more than a day. It’s just not feasible for us and I’m too old for the effort it takes.”

“Are you sure? I can help.”

“I was reminiscing about sailing, not thinking about the reality and logistics involved.”

See the Boating on a Budget playlist on our NM Day Trips YouTube channel to learn more.

Toby loves to go out on a boat with his family and he fondly remembers when he would take his children on sailing trips.

When he visits his adult children in Florida or South Carolina, they all go out boating together.?

But he no longer wants the responsibility of owning a boat.

We also want to dig for gold and go prospecting, but we don’t have the time and energy to go places where we might find good pay dirt. Instead, we can buy pay dirt online and process it to look for gold at home.?

Learn more on our YouTube channel, Garage Prospecting .

What limitations can you turn into possibilities?

Memories vs. Reality

As we age, we may reminisce about the activities we enjoyed in our youth, such as boating, skiing, mountain biking, or other physically demanding hobbies.?

While it's perfectly natural to look back on these memories fondly, it's important to recognize that our physical abilities may have changed.

Trying to relive our glory days by participating in these activities again, without acknowledging our limitations, can lead to disappointment and even injury.?

It's important to distinguish between enjoying these activities as they are now, versus trying to recreate an experience that may no longer be possible.

For example, if we used to enjoy biking in our youth, but now have trouble with balance or endurance, we can still enjoy cycling by adapting to our current abilities. This may mean using an electric bike or choosing a more leisurely route.

Similarly, if we used to love boating, but now have mobility issues or other physical limitations, we can still enjoy being on the water by finding accessible ways to do so, such as renting a boat or going on a boat tour.

The key is to approach these activities with a mindset of enjoyment, rather than trying to relive a past experience that may no longer be feasible.?

A Bucket List

Living without regrets is a goal that many of us strive for. We want to look back on our lives and feel proud of the experiences we had and the things we accomplished.?

One way to achieve this is to try new things, even if we're not sure we can do them.

This is especially important when it comes to our bucket list. A bucket list is a list of things we want to do or accomplish before we die.?

We can fill it with anything from travel destinations to personal goals.?

But sometimes we can be hesitant to pursue these items on our list because we're not sure if we can actually achieve them.

However, if we approach our bucket list with the mindset of trying things before determining if we can or cannot do them, we open ourselves up to new experiences and possibilities.?

We may surprise ourselves with what we are capable of.

For example, if one of the items on our bucket list is to climb a mountain, we may initially think that it's impossible for us.?

But if we approach it with the attitude of trying, we may discover that with training, determination, and support, we are able to climb that not-too-steep mountain trail and check it off our list.

Similarly, if we have a goal of writing a novel, we may feel intimidated by the idea of writing a book. But if we start by writing a few pages a day, we may find that the words start to flow and we are able to accomplish our goal.

Toby and I proved that by writing our first novel together, A Gypsy’s Kiss, followed by two non-fiction books, Women in Podcasting, and Livecast Life.?

Find our books on Amazon at books.agkmedia.studio .

Living without regrets means taking risks and trying new things.?

It means approaching life with an open mind and a willingness to explore our potential.?

Our bucket list is a reflection of our desires and dreams, and by pursuing them with a spirit of adventure, we can create a life that we're proud of.

Pursue the items on your bucket list. It's better to try and fail than to never try at all.?

You may surprise yourself with what you're capable of and create a life filled with adventure, growth, and fulfillment.?

With the right attitude and a willingness to adapt, we can continue to find joy and fulfillment in the activities we love, no matter our age or physical ability.

By focusing on possibilities instead of limitations, we can create a life full of adventure and creativity.?

So go out there, my friends, and create the life you've always dreamed of!

If you’re dreaming of starting your own YouTube channel, podcast, or blog, reach out to share your vision with us when you schedule a free video chat at consulting.agkmedia.studio .